Shoulder Strength - Page 5 of 12

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.

The Nosey Ball Maze

Steps:

Use your masking tape to create a winding path on a smooth floor or rug.
Make sure the path has a clear start and finish line.
Have your child get down on their hands and knees at the start.
Place a small ball, like a ping pong ball, right in front of their face.
Challenge your child to push the ball through the maze using only their nose!
They must keep their hands on the floor to stay steady as they move.
Encourage them to stay inside the tape lines until they reach the end.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during floor play to ensure they do not bump their head on nearby furniture.

The Vertical Sponge Trail

Steps:

Secure a long piece of butcher paper vertically to a wall at your child’s shoulder height using masking tape.
Use a marker to draw a simple, winding path across the paper.
Place a bowl of water on a nearby table or the floor.
Ask your child to soak the sponge and squeeze it until it is damp.
Challenge them to trace the path by squeezing the sponge along the marker line to leave a wet trail.
Encourage them to keep their arm high as they follow the winding road.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended. Ensure that the floor beneath the paper is kept dry to prevent slips or falls.