Paper Tear Basket: illustration of a toddler doing the activity

Paper Tear Basket

from 14 months · 10-15 min · Fine motor

Physical DevelopmentUnderstanding the World

What you need

  • scrap paper
  • small basket

How to do it

  1. Give your toddler a stack of scrap paper.
  2. Show them how to grip an edge with both hands and rip.
  3. Let them tear away and drop the pieces into a basket.
  4. Sweep or scoop the paper bits together at the end.

Why it matters

Tearing paper with two hands pulling in opposite directions is a favorite early strength-builder that always ends in a satisfying rip.

What they're learning

Bilateral coordination
Pulling two hands in opposite directions is a foundational two-hand skill used later for opening packaging and tying shoes.
Hand strength
The resistance of tearing paper builds grip strength useful for holding pencils and cutlery.
Cause & effect
Watching one sheet become many pieces under their own effort reinforces a direct action-result link.

What to look for

Watch for them using both hands purposefully rather than just crumpling — that's the bilateral tear pattern forming.

A tip

Keep paper scraps in a basket out of reach of younger siblings who might mouth them.

Make it easier or harder

Easier: pre-crease the paper so it tears more easily

Harder: tear paper into pieces small enough to fit through a slot cut in a shoebox lid

More like this

Egg Carton Pom Sort illustration Egg Carton Pom Sort from 18 months · 10-15 min Sticky Note Peel illustration Sticky Note Peel from 18 months · 5-10 min Tower Of Ten illustration Tower Of Ten from 24 months · 10-15 min Velcro Strip Pull Apart illustration Velcro Strip Pull Apart from 14 months · 5-10 min

Browse

Fine motor activities · Activities for 1 year olds · Activities for 18 month olds · Activities for 2 year olds · Toddler activities with a basket · Toddler activities with paper