Feed the Monster:
Materials: Cardboard box, craft supplies (ex. googly eyes, paint), small objects (ex. pom-poms, buttons)
How to Play: Transform the cardboard box into a "monster" by decorating it with craft supplies. Cut out a mouth large enough for the child to feed small objects to the monster. The child then uses their fingers or a set of tongs to pick up the objects and feed them to the monster's mouth. This game encourages precision and finger manipulation
Tweezer Tic-Tac-Toe:
Materials: Tic-tac-toe grid (drawn on paper or a small board), tweezers/tongs, small objects (ex. pom-poms, buttons) in two different colors
How to Play: Divide the small objects into two sets, one for each player. Players take turns using tweezers or tongs to place their objects on the tic-tac-toe grid to form a line horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. This game promotes precision, hand control, and strategic thinking.
Fishing for Letters:
Materials: Magnetic fishing rod, magnetic letters, shallow container filled with water
How to Play: Place the magnetic letters in the container of water and scatter them around. Encourage the player to use the magnetic fishing rod to "catch" the letters and name or alphabetize them when they place them on a magnetic surface. This game enhances hand-eye coordination and letter recognition.
Nut and Bolt Matching:
Materials: Plastic nuts and bolts in various sizes, container or tray
How to Play: Mix up the nuts and bolts and encourage the player to match them according to size and thread them together. This activity strengthens hand muscles, promotes bilateral coordination, and enhances problem-solving abilities.
Marble Maze Construction:
Materials Needed: Cardboard box, straws, tape, marbles
How to Play: Cut out a maze design in the cardboard box and attach straws to create pathways. Challenge the player to guide marbles through the maze by tilting and maneuvering the box. This game enhances hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
More articles you might enjoy:
The Many Benefits of Sensory Rich Play and How To Make Your Own Sensory Bins