One-handed newspaper snowballs

Children scrunch newspaper into snowballs with one hand, build a snowman from them and throw them at a target – a hand-strength exercise.

Steps

1. Each child gets several half-sheets of newspaper.
2. They put a hand in the middle of the sheet and scrunch it into a ball with their fingers, without help from the other hand. Then with the other hand.
3. Children build a snowman from the biggest balls on the floor or tape it to a large card.
4. They throw the smaller snowballs into a bin or hoop from further and further away.
5. Finally they flatten one snowball out again, smoothing it with their palms like an iron.

Tip: Scrunching with one hand strengthens the whole hand and prepares it for holding a crayon. Scrap paper or old worksheets work if there is no newspaper.

Materials needed

• Gym hoops (1–2)