Pincer Control - Page 6 of 21

The Egg Carton Bridge Weaver

Steps:

Flip your empty egg carton upside down on the table.
Use your markers to draw small dots on the very top of each egg cup.
Adult step: Use scissors to poke a small, narrow hole through each marker dot.
Give your child a pipe cleaner and ask them to push one end into a hole.
Encourage them to bend the pipe cleaner over to a different egg cup.
Have them push the other end into a second hole to make a bridge.
Continue adding pipe cleaners to create a crisscross web over the peaks.
Challenge them to see how many colorful bridges they can build without any collapsing!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors or pipe cleaners to avoid pokes.

The Coffee Filter Magic Flower

Steps:

Set out a few white coffee filters on a tray or plastic container.
Show your child how to fold the coffee filter in half, then in half again.
Mix a few drops of food coloring into small cups of water.
Have your child squeeze the eyedropper to soak up the colorful water.
Encourage them to carefully drop the water onto the folded edges of the filter.
Slowly unfold the wet filter to see a beautiful, colorful pattern.
Let the filters dry to create magic flowers or window art!

Safety Tip:
Food coloring can stain clothes and surfaces. Use a tray to keep the water contained. Always supervise your child when using the eyedropper and water.

The Palm-Flip Treasure Drop

Steps:

Use masking tape to secure a paper cup to the edge of a sturdy table.
Place a small pile of coins on the table next to the cup.
Ask your child to rest their forearm on the table with their palm facing down.
Place one coin on the back of their hand.
Encourage them to rotate their wrist until the palm faces up so the coin sits in their palm.
If they feel wobbly, have them use their other hand to help stabilize the arm.
Finally, use a pincer grasp to drop the coin into the cup!

Safety Tip:
Coins are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child. Do not let them put coins in their mouth.

The Silver Pan Web Weaver

Steps:

Use markers to draw ten dots around the rim of the pan.
Use a pencil to poke a hole through each dot.
Tie one end of the yarn to the first hole.
Thread the yarn across the pan to another hole.
Continue until the silver web is finished!

Safety Tip:
Poking holes with a pencil requires steady hands. Always supervise your child to prevent any pokes to the skin.

The Tape Rescue Mission

Steps:

Cut several small strips of masking tape.
Press one strip gently onto your child’s knee.
Ask your child to find the tape on their body.
Encourage them to peel the tape off using their fingers.
Try placing tape on their elbow, foot, or hand next.
Cheer for them as they name each body part!

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard. This activity involves masking tape which can be torn into small pieces. Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put tape in their mouth.