ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF TWO HANDS
Many everyday tasks at home naturally encourage using two hands together in a coordinated way. Household objects can be fun toys for younger children, and preschoolers often like to help out at home and do “grown-up” activities.
Cooking
Ø playing with pots and pans
Ø opening/closing containers (jars, Tupperware)
Ø mixing food in a bowl
Ø tearing lettuce, peeling an orange/banana
Ø rolling cookie dough with a big rolling pin
Ø using an eggbeater
Ø carrying plates to set the table
Ø carrying a tray with food
Ø taking raisins out of a small box
Dressing
Ø dressing/undressing
Ø dressing/bathing dolls
Laundry
Ø carrying the laundry basket
Ø folding laundry (towels, socks, sheets)
Ø handing clothes to dry with clothes pins
Household Chores
Ø sweeping with a broom
Ø washing/drying dishes
Ø polishing silver
Ø washing windows or a car with a big sponge
Ø digging in sand/garden with a large shovel
Ø vacuuming
Ø putting a letter in the mailbox
Ø putting fruit/vegetables into bags at supermarket
Ø wiping tables
Ø objects in/out of a bag
Games/Toys
Ø playing with a large ball
Ø take-apart toys (Duplo, Lego, Megablocks, Poppit Beads)
Ø rolling playdough between hands or with a rolling pin
Ø clapping songs, action songs
Ø musical toys (accordion, castanets, cymbals, piano)
Ø string beads or macaroni to make a necklace (or Cheerios, pieces of cut-up straws)
Ø finger painting (shaving cream, pudding)
Ø folding and tearing paper
Ø cutting with scissors
Ø push toys
Ø T-ball, hockey, golf
Ø riding a tricycle
Ø climbing at the playground
Ø Tug-o-war
Ø unwrapping presents
Ø popping bubbles with a clap
Ø practice alternating movements such as swinging arms while walking, stride jumping, wheel-barrow walking
Ø dealing cards
Ø make large figure 8’s (race tracks) and play a large game of X’s and O’s outdoors with sidewalk chalk, or on the blackboard
Ø dot-to-dots and tracing objects