Finger Strength - Page 3 of 29

The Styrofoam Star Map

Steps:

Grab a flat block of Styrofoam and set it on the table.
Use a marker to draw 8 small dots across the foam.
Ask your child to pick up a golf ball tee using their pinching fingers.
Have them push the pointy end of the tee straight into a dot.
Repeat this until all the stars have a pillar standing up.
Now, place a single bead on top of each golf ball tee.
Ask them to move slowly so the beads stay on the pillars.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Golf ball tees have pointed ends and beads are a choking hazard. Keep these materials away from small children and pets.

The Cardboard Ribbon Slider

Steps:

Help your child cut a rectangular piece of cardboard about the size of a book.
Adult step: Use scissors to poke three narrow slots across the middle of the cardboard.
Make sure the slots are just wide enough for your ribbon to pass through.
Thread a long piece of ribbon through the first slot from the back to the front.
Guide the ribbon back through the second slot, and then out through the third.
Tie a small knot at each end of the ribbon so it cannot be pulled all the way out.
Use masking tape to secure the cardboard to the table if it slides too much.
Have your child use one hand to hold the cardboard and the other to pull the ribbon.
Encourage them to pull the ribbon back and forth through the slots until they finish.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors or handling long pieces of ribbon.

The Card Link Arch

Steps:

Place the paper cup upside down on a flat table.
Pick up two index cards with your helper hand.
Slide a paper clip onto the edges to join the cards.
Repeat this to make a long chain of four or five cards.
Curve the cards over the cup to form a bridge.
Add extra clips to the bottom of the end cards for weight.
Slide the cup out slowly to see if the arch stays up.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the child remains seated at the table and uses only the craft materials.

The Bubble Wrap Pincer Pop

Steps:

Place a small sheet of bubble wrap on the table.
Use markers to color five bubbles red and five bubbles blue.
Give your child a clothespin and ask them to pinch it open.
Challenge them to use the clothespin to squeeze and pop only the red bubbles.
Switch hands and try to pop all the blue bubbles with the other hand.
Listen for the pop sound every time they squeeze a bubble!

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

The Cup Ring Connector

Steps:

Use markers to draw three colorful dots around the rim of each paper cup.
Hold the cup steady with your helper hand while you use the hole puncher.
Squeeze the puncher hard to make a hole right on top of each marker dot.
Take a pipe cleaner and slide it through a hole in the first cup.
Slide the other end of the pipe cleaner into a hole in a second cup.
Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner together to lock the cups together!
Keep adding more cups and pipe cleaners to build a long, bendy cup train.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while using a hole puncher to prevent finger pinches. Check pipe cleaner ends for sharpness before play.