🧠 Why Grip Strength Matters

When most people think “grip,” they think crayons or scissors. But before your child ever picks up a pencil, their grip affects almost everything—from holding a spoon to climbing up the slide.

And here’s the thing: grip strength doesn’t start in the hands. It starts in the core and shoulders.
A strong grip is built from the inside out.

🛋️ Real Life Moment
The other day, I was trying to clean my just-turned-one-year-old’s ears—which, let’s be honest, is not always that easy. So I stuck a Squig suction toy on my forehead like a unicorn and made a ridiculous sound.

He paused. Stared. Then reached out and yanked it off my head with both hands.
We both burst out laughing—and then he did it again.

In that moment, we weren’t doing therapy. We were just playing.
But that pull? That laugh? That squeeze? It was grip strength in action.

🛠️ A Simple Daily Routine for Stronger Hands

Here’s a gentle, doable way to build grip strength—using movement patterns your child already loves.
No worksheets. No timers. Just 10–15 minutes of playful positions and sensory-rich tools.

Try this:

1. 2–3 Minutes of Prone Play (Tummy Time, Big Kid Edition)

Lay your child on their belly with a favorite toy, puzzle, or book just in front of them.
• Encourage reaching forward or propping on elbows.
• Bonus: place toys slightly off to the side to encourage weight shifts.

⏱️ Do this for 2–3 minutes, 2x/day—great after naps or before dinner.

2. 2 Rounds of Wheelbarrow Walking

Hold your child’s legs (just above the knees or at the hips for littler ones) while they “walk” on their hands.
• Start with short distances—5–10 steps is plenty at first.
• Make it silly: pretend they’re an animal or truck!

🔁 Repeat twice, with 30–60 seconds of rest between rounds.

3. 5 Minutes of “Work Toy” Play

Choose any of the grip-building toys below and let your child explore through play:

• Squigz: Stick 3–5 to a mirror, fridge, bathtub, or even your forehead and let your child pull them off one by one. The best thing about these is they suction to each other, as well!
• Putty or Play Dough: Hide 5–6 beads or buttons inside and have them find them using just their fingers.
• Pop Tubes: Stretch, twist, and connect for 2–3 minutes of satisfying resistance. A little game of tug of war is always fun. 

🌀 Rotate toys daily to keep things fresh—aim for 5 minutes total play time.

🧠 Built-In Bonus: All Fours Play

Whenever possible, encourage toy time in a quadruped position (on hands and knees). Coloring, stacking, or puzzles on the floor in this position builds core, wrist, and shoulder stability—key ingredients for grip strength.

📍 Tip: Set up their activity tray or mat on the floor instead of the table a few times a week.

🔬 Why It Works

Grip strength relies on more than just fingers.
It starts with a stable core, shoulders, strong wrists, and hands. These simple activities give deep proprioceptive input, build motor planning, and prepare your child’s hands for everyday skills like eating, dressing, and eventually writing.