Spider Tape Rescue
What you need
- a shallow plastic tub or baking tray
- masking tape
- four or five toy spiders or chunky toys
- a bowl
How to do it
- Put the spiders in the tub.
- Stick strips of masking tape across the top from side to side, then criss-cross more strips over them so the spiders are trapped underneath.
- Fold over the end of each strip so there is a little tab to pinch.
- Show them how to pinch a tab and peel a strip off, then let them rescue the spiders one by one.
- Drop each spider into the bowl and count them in together.
Why it matters
Pinching a tab and pulling it takes a finger and thumb working together, and a trapped spider gives them a reason to keep going until every one is out.
What they're learning
- Finger and thumb grip
- Pinching the tab and pulling it back is a pincer grip with a purpose.
- Sticking with it
- Each strip is a small job, and seeing a spider come free keeps them going.
- Counting along
- Counting the spiders into the bowl lets them hear the numbers in order.
What to look for
Watch which hand they use to pinch and whether they hold the tub with the other. Either way, a strip pulled off is a win.
A tip
Masking tape peels easily and won't mark a table. Use spiders too big to fit through a toilet roll tube so nothing small ends up in a mouth.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: use only three or four strips going one way so each peel frees a spider quickly
Harder: add more layers of tape and leave the tabs folded flat so they have to find the ends
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Fine motor activities · Activities for 1 year olds · Activities for 18 month olds · Toddler activities with a bowl · Toddler activities with a tray · Toddler activities with masking tape