Skill: Bilateral Hand Use

The ability to use both hands together as a team. We use this for almost everything, like holding the paper with one hand while cutting with the other, or buttoning a shirt.

Ribbon Bridge Button Slide

Ribbon Bridge Button Slide

Steps:

  • Secure a large piece of cardboard to a flat table using masking tape.
  • Cut four pieces of ribbon, each about three inches long.
  • Tape both ends of each ribbon piece to the cardboard to create small, tight bridges.
  • Space the bridges out in a straight or winding line across the board.
  • Place a colorful button at the start of the bridge path.
  • Challenge your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to slide the button under each bridge.
  • They must push the button all the way to the end without lifting it off the cardboard!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small buttons are a choking hazard. Keep materials away from the mouth.

The Paper Roll Spy Tubes

The Paper Roll Spy Tubes

Steps:

  • Hold two cardboard paper rolls side by side.
  • Use masking tape to wrap around the middle of the rolls to stick them together.
  • Decorate the outside of your spy tubes using colorful markers.
  • Use a hole puncher to make one hole on the outside edge of each roll.
  • Thread a piece of yarn through the holes to create a strap.
  • Ask an adult to help tie the yarn ends so the strap is secure.
  • Now, look through your spy tubes to find specific colors in the room!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required while using the hole puncher and yarn to ensure safety.

Fan-Fold Color Towers

Fan-Fold Color Towers

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw bright patterns on three index cards.
  • Show your child how to fold the card back and forth to create a fan or accordion shape.
  • Press each fold firmly with your thumb and index finger to make the creases very sharp.
  • Squeeze a few dots of glue onto a sturdy cardboard base.
  • Stand the folded card upright on the glue to create a wavy tower.
  • Pick up a pom-pom using your pinching fingers and glue it onto the peaks of the paper fans.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using glue to ensure it stays on the craft and away from faces.

The Bubble Wrap Printmaker

The Bubble Wrap Printmaker

Steps:

  • Lay a sheet of bubble wrap on the table.
  • Choose one color of tempera paint.
  • Use the paint brush to cover the bubbles with paint.
  • Place a clean sheet of paper on top of the wet bubbles.
  • Press your hands firmly over the whole paper.
  • Carefully peel the paper back to see the bubble pattern.
  • Repeat with a new color to layer the prints!

Safety Tip:
Paint can be slippery on plastic surfaces. Always supervise your child to ensure they stay safely seated while working.

Foil Pan Table Skater

Foil Pan Table Skater

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to create a winding track on a table.
  • Use markers to draw arrows on the tape to show the way.
  • Place two sponges inside the aluminium foil pan for hand cushions.
  • Have your child stand and place one hand on each sponge.
  • Ask them to slide the pan along the tape path.
  • They should follow the curves without lifting the pan.
  • Encourage them to reach far to the left and right.

Safety Tip:
Make sure the table is at a comfortable height for your child to lean on safely.