Skill: Finger Strength

Having enough power in the small hand muscles to do things like open a lunchbox, squeeze a glue bottle, or hold a pencil without getting tired.

The Snake Rim Marble Run

The Snake Rim Marble Run

Steps:

  • Place the paper plate on the table.
  • Take a large piece of playdough.
  • Roll it into a very long, thick snake using both hands.
  • Press the playdough snake firmly around the very edge of the paper plate to make a wall.
  • Make sure the wall is smooth and even all the way around the plate.
  • Place a single marble inside the plate.
  • Hold the plate with both hands.
  • Tilt the plate slowly to make the marble roll along the playdough wall without falling out.
  • Challenge your child to go around the circle three times without stopping!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Marbles are a significant choking hazard and should be kept away from mouths at all times.

The Ziplock Air Launcher

The Ziplock Air Launcher

Steps:

  • Cut a small rectangle of construction paper and wrap it around a straw.
  • Use a tiny piece of masking tape to secure the paper into a tube.
  • Tape one end of the tube shut to create the rocket nose.
  • Slide the straw into the corner of a Ziplock bag.
  • Seal the bag and use tape to make the opening airtight.
  • Place the paper rocket over the end of the straw.
  • Use both hands to give the bag a fast squeeze to launch the rocket!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the paper rocket is not aimed at faces or people.

The Sunny Stained-Glass Bag

The Sunny Stained-Glass Bag

Steps:

  • Have your child choose three colors of tissue paper.
  • Ask them to use both hands to tear the paper into small pieces.
  • Have your child squeeze glue onto the front of the Ziplock bag.
  • Use a finger or a scrap of paper to spread the glue flat.
  • Pick up each paper square using a pincer grasp.
  • Press the colorful pieces onto the sticky glue.
  • Cover the whole bag to make a beautiful mosaic pattern.
  • Use masking tape to stick the bag onto a sunny window.

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely while they use scissors. Make sure they do not place the glue or small paper bits in their mouth.

Floating Ball Sponge Rescue

Floating Ball Sponge Rescue

Steps:

  • Place an empty, clear plastic bottle on a flat table.
  • Drop a lightweight ping pong ball inside the bottom of the empty bottle.
  • Fill a large bowl with cool water and place it right next to the bottle.
  • Have your child dunk a sponge into the bowl to soak up the water.
  • Hold the bottle steady with their helper hand to keep it still.
  • Use the other hand to squeeze the wet sponge directly over the bottle opening.
  • Repeat this process, watching the ping pong ball float higher and higher.
  • Once the ball reaches the very top, use pinching fingers to pluck it out!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely during water play. Ensure the bottle has a wide opening with no sharp plastic edges.

The Golf Tee Nail Salon

The Golf Tee Nail Salon

Steps:

  • Place the Styrofoam block flat on a table.
  • Use colorful markers to color the flat, round top of each golf ball tee.
  • Explain to your child that these tees are fingers getting a manicure.
  • Ask your child to hold a tee tightly with their pinching fingers.
  • Use the other hand to hold the Styrofoam block steady.
  • Push the pointed end of the tee straight down into the Styrofoam.
  • Line up five tees in a row to create a hand.
  • Carefully place a small sticker on top of each colored tee to finish the style!

Safety Tip:
Golf tees have pointed ends. Always supervise your child during play to prevent accidental pokes or swallowing of small stickers.