Hand strengthening exercises to help kids at school

When your child starts school they’ll be getting involved in all sorts of activities, particularly learning to write. Hands can tire easily and while their strength will develop in time, there are lots of ways as a parent that you can help them develop their skills while having fun.

  1. Playdough - a fantastic material to roll, knead, cut and shape using their hands. Have you ever tried playing Dough Disco? Check out some videos on YouTube.

  2. Baking - rolling pins, cutters, holding a spoon to stir or mixing ingredients with their hands; all of these activities can build hand strength.

  3. Threading - use beads on pipe cleaners, pasta on string, cereal on spaghetti or pipe cleaners in collanders.

  4. Wool play - wrap wool around sticks to warm them up!

  5. Building blocks - connecting, dismantling, grabbing, and pressing blocks all helps develop their strength.

  6. Play with stress balls - you can create your own using balloons and flour.

  7. Climbing - encourage your children to do parkour, visit indoor climbing walls or climb play frames and monkey bars.

  8. Water play - spray bottles and water guns all help with grip strength.

  9. Punch holes in paper - this is a great exercise to try as it gives a little resistance.