Skill: Shoulder Strength

Stability in the upper arms and shoulders allows the hands to do delicate work. Strong shoulders help kids write or draw for longer periods without getting tired.

Stuffed Animal Delivery Drive

Stuffed Animal Delivery Drive

Steps:

  • Use your masking tape to mark a large parking square on a smooth floor or rug.
  • Place your child’s favorite stuffed animal inside the basket.
  • Ask your child to add several blocks to the basket to make it heavy for the delivery.
  • Have your child stand behind the basket and place both hands on the rim.
  • Encourage your toddler to push the basket slowly across the room toward the tape square.
  • Cheer for them when they park the delivery right inside the lines!

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: This activity uses small blocks and tape. Always supervise your child closely and keep small parts away from the mouth.

The Tummy Time Sun Rays

The Tummy Time Sun Rays

Steps:

  • Draw a large sun with long rays on construction paper using your markers.
  • Use masking tape to secure the paper firmly to the floor so it does not move.
  • Squeeze small dots of glue along the lines of the sun’s rays.
  • Ask your child to lie on their stomach on the floor, facing the paper.
  • Place a paper plate with a small pile of beans right in front of them.
  • Encourage your child to lift their chest and head up high while they reach for the beans.
  • Have them use their thumb and pointer finger to pick up one bean at a time.
  • Challenge them to press the beans into the glue dots to decorate the sun.
  • Encourage them to switch hands to help both sides of their body get stronger!

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard: Beans are small objects that can be a safety risk. Always supervise your child during play and ensure all beans are collected afterward.

The Giant Newspaper Chopstick Challenge

The Giant Newspaper Chopstick Challenge

Steps:

  • Lay a large sheet of newspaper flat on the floor.
  • Roll the paper corner to corner as tightly as possible.
  • Use masking tape to secure the ends of the paper log.
  • Make a second log so you have a pair of giant chopsticks.
  • Place a stuffed animal on the floor and a basket nearby.
  • Hold one log in each hand and squeeze the toy between them.
  • Carry the toy carefully and drop it into the basket!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure they use the paper logs safely and do not hit others.

Vertical Yarn Rescue Mission

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

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.