Distal Finger Control - Page 7 of 28

The Sticky Maze Jewel Hunt

Steps:

Place the cardboard on a stable table.
Use markers to draw a winding path from one end to the other.
Fold small strips of masking tape so the sticky side faces out.
Stick these tape loops along the edges of your drawn path.
Place several beads at different spots inside the path.
Give your child the tweezers to hold with their writing hand.
Challenge them to pick up each bead carefully.
They must lift the beads without touching the sticky walls.
Move the beads to a plastic container to win the game!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Small beads are a choking hazard. Ensure the tweezers are used only for the activity.

Noodle Notch Shelf Build

Steps:

Use the scissors to cut a pool noodle into pieces about as long as a ruler.
Hold the noodle piece firmly with your non-cutting hand.
Snip three or four horizontal slits into the side of the foam.
Squeeze the handles together to make sure the scissors cut deep enough.
Slide a wooden craft stick halfway into each of the new slits.
Make sure the sticks are tight so they act like tiny shelves.
Use your thumb and pointer finger to pick up a soft pom-pom.
Carefully place the pom-pom onto the flat end of a craft stick.
See if you can fill all the shelves without any falling off!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors. Ensure the pom-poms are not placed in the mouth as they can be a choking hazard.

Bumpy Bubble Marble Slide

Steps:

Lay a sheet of Bubble Wrap flat on a table with the bubbles facing down.
Secure all four corners with Masking Tape to keep it from moving.
Place a marble under the wrap at one corner.
Use your index finger to press on top of the wrap.
Guide the marble through the tiny paths between the bubbles.
Try to reach the opposite corner without popping any bubbles!
Use your other hand to push the marble back to the start.

Safety Tip:
Marbles are a significant choking hazard. Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure all marbles are collected and stored safely after play.

Banded Bottle Bean Slider

Steps:

Take the plastic bottle and wrap four pipe cleaners tightly around the middle section.
Use small pieces of masking tape to secure the ends of the pipe cleaners so they do not slide around.
Place one dry bean at the very bottom of the bottle.
Hold the bottle firmly with your helper hand to keep it from moving on the table.
Use your thumb and pointer finger to slide the bean up the bottle, pushing it underneath the first tight pipe cleaner band.
Continue sliding and pushing the bean past every band until it reaches the top of the bottle.
Try to see how fast you can do it without the bean popping out from under your finger!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Dry beans are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard. Ensure all materials are collected and stored safely after play.

Resistance Fold & Tweeze Art

Steps:

Give your child the index cards. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the cards into small, rough, 2-inch squares.
Take one torn square. Use strong finger force to fold it tightly in half, then fold it again to create a stiff, resistant 3D shape.
Draw a simple line or shape onto the cardboard base using the liquid glue bottle. Encourage controlled squeezing.
Press the stiff, folded cardboard shapes firmly onto the wet glue line. Use maximum force to create a stable, textured sculpture or wall.
Place the pile of sequins nearby. Hold the tweezers like a pencil in your dominant hand.
Use the tweezers to carefully pick up one tiny sequin. Transfer it to the cardboard structure.
Press the sequin onto the resistant folds to decorate your 3D art. Continue this until all the folded pieces are covered in sparkle!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Sequins and small, crumpled paper pieces are very small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.