Finger Strength

The Confetti Cupcake Decorator

Boy using tongs to drop punched paper dots into paper baking cups glued to cardboard

Steps:

Use markers to draw three big circles on your cardboard.
Glue a baking cup onto each circle to make the cupcake base.
Have your child use the hole puncher on colorful paper to make dots.
Squeeze some glue into the bottom of each baking cup.
Ask your child to pick up the paper dots using the tongs.
Challenge them to drop the sprinkles into the cups to decorate the treats.
Use their helper hand to keep the cardboard steady while they work.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure safety. Small paper dots can be a choking hazard for younger children.

The Foil Caterpillar Match

Steps:

Tear off a long sheet of Aluminium Foil.
Use both hands to roll and squeeze the foil into a long, thick snake shape.
Use your markers to draw six colorful spots along the caterpillar’s back.
Color the tips of six clothespins to match the spots on the caterpillar.
Ask your child to hold the foil body with one hand.
Have them use their other hand to clip a matching leg onto each colored spot.
Challenge them to stand the caterpillar up on its new legs!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the edges of the foil are pressed flat to avoid scratches.

The Pudding Bead Hunt

Steps:

Use markers to draw several colorful circles on the outside of a Ziplock bag.
Open the bag and scoop in about half a cup of pudding.
Drop a few colorful beads into the pudding and seal the bag shut.
Lay the bag flat and use masking tape to secure the edges to a table.
Ask your child to use their pointer finger to find a bead inside the bag.
Challenge them to slide the bead through the pudding until it reaches a matching circle!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the Ziplock bag is sealed tightly to avoid any leaks. Small beads are a choking hazard and should be kept away from younger siblings.

The Shimmering Treasure Pop

Steps:

Tape four baking cups onto a flat piece of cardboard to keep them steady.
Place one shiny coin inside the bottom of each baking cup.
Cut squares of aluminium foil that are slightly larger than the top of the cups.
Place the foil over the opening and wrap the edges tightly around the cup rim.
Use masking tape to secure the foil around the sides so it stays taut.
Ask your child to use only their index finger to pop through the foil.
Once they break through, have them use their pinching fingers to pull out the hidden treasure!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small coins and pieces of foil are significant choking hazards. Ensure all materials are stored away after the game.

Styrofoam Bolt Builder

Steps:

Lay a flat Styrofoam block on your table.
Use markers to draw a simple robot or house shape on the top.
Poke several small holes along the lines of your drawing using a pencil.
Pick up a long bolt and push it through one of the holes.
Reach under the foam with your other hand.
Use your fingertips to find the end of the bolt without looking.
Twist a nut onto the bolt until it is tight against the foam.
Repeat this for every hole until your structure is full of metal parts!
Stack a few wooden blocks on the bolts to see what you can build.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small nuts and bolts are a choking hazard. Ensure the pencil used for poking holes is handled safely.