Shoulder Strength - Page 4 of 12

Vertical Yarn Rescue Mission

Steps:

Tape a large piece of cardboard vertically onto a wall at your child’s shoulder height.
Place a small stuffed animal against the cardboard.
Crisscross long pieces of yarn over the toy to trap it against the board.
Use several strips of masking tape to secure the yarn ends to the cardboard edges.
Ask your child to stand in front of the board with their feet planted firmly.
Challenge them to rescue the toy by peeling the tape and unweaving the yarn.
Encourage them to use one hand to hold the toy and the other to pull the yarn.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using long pieces of yarn to prevent any risk of entanglement. Ensure the cardboard is taped securely so it does not fall.

The Ribbon Ladder Rescue

Steps:

Use masking tape to secure two long ribbons vertically onto a wall.
Space the ribbons about five inches apart so the sticks fit between them.
Ensure the ribbons are pulled tight from the top to the bottom.
Give your child a handful of clothespins and several colorful craft sticks.
Ask them to hold a craft stick horizontally against the two ribbons.
Show them how to clip the stick to the ribbons using the clothespins.
Repeat this to build several rungs all the way up the wall.
Once the ladder is finished, they can use their fingers to climb it!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure they do not pull the ribbon off the wall or put materials in their mouth.

The Paper Plate Pulley

Steps:

Use the hole puncher to make one hole in the middle of your paper plate.
Tape the paper plate to the top of a stable door frame using masking tape.
Thread your string through the hole you made in the plate.
Use the hole puncher to make two small holes near the rim of your paper cup.
Tie one end of the string through the holes in the cup to make a handle.
Fill the cup with a handful of beans to act as cargo.
Stand below the plate and pull the loose end of the string to lift the cup.
Try to lower the cup slowly to the floor without letting it drop or crash!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using long pieces of string to prevent a strangulation hazard.

The Bubble Power Road Trip

Steps:

Use masking tape to secure a sheet of bubble wrap to a wall at your child’s shoulder height.
Use a marker to draw a long, wiggly line from the bottom to the top of the bubble wrap.
Place a small stuffed animal at the start of the line.
Tell your child that the stuffed animal needs bubble power to move up the road.
Have your child pop one bubble on the line using their pointer finger.
Once the bubble pops, move the stuffed animal slightly forward along the path.
Continue popping bubbles one by one until the toy reaches the top of the road.
Try using the other hand to help the toy finish its journey!

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard. This activity involves plastic wrap which can be torn into small pieces. Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put bubble wrap in their mouth. Ensure the wall tape is secure.

The Cardboard Tube Ball Lift

Steps:

Place a tennis ball on a flat floor or rug.
Give your child two long cardboard paper towel rolls.
Ask your child to hold one roll in each hand.
Challenge them to squeeze the ball between the ends of the paper rolls.
Once they have a firm grip, lift the ball off the ground.
Ask them to walk slowly toward a basket a few feet away.
Carefully release the ball into the basket without using their hands.
Repeat the challenge with balls of different sizes!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during this activity to prevent them from tripping. Ensure the floor is clear of other toys.