Skill: Fine Motor Control

Using the small muscles in the hands and wrists to make precise movements. This is the foundation for almost all school tasks, like drawing, writing, and using tools.

The Fuzzy Pipe Cleaner Bridges

The Fuzzy Pipe Cleaner Bridges

Steps:

  • Tape your piece of cardboard flat on the table so it stays in one place while you play.
  • Use the hole puncher to make two columns of holes down the cardboard, leaving space in the middle.
  • Ask your child to pick up a pipe cleaner and push one end into a hole.
  • Show them how to slide a few colorful beads onto the pipe cleaner one at a time.
  • Help them bend the pipe cleaner and push the other end into a hole on the opposite side.
  • Keep going until you have a row of fuzzy, beaded bridges across your cardboard!

Safety Tip:
Beads and pipe cleaner pieces can be small. Always watch your child closely to make sure they do not put any materials in their mouth.

Baking Cup Hidden Bubble Pops

Baking Cup Hidden Bubble Pops

Steps:

  • Glue five baking cups onto a flat piece of cardboard.
  • Cut five small circles of bubble wrap to fit inside the cups.
  • Place a small dab of glue at the bottom of each cup.
  • Press the bubble wrap circles firmly into the glue.
  • Ask your child to use only their pointer finger to pop the bubbles.
  • Challenge them to use their other hand to hold the cardboard steady.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put small pieces of bubble wrap in their mouth.

Sticky Balloon Treasure Peel

Sticky Balloon Treasure Peel

Steps:

  • Blow up a balloon and tie it securely.
  • Wrap several strips of masking tape around the balloon.
  • Make sure the sticky side faces outward.
  • Press several cotton balls onto the sticky tape.
  • Ask your child to hold the balloon with their helper hand.
  • Have them use their other hand to peel the cotton balls off.
  • Drop the rescued cotton balls into a basket.

Safety Tip:
Balloons and broken pieces are a serious choking hazard. Always watch your child and pick up popped pieces right away.

The Fire Breathing Dragon Tube

The Fire Breathing Dragon Tube

Steps:

  • Use your markers to draw a silly dragon face on the outside of the paper roll.
  • Tear the colorful tissue paper into long, thin strips that look like flames.
  • Put a few dots of glue around the inside rim of one end of the tube.
  • Press the ends of your tissue paper strips onto the glue dots carefully.
  • Glue two pom-poms on top of the tube to give your dragon big eyes.
  • Hold the tube to your mouth and blow hard to make the fire dance!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using glue and small pom-poms. Ensure the paper roll is clean and free of any staples.

The Cardboard Coin Slide

The Cardboard Coin Slide

Steps:

  • Adult: Cut a long, narrow rectangle from your cardboard to make a ramp.
  • Use masking tape to attach a paper cup to a table edge as a goal.
  • Ask your child to hold the top of the ramp with their helper hand.
  • Encourage them to use their other hand to pinch a coin at the top.
  • Aim the bottom of the cardboard ramp toward the paper cup target.
  • Release the coin and watch it slide into the cup!
  • Move the cup to different spots to change the angle and challenge level.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while playing with coins. Coins are a choking hazard. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent scratches.