Hand Strength and Dexterity Activities

1.  Lay palm flat - put a coin or bingo chip on each  finger and lift each one in isolation. You can hold down the other fingers with the opposite hand at first. Challenge yourself by adding additional coins and trying to lift without stabilizing any fingers, or lift different               combinations of two fingers at a time.

2.  Games with small pieces - marbles, checkers, dice, beads, blocks, etc. You can use them in unconventional ways such as sorting, lining up, grasp and release into a cup or bucket, etc.

3.  Use clay, play-doh or real cookie dough - use cookie cutters, different utensils, rolling pins, etc. Stretch, squeeze, roll, and be creative! Make animals or letters, copy each other's creations.

4.  With a small dumbbell or canned good (1 lb. at most), try to work up to 10 reps at first:

    a. extend the wrist (palm down) 

    b.  flex the wrist (palm up, bring fingers toward ceiling) 

    c.  pronate and supinate -- turn the wrist from floor to ceiling

5.  Activities requiring supination (twisting of the wrist), including opening doors, using a spatula, buttoning, knobs, zippers, etc.

6.  Squeeze a tennis or squishy ball - start with 10 reps and work up -- this is easy to do while watching T.V., riding in the car, etc.      

7.  Put clothespins around the edge of a cup. Practice pinching, releasing them, putting them in the cup.  The goal is to use just the thumb and index finger. Challenge yourself by racing the clock or a friend, and by using different combinations of fingers opposing the thumb - can you do it with the thumb and pinky?

8.  Help around the kitchen or workshop! Activities such as rolling out dough, mixing, pouring, measuring,  and using other household tools are terrific builders of fine motor, hand strength, and visual-motor skills.