Hand Dexterity - Page 9 of 19

The Sturdy Newspaper Bridge

Steps:

Lay a sheet of newspaper flat on a table.
Start at one corner and roll the paper into a very tight, thin tube.
Use a small piece of masking tape to secure the end.
Repeat this until you have at least ten strong paper tubes.
Place two stacks of blocks about six inches apart on the table.
Tape your paper tubes together to create a flat platform.
Lay the platform across the blocks to form a bridge.
Gently place more blocks on top of the bridge to see how much weight it can hold!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to help with the building and design of the bridge. Be careful with any small tape pieces that might stick to other surfaces.

Ribbon Rescue Basket Mission

Steps:

Grab a plastic basket with holes on the sides.
Place a favorite stuffed animal inside the basket.
Take long pieces of ribbon and weave them through the holes.
Crisscross the ribbon over the top to trap the toy.
Ask your child to rescue the toy by unweaving the ribbon.
They must pull each ribbon completely out through the holes.
Encourage them to use one hand to hold the basket and the other to pull.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to ensure the long ribbons do not get tangled around the child.

The Yarn Star Weaver

Steps:

Glue two craft sticks together in the shape of a cross.
Wait for the glue to dry so the sticks are sturdy.
Tie the end of your yarn to the center of the cross.
Wrap the yarn once around one stick, then move to the next.
Continue this wrapping pattern until the star reaches your desired size.
Use scissors to cut the yarn and tie a final knot to finish.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended while using scissors and glue. Ensure the craft sticks are smooth to prevent any small splinters.

The Beaded Rainbow Branch

Steps:

Find a smooth branch outside.
Make sure it is sturdy but not too heavy.
Tie one end of the yarn to the base of the branch.
Ask your child to hold the branch steady with one hand.
Show your child how to wrap the yarn around the branch.
They should keep the yarn tight.
After a few wraps, slide a bead onto the yarn.
Continue wrapping the yarn over the bead to lock it in place.
Switch yarn colors to create a rainbow pattern.
Tie a knot at the end to finish your art.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended. Small beads are a choking hazard. Keep materials away from small children and pets.

The Button Balance Scale

Steps:

Lay a pencil flat on a table. Use a small piece of masking tape to stop it from rolling.
Place the middle of the ruler on top of the pencil. It should tilt back and forth like a seesaw.
Use your thumb and pointer finger to pick up a single button from your collection.
Place the button gently on one end of the ruler.
Now, try to place a second button on the other side to balance the weight.
When the ruler stays level without touching the table, your child has mastered the challenge of finding the center of gravity.
Keep adding buttons to see how many the scale can hold before it tips.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Buttons are a choking hazard. Keep them away from small children and pets at all times.