16 activities
Drop It In
Practice dropping objects into containers of different sizes.
1. Set out 2-3 containers of different sizes — a large bowl, a medium cup, and a small cup.
2. Give your child a collection of safe objects — large blocks, soft balls, chunky crayons.
3. Start with the large bowl: show your child how to hold an object over it and let go. "Drop! In it goes!"
... See full activity in the app
2-3 containers of different sizesLarge blocks or soft balls
Moderate
Stack It Up
Place one block on top of another to build early stacking skills.
1. Sit on the floor with your child and 3-4 large, lightweight blocks.
2. Place one block on the floor and slowly put a second one on top: "Look, I'm stacking!"
3. Encourage your child to try: hand them a block and point to the tower. "Can you put one on top?"
... See full activity in the app
3-4 large lightweight blocks
Moderate
Finger Foods Feast
Offer a variety of finger foods to practice self-feeding.
1. At mealtime, place 3-4 different finger foods on your child's tray — soft banana pieces, steamed carrot sticks, toast strips, cheese cubes.
2. Let your child choose what to pick up — the choosing is part of the learning.
3. Describe the textures as they eat: "That banana is squishy! The toast is crunchy."
... See full activity in the app
Variety of soft finger foods
Easy
Poke and Press
Use the index finger to push, poke, and press things.
1. Find toys or objects with buttons, switches, or holes — a toy phone, a light switch, a large pegboard.
2. Show your child how to push a button with one finger: "Press it! Look what happens!"
3. Let them poke at the buttons and switches on their own. The cause-and-effect keeps them motivated.
... See full activity in the app
Toys with buttons or switchesSoft playdough
Moderate
Two Hands Together
Practice using both hands at the same time for simple tasks.
1. Give your child a toy that needs two hands — a large ball, a pot with a lid, a container with a block inside.
2. Show them how to hold the container with one hand and reach inside with the other.
3. Try clapping games: hold your child's hands and clap them together gently. "Clap clap clap!"
... See full activity in the app
Large ball or container with lidBoard book2 blocks
Moderate
Turn the Page
Flip through a board book together, one page at a time.
1. Choose a sturdy board book with thick pages that are easy to grip.
2. Sit your child on your lap and hold the book together.
3. Turn one page slowly, letting your child see your fingers grip and flip. "Let's see what's next!"
... See full activity in the app
Sturdy board book with thick pages
Easy
Stir and Scoop
Practice using a spoon to stir and scoop from a bowl.
1. Give your child a small, baby-friendly spoon and a bowl with a thick food like yogurt or oatmeal.
2. Show them how to dip the spoon in and stir: "Round and round!"
3. Help them scoop a small amount and guide the spoon toward their mouth.
... See full activity in the app
Baby-friendly spoonBowl with thick food like yogurt
Advanced
Cheerio Pickup
Practice picking up small cereal pieces with thumb and index finger.
1. Place 5-6 large, round cereal pieces (like Cheerios or puffs) on your child's highchair tray.
2. Point to them: "Look! Can you pick one up?"
3. Watch how your child grasps — they may rake with the whole hand at first.
... See full activity in the app
round cereal pieces or puffs
Easy
Bang Together
Give your baby two objects and encourage them to bang them together.
1. Hand your child one block (or wooden spoon) in each hand.
2. Demonstrate: bang your two objects together. "Clap! Bang!"
3. Encourage your child to do the same: "Can you bang them together?"
... See full activity in the app
two wooden blocks or spoons
Moderate
Controlled Release
Practice letting go of objects on purpose — into your hand, into a cup, onto a target.
1. Hold your open palm in front of your child while they are holding a small toy.
2. Say, "Can you give it to me? Put it here!" and point to your palm.
3. If your child drops it into your hand, celebrate: "You gave it to me! Thank you!"
... See full activity in the app
small toyswide cup
Advanced
Peg Play
Let your baby poke their index finger into holes in a pegboard or colander.
1. Find a safe object with holes: a kitchen colander (large holes), a pegboard toy, or a muffin tin.
2. Place it in front of your child.
3. Demonstrate: poke your index finger into a hole. "Look! My finger goes in!"
... See full activity in the app
colander or pegboard toy
Advanced
Crayon First Mark
Give your baby a large crayon and paper and let them make their first marks.
1. Tape a large piece of paper to your child's highchair tray or the floor.
2. Offer a large, chunky crayon (or a washable marker with the cap removed).
3. Show your child how it works: make a few strokes on the paper. "Look! The crayon makes marks!"
... See full activity in the app
large chunky crayonpapertape
Advanced
Lid Lift Off
Practice pulling lids, tops, and covers off containers to build grip and pull strength.
1. Gather 3-4 containers with easy-to-remove lids: a plastic food container, a shoebox, a pot with a knob lid.
2. Place a toy inside each container and put the lid on loosely.
3. Show your child the first container: "There's something inside! Can you open it?"
... See full activity in the app
containers with lidssmall toys to hide inside
Advanced
Tear Paper
Let your baby practice tearing tissue paper or thin paper for bilateral hand coordination.
1. Give your child a piece of tissue paper or a thin sheet of wrapping paper.
2. Hold one edge and let them hold the other.
3. Show them how to pull in opposite directions: "Pull! Riiip!"
... See full activity in the app
tissue paper or thin paper
Advanced
Ball Throw
Practice intentional throwing — the most advanced form of voluntary release.
1. Sit on the floor facing your child, about 2 feet apart.
2. Hand them a soft, lightweight ball (tennis-ball size or larger).
3. Hold your hands out: "Throw it to me!"
... See full activity in the app
soft lightweight ball
Advanced
Lid Off Lid On
Practice removing and replacing lids on containers
1. Give your child a container with a loose-fitting lid.
2. Show how to pull the lid off: "Off!"
3. Show how to put it back: "On!"
... See full activity in the app
containers with loose lids
Easy