Scarf Pull Tube

What you need

• an empty kitchen-roll tube
• two or three scarves

How to do it

1. Push a scarf into one end of a kitchen-roll tube so a corner pokes out of the other end.
2. Show them one slow pull, so the scarf slides out through the tube.
3. Feed it back in, let them pull it through, then try the next scarf.

Why it matters

That satisfying pull works their grip and wrist strength, the same muscles they’ll use for dressing themselves.

What they're learning

Grip strength

Yanking fabric out builds the same forearm strength they'll use to pull on socks and open drawers.

Object permanence

Stuffing a scarf back in and pulling it out again teaches them things still exist even when hidden from view.

Wrist rotation

Twisting their hand to get a good grip on the scarf builds the wrist mobility used later for turning a key or a doorknob.

What to look for

Watch for them turning the box to find the opening instead of just tugging blindly.

A tip

Keep the scarves loose and separate, never knotted together, and put them away when play is done.

More like this

Ball Hand To Hand from 12 months · 5 min Muffin Tin Sort from 18 months · 5-10 min Lid Twist & Unscrew from 20 months · 5-10 min Spoons In The Bowl from 12 months · 5-10 min

Guides that use this activity

Things to do with an 18 month old at home At 18 months they want to carry, post, tip out and put back. Give them jobs that are exactly that. Activities for 1 year olds at home At one, everything is about touching, banging, tipping and watching your face.