Bilateral Hand Use - Page 37 of 104

The Fuzzy Button Link

Steps:

Select several colorful pipe cleaners and a handful of large buttons.
Show your child how to thread a pipe cleaner through a button hole.
Ask them to pull it halfway and twist the end to secure it.
Have them thread the other end through a hole in another button.
Continue connecting buttons with pipe cleaners to form a long link chain.
Challenge your child to see how many links they can add to the chain!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play as buttons and pipe cleaners can be a choking hazard.

The Cardboard Ribbon Slider

Steps:

Help your child cut a rectangular piece of cardboard about the size of a book.
Adult step: Use scissors to poke three narrow slots across the middle of the cardboard.
Make sure the slots are just wide enough for your ribbon to pass through.
Thread a long piece of ribbon through the first slot from the back to the front.
Guide the ribbon back through the second slot, and then out through the third.
Tie a small knot at each end of the ribbon so it cannot be pulled all the way out.
Use masking tape to secure the cardboard to the table if it slides too much.
Have your child use one hand to hold the cardboard and the other to pull the ribbon.
Encourage them to pull the ribbon back and forth through the slots until they finish.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors or handling long pieces of ribbon.

The Bubble Power Road Trip

Steps:

Use masking tape to secure a sheet of bubble wrap to a wall at your child’s shoulder height.
Use a marker to draw a long, wiggly line from the bottom to the top of the bubble wrap.
Place a small stuffed animal at the start of the line.
Tell your child that the stuffed animal needs bubble power to move up the road.
Have your child pop one bubble on the line using their pointer finger.
Once the bubble pops, move the stuffed animal slightly forward along the path.
Continue popping bubbles one by one until the toy reaches the top of the road.
Try using the other hand to help the toy finish its journey!

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard. This activity involves plastic wrap which can be torn into small pieces. Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put bubble wrap in their mouth. Ensure the wall tape is secure.

The Cardboard Tube Ball Lift

Steps:

Place a tennis ball on a flat floor or rug.
Give your child two long cardboard paper towel rolls.
Ask your child to hold one roll in each hand.
Challenge them to squeeze the ball between the ends of the paper rolls.
Once they have a firm grip, lift the ball off the ground.
Ask them to walk slowly toward a basket a few feet away.
Carefully release the ball into the basket without using their hands.
Repeat the challenge with balls of different sizes!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during this activity to prevent them from tripping. Ensure the floor is clear of other toys.

The Sticky Straw Chimney

Steps:

Tape the bottom of a paper roll to a stable table.
Wrap masking tape around the roll with the sticky side out.
Give your child a bunch of colorful straws to hold.
Have them press each straw vertically onto the sticky tape.
Ask them to build a full circle of straws around the roll.
Drop fluffy cotton balls through the top of your straw chimney.
See if you can catch the balls as they pop out!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they do not put straws or cotton balls in their mouth.