Finger Strength - Page 3 of 31

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

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.

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.

The Rainbow Ribbon Spool

Steps:

Tape the end of three colorful ribbons to the center of a paper roll.
Place the paper roll horizontally inside a small basket.
Use masking tape to secure the ends of the roll to the basket sides.
This allows the roll to spin in place like a spool of thread.
Encourage your child to pull a ribbon to unwind it completely.
Show them how to use both hands to wind the ribbon back up.
They must use their tiny fingers to keep the ribbon tight.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Ribbons and tape are small parts. Always watch your child closely during play.

Cosmic Tissue Bottle Push

Steps:

Adult: Give your child several sheets of colorful tissue paper.
Child: Tear the paper into small pieces using both hands.
Crumple each piece into a very tight, round ball.
Adult: Secure two pipe cleaners over the bottle mouth in an X shape.
Use masking tape to hold the pipe cleaners to the bottle sides.
Child: Hold the bottle steady with your helper hand.
Use your pinching fingers to pick up a paper ball.
Push the ball hard through the fuzzy pipe cleaner gate until it drops inside.

Safety Tip:
Tissue paper and pipe cleaners can be a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during play to keep them safe.