Finger Strength - Page 6 of 31

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

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

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

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.

The Pipe Cleaner Reef Rescue

Steps:

Turn the egg carton upside down on the table.
Use markers to color each bump of the carton a different color.
Use the tip of your scissors to poke a small hole in the top of each bump.
Pick up a pipe cleaner and push it into one of the holes.
Bend the pipe cleaner so it looks like wavy seaweed.
Pick up a bead and slide it onto the pipe cleaner seaweed.
Repeat this for all the holes until your reef is full of color!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using scissors. These should only be used to poke the holes. Beads are a choking hazard; keep them away from younger children and pets.