Candy Cane
For this activity, we used colorful paper straws and cut each straw into 1-inch pieces.
Ask the child to string the cut straw pieces onto a pipe cleaner.
Bend the top of the pipe cleaner to shape it like a candy cane.
Skill: Cutting
Learning to hold scissors correctly and guide them along a line while holding the paper steady with the other hand. This combines hand strength with coordination.
Christmas Circles Tree
For this activity you will need green (tree), brown (tree trunk), red (ornaments), and yellow (ornaments) construction paper.
Draw different sized circles on the green construction paper. Make sure the circles do not overlap. These will be used to create the tree.
Cut the circles out by following the lines using scissors.
If you have a circle puncher, you can have the child punch circles from the construction paper. This will enhance hand strength.
Instruct the child to use a single hole puncher and punch holes in the yellow and red construction paper. These will be the ornaments on the tree.
Glue the green construction paper circles together in a triangular shape (to resemble a Christmas tree).
Using a pincer grasp, instruct the child to pick up the little yellow and red dots, one at a time, and glue them to the green circles.
Cut a rectangle shape from the brown construction paper. Attach it to the tree as a trunk.
Catch the Turkey
For this activity, you will need a brown construction paper, yellow construction paper, and an orange construction paper. If you don’t have any colored construction paper, you can use a piece of cardboard (an empty cereal box or any other dry food box can be used) and white paper.
On the brown construction paper or cardboard, draw half a circle. This will be the turkey’s body.
Use the orange construction paper and draw a circle big enough to be used as the turkey’s head.
On the yellow construction paper draw a small triangle, to use as the turkey’s beak. If using a white piece of paper, draw a circle and a triangle, and let the child color these shapes orange and yellow.
Ask the child to cut the brown half of a circle, the orange circle, and the triangle.
Have the child glue the orange circle in the middle of the half-circle. Then, provide the child with red tempera or finger paint, ask him to dip his pointer finger in the paint, and then stamp it in the middle of the orange circle. This will be the turkey’s wobble.
Next, use the glue to glue the yellow triangle on the top part of the wobble. Use the marker or crayon to draw the turkey’s eyes. You can also use googly eyes.
Using the clothespins, instruct the child to pick one clothespin at a time, pinch it, and place it on the curved part of the half-circle, stabilizing the paper (turkey’s body) with the non-dominant hand. Cover the turkey’s body with as many clothespins you can. These are the turkey’s feathers.
Grading Option
You can use specific colors of clothespins, draw matching dots of colors on the turkey’s body, and have the child match the color of the clothespin with the colored dot.
Tactile Bowl
Blow up the balloon 1/4 way.
You may tie a knot or tape the tip of the balloon to hold the air in.
Have the child cut the yarn into long strips.
In a bowl, help the child mix the glue and water together until you get a viscid mixture.
Ask the child to dip the strips of yarn in the glue mixture and then use it to wrap around the balloon, starting from bottom to top (the child might need help with the bottom part where the yarn should be rolled tightly).
Encourage the child to use a pincer grasp (tip grasp) to take the yarn pieces out of the mixture.
Continue until the balloon is 3/4 covered in yarn. Allow to dry, then pop the balloon and take it out.
To make the bowl colorful, use different colors of yarn.
Construction Paper Guitar
Using a large piece of cardboard or construction paper, draw the shape of the guitar’s body. If the child is able to draw it by himself, allow him to do so. Otherwise, let the child trace your drawing, using a thick marker.
Ask the child to cut out the shape, following the lines. Depending on the child’s skill level, make the line thicker, and provide support as needed. Once the child cuts out the guitar’s shape out, ask him to draw or trace a circle in the middle of the guitar’s body. You can use a round object to help with drawing an accurate shape.
Instruct the child to cut out the circle, providing support as needed.
Using a single hole puncher, carefully have the child punch three holes on either side of the circle he just cut. Using 3 rubber bands, ask the child to cut through them so they are now one long string.
Instruct the child to thread each rubber band across 2 parallel holes, and tie on each end. Provide support as needed for tying the rubbers in place.
Using another piece of cardboard or construction paper, ask the child to draw or trace a rectangle. Instruct the child to cut it out, and use the glue and tape to attach it to the top part of the guitar’s body. To make the guitar look more life like, ask the child to draw lines continuing from the bands up the stem of the guitar.