Upper Body Strength

Cardboard Clip Sculpture

Steps:

First, draw several straight lines or large shapes onto the cardboard using a marker.
Challenge your child to use both hands to tear the cardboard along the drawn lines. Encourage strong pulling and pressing action for maximum heavy work input.
Place the paper clips into the plastic container next to the workspace.
Take two torn cardboard pieces. Hold them together firmly with your non-dominant (helper) hand to keep them steady.
Use your dominant hand to squeeze open a paper clip using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and index finger).
Clip the paper clip onto the edges of the two cardboard pieces to connect them securely. Continue adding pieces to build a chain or a free-standing sculpture.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure that the child handles torn cardboard edges carefully, as they can sometimes be sharp. Collect and store all small paper clips immediately after the activity.

Tight Stick Wedge Push

Steps:

Fold an index card tightly in half lengthwise. This creates a stiff, narrow V-shaped wedge.
Press a small lump of Theraputty or stiff playdough firmly down inside the V-wedge. The putty should be resistant.
Place the loaded index card wedge flat inside the plastic container to keep it stable on the table.
Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
Pick up one craft stick. Challenge your child to aim and push the stick straight down into the resistant putty through the narrow V-opening.
Encourage strong, controlled pushes until the putty wedge is completely filled with sticks. Pull the sticks out for a reverse challenge.

Safety Tip:
Theraputty, playdough, and craft sticks are small objects. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity to prevent choking hazards for children in this age group.

Block Tower Tug

Steps:

Help your child build a tall tower using heavy blocks. Use Masking Tape to secure a piece of String or Yarn tightly to the bottom block.
Place the finished tower about four feet away on a smooth, non-carpeted floor. Clear the path between the tower and your child.
Ask your child to assume a tall kneeling position behind the string. This requires good core stability.
Challenge your child to pull the tower toward them using the string. Encourage them to use both hands in an alternating, hand-over-hand motion.
Remind them to use slow, steady, and strong pulls. They must grade their force so the tower does not tip over when it reaches them.
Once the tower is rescued, rebuild it quickly. Try pulling the tower with only the non-dominant hand for a challenge.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure the playing area is clear of all trip hazards. Always supervise children when they are using string or yarn to prevent strangulation risks.

Sponge Squeeze Splash

Steps:

Fill a large bucket or Container halfway with water. Place the Sponge inside to soak.
Place a small, empty Plastic Container about three feet away. This is your target zone.
Have your child kneel or stand stably beside the large water bucket.
Encourage your child to reach in and grab the wet sponge. Lift it carefully over the target container.
Use a strong, firm squeeze with one hand to empty the water into the target. Encourage maximum effort!
Return the empty sponge to the bucket. Repeat the process until the small target container is full.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. This activity involves water, so ensure the playing area is non-slip to prevent falls. Make sure the child does not put the sponge or water near their mouth.

Water Wipe Tracing

Steps:

Draw 3-4 large shapes (circle, square, triangle) on the chalkboard or vertical board using chalk or a marker.
Fill the spray bottle with water. Ensure the nozzle is set to stream, not mist, to provide resistance.
Challenge your child to hold the bottle with both hands first, then switch to one hand. Focus on using strong fingers to squeeze the trigger.
Aim the water stream at the drawn shapes. Spray directly onto the lines, “erasing” them by following the path.
Encourage strong, controlled squeezes to strengthen the hand muscles.

Safety Tip:
Supervise the activity closely to ensure water is not sprayed toward faces. Ensure the child stands stably while reaching for the vertical surface.