Shoulder Strength

Twist and Drill Wall Work

Steps:

First, use the masking tape to secure a piece of sturdy cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door at your child’s chest height.
Press a large, thick lump of Theraputty or stiff playdough firmly onto the center of the vertical cardboard. This is your resistant drill target.
Hold the craft stick like a pencil. Encourage your child to use their helper hand to stabilize the cardboard next to the putty.
Aim the craft stick at the putty. Use strong finger pressure and a twisting motion to ‘drill’ the stick deep into the resistant putty.
Switch directions and twist the stick the opposite way to pull it out. Repeat this drill motion, filling the putty surface with holes.
Try putting all the sticks in, then pull them out. See how fast you can twist and drill all the sticks into the target!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Theraputty (or playdough) and craft sticks are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Marshland Cotton Ball Tug

Steps:

In the container, mix liquid glue and sand thoroughly to create a thick, resistant ‘marsh mud’.
Spread the marsh mud mixture thickly onto the cardboard base to create a dense layer.
Press 10 to 12 cotton balls halfway into the wet mixture, ensuring they are stuck firmly. Allow the cardboard to dry completely (12 to 24 hours) until the surface is very hard.
Place the dried ‘marshland’ board on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the cardboard firmly steady with their helper hand.
Pick up one craft stick using a firm pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Aim the stick and wedge the tip underneath a stuck cotton ball.
Use a strong, controlled tug to pull the cotton ball free from the resistant marsh mud. Repeat this forceful pulling action until all the cotton balls are rescued.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Cotton balls and craft sticks are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Kernel Cannon Wall

Steps:

Mix the playdough with a little water in the container until it forms a thick, sticky sludge. Stir in a handful of corn kernels to make the mixture highly resistant.
Secure the piece of cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door using masking tape. Use markers to draw a large, simple target shape on the board.
Hold the eyedropper (or baster) with a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Squeeze the bulb hard to suck up the resistant kernel sludge mixture.
Hold the cardboard steady with your helper hand to keep the surface stable. Aim the loaded dropper at the marker target.
Squeeze the dropper forcefully to shoot the kernel sludge onto the target. Encourage maximum effort! Repeat this action until the target is completely covered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough and corn kernels are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure the mixture is used only as intended.

Wet Sponge Weight Weave

Steps:

Fill the container with water and soak the sponge fully. Wring it out hard so it is damp and dense, then press it firmly back into the container base.
Adult Prep: Tie one bead securely onto the end of a 12-inch piece of yarn. Tie the opposite end of the yarn onto the middle of one craft stick.
Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base on the table.
Using the working hand, aim the craft stick tip at the sponge. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick and the attached yarn/bead completely through the resistant sponge.
Pull the stick back out, feeling the resistance and drag of the yarn as it comes through the wet sponge. Repeat this push and pull action until your child tires.

Safety Tip:
Beads and yarn are small materials. Constant, direct adult supervision is required to ensure these items are not ingested, as they pose a choking hazard.

Resistant Gate Push

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the foam sheet tightly onto the cardboard piece for maximum stability.
Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut 8 to 10 narrow, short slits (about 1.5 inches long) randomly across the foam surface. Ensure the slits are very tight.
Encourage your child to use both hands to bend and twist the pipe cleaners into small, rigid shapes like tight coils, flat squares, or stiff hooks. Ensure they are strong.
Challenge your child to hold the stable cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand.
Pick up one rigid pipe cleaner shape. Aim the shape at a narrow slit and use a strong, controlled push to insert the entire shape through the resistant foam gate. Feel the effort!
Repeat this forceful pushing and threading action until all the slits have been successfully filled with colorful pipe cleaner shapes.

Safety Tip:
Adults must handle the scissors for cutting the narrow slits. Supervise closely as children manipulate pipe cleaners, ensuring the ends are tucked or curled to prevent scratches while pushing.