Sunday, September 20, 2015

Craft Activity for Kids: Tissue Box Guitar


 
 Materials Needed: tape, tissue box, colorful paper, paper towel roll, rubber bands, and scissors
Instructions:
1.     To prepare the tissue box, cut the plastic protector out of the middle.
2.     Outline the all sides of the tissue box and paper towel onto the paper.
3.     Cut out the outline and line them up to their appropriate side to confirm proper alignment.
4.     Trace and cut the center of the tissue box on the top piece of paper.
5.     On the short side of the tissue box, cut a circle to fit the dimensions of the paper towel roll.
6.     Cover the paper towel roll in its correlating paper using tape, and stuff it into the hole designated on the tissue box.
7.     Tape the paper towel roll into place on the tissue box’s internally and externally.
8.     Tape all sides of the tissue box with the paper cut outs.
9.     Cut a small slit into one side of the paper towel roll as close to the tissue box as possible.
10. Place a rubber band in the slit and wrap it around the tissue box until it is touching both ends of this box.
11. Place at least one rubber band on either side of the initial rubber band. (depending on the size of your tissue box you may apply numerous rubber bands)

Purpose: This is a wonderful craft activity for kids! This guitar provides unique sounds with each stroke. Playing the guitar uses fine motor skills such as cutting, using tape, and placing the rubber bands. By decreasing the instructions to only a few steps at a time, any child can build their attention to activities while working on other skills. Many children will find this kids craft enjoyable!  Cutting the circle out of the tissue box for the paper towel roll can be difficult and should be done by the parent/therapist.

The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Pediatric Occupational Therapy Activity: A Clothespin Wreath


Are you looking for pediatric occupational therapy activities? Craft activities for kids are fun and are great for a variety of skills. Check out this clothespin wreath!  This is a fun art project for kids, and it's also appropriate as a toddler activity.  

Materials Needed:
1 package of wooden clothespins
A sturdy paper plate
Paint and paint brushes
Scissors

Instructions: 
1. Have the child cut a circular hole in the middle of the plate.  If the child is learning to cut on a line, draw the circle using a brightly colored magic marker and instruct her to cut on the line. 
2. Use the paintbrush and paint the plate and wooden clothespins any colors the child prefers. 

3. Once the plate is dry, the clothes pins need to be placed along the rim until there is no more room on the plate. 

Squeezing and placing the clothespins improves finger strength and dexterity, and the wreath makes a lovely gift for any mom!

Browse my blog for more craft activities for kids!

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The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Adaptive Card Holder for Kids

This adaptive card holder for kids is inexpensive and super easy to make!  A playing card holder is helpful for children with limited coordination, or it comes in handy for "hands-free" card playing!
Materials Needed:
·      Ice cube trays for graded up adaptive equipment
·      1 Styrofoam block
·      Hot glue sticks and hot glue gun
·      Suction cups to secure ice cube trays to table
·      Playing cards

Adaptive Card Holder for Kids Instructions:
Place ice cube trays upside down on table.  Place the individual playing cards on the edge of the ice cube tray as pictured below.  Enjoy the card game!

Stacked Adaptive Card Holder for Kids Instructions:
1.     Turn 3 ice cube trays upside down on the table.
2.     Use hot glue gun to glue each long edge of tray to the bottom tray below it creating a staggered step.  Place the individual playing cards on the edges of the trays.
Raised Adaptive Card Holder for Kids Instructions:
1.     Turn 3 ice cube trays upside down on table.
2.     Use hot glue gun to glue each long edge of tray to the bottom tray below it creating a staggered step.
3.     Place individual playing cards on the edges of the trays.  Hot glue the staggered ice cube tray to the styrofoam block to raise it off of the table.

The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.
Dear Readers, If you have found my blog to be helpful, please click here and "like" my facebook page... 
Thanks :)