Hand Dexterity - Page 2 of 21

The Cardboard Key Turn Challenge

Steps:

Find an empty shoe box and use your markers to draw a small keyhole circle on one side.
Help your child use the scissors to cut a narrow slit right through the center of that circle.
Open the box and press a large lump of playdough firmly against the inside wall behind the hole.
Close the lid and use your markers to decorate a craft stick to look like a colorful magic key.
Ask your child to hold the box steady with one hand while they aim the key into the hole.
Challenge them to push the stick into the playdough and twist it back and forth like a key!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors to cut the cardboard. Make sure the playdough stays inside the box and is not put in the mouth.

The Paper Plate Time Teller

Steps:

Write the numbers 1 to 12 around the edge of the plate.
Cut two long, narrow arrows from your cardboard piece.
Make one arrow shorter than the other.
Use your scissors to poke a tiny hole in the center of the plate.
Poke a hole in the bottom of both cardboard arrows.
Slide a paper clip through the arrows and the plate hole.
Bend the paper clip ends to hold everything together.
Challenge your child to spin the hands to show a specific time!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they use scissors. Ensure the paper clip is handled carefully. Keep all small parts away from the mouth.

The Paper Roll Pincer Squeezer

Steps:

Use your scissors to cut several empty paper rolls into small rings about one inch thick.
Let your child decorate each ring with colorful patterns using the markers.
Adult Step: Cut four narrow vertical slots into a flat piece of sturdy cardboard base.
Ask your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to squeeze one paper roll ring until it is flat.
Challenge them to slide the flattened ring into a slot on the cardboard base to make it stand up.
Continue squeezing and sliding more rings into each other to build a tall and wobbly sculpture!
Encourage your child to use their helper hand to hold the base steady while the other hand adds new pieces.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Make sure the cardboard edges are smooth to avoid any small scrapes during play.

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 Ribbon Tail Balloon Catch

Steps:

Blow up a bright balloon and tie it tightly.
Cut four long strips of ribbon using your scissors.
Tape the ribbons to the bottom of the balloon.
Toss the balloon high into the air.
Ask your child to catch the balloon by the ribbons.
See how many times they can catch it before it lands!

Safety Tip:
Always watch your child when playing with balloons. Broken pieces are a choking hazard. Throw away any popped balloons right away.