Fine Motor Control - Page 16 of 84

Paper Cup Balance Track

Steps:

Line up six paper cups upside down in a row on a flat table.
Use masking tape to secure each cup base to the table so they do not move.
Use a bright marker to draw a simple line across the top of all the cups to create a path.
Place a ping pong ball on the first cup in the line.
Hand your child a spoon and ask them to hold it with their dominant hand.
Challenge them to use the spoon to gently push the ball along the marker path from one cup to the next.
See if they can reach the final cup without the ball falling off the track!
If the ball falls, have them pick it up using their pincer fingers and start again.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they use the spoon and ball safely.

Bottle Galaxy Weaver

Steps:

Wash and dry an empty plastic bottle.
Remove the label so you can see inside clearly.
Use a hole puncher to make six holes around the top of the bottle.
Punch six more holes near the bottom of the bottle.
Cut several pieces of yarn into long strips.
Tie a bead to one end of a yarn piece to act as a star.
Thread the yarn through a top hole and pull it across to a bottom hole.
Add more beads as you weave through different holes.
Crumple small strips of index cards and push them into the bottle first to act as planets.
Challenge your child to weave the yarn so the stars rest on the planets.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children when using a hole puncher. Beads are a choking hazard. Keep them away from younger siblings.

Paper Plate Target Disc

Steps:

Use your scissors to cut three circles from a single paper plate. These are your flying discs.
Decorate each disc with bright markers to make them easy to see.
Place your laundry basket in the middle of a clear floor area.
Use masking tape to mark a start line a few feet away from the basket.
Have your child stand behind the line and hold a disc with one hand.
Show them how to hold the cardboard base steady with their other hand to act as a launch pad.
Ask them to use their index finger to flick the paper disc toward the basket.
Challenge them to get all three discs inside the basket in a row!
Move the start line further back once they become an expert launcher.

Safety Tip:
Always ensure the play area is clear of breakable items before launching your paper discs. Adult supervision is recommended to manage the use of scissors.

The Static Magic Paper Lift

Steps:

Help your child tear the tissue paper into very small, light pieces.
Place all the tiny paper bits into a pile on a flat table.
Blow up the balloon and tie it tightly for your child.
Have your child rub the balloon quickly against their hair.
Hold the balloon just above the paper bits and watch them jump up!
Challenge your child to move the stuck paper over to an empty bowl.
Use your fingers to peel the paper off and start again.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using balloons. Immediately pick up and discard any broken balloon pieces to keep your child safe.

The Masking Tape Ribbon Tangle

Steps:

Start by taping one end of a long ribbon to a flat table using a small piece of masking tape.
Stretch the ribbon across the table and place another piece of tape over it every few inches to create a tangled path.
Ask your child to use their fingertips to find the edge of each piece of tape.
Encourage them to peel the tape up to rescue the ribbon from the table.
Once the ribbon is free, show them how to roll it up into a small bundle using both hands.
Place the finished ribbon roll into a basket and repeat with a different color!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they do not put masking tape or ribbon in their mouth. Ensure the table has smooth edges to prevent any scratches.