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 Bubble Wrap Pincer Pop

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

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.

The Hanger Bead Elevator

The Hanger Bead Elevator

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut three pieces of yarn, each about twelve inches long.
  • Tie the top of each piece of yarn to the bottom bar of the hanger.
  • Slide one large bead onto the bottom of each piece of yarn.
  • Tie a big knot at the bottom of the yarn so the beads stay on.
  • Have your child use a clothespin to pinch the bead and the yarn together.
  • Challenge them to slide the clothespin and bead all the way up to the top!
  • Ask them to move the bead back down slowly without letting it drop.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during this activity as small beads are a choking hazard.

The Beaded Rainbow Arch

The Beaded Rainbow Arch

Steps:

  • Roll two large balls of playdough into thick cloud shapes.
  • Place the clouds about six inches apart on a flat table.
  • Select a pipe cleaner and a handful of matching beads.
  • Have your child slide the beads onto the pipe cleaner one by one.
  • Push one end of the wire deep into the first playdough cloud.
  • Bend the wire into a curve and push the other end into the second cloud.
  • Repeat this for every color of the rainbow!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Beads and pipe cleaners are small and can be a choking hazard.

The Vertical Sponge Trail

The Vertical Sponge Trail

Steps:

  • Secure a long piece of butcher paper vertically to a wall at your child’s shoulder height using masking tape.
  • Use a marker to draw a simple, winding path across the paper.
  • Place a bowl of water on a nearby table or the floor.
  • Ask your child to soak the sponge and squeeze it until it is damp.
  • Challenge them to trace the path by squeezing the sponge along the marker line to leave a wet trail.
  • Encourage them to keep their arm high as they follow the winding road.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended. Ensure that the floor beneath the paper is kept dry to prevent slips or falls.