Hands & independence

Transfer with kitchen tongs

Move large soft items between two bowls using child-sized tongs, hands or both, with no race or score.

10 minutes

What you'll need

Child-sized blunt tongs · Two unbreakable bowls · Six large soft play items

Before you start

Child can interact with large age-appropriate craft or play materials in their preferred way

Best fit: indoors · calm energy · medium caregiver effort · medium mess

How to play

  1. Place both bowls securely on a low table or floor.
  2. Show one slow squeeze with fingers away from the hinge.
  3. Let the child transfer in either direction and switch to hands whenever wanted.
Make it easier

Use hands or a large scoop instead of tongs.

Standard

Move large soft items between two bowls using child-sized tongs, hands or both, with no race or score.

Extend it

Sort by colour or move items around a simple obstacle without timing.

What you might notice

Notice grip, release and when the child chooses a different tool.

Keep it safe

Use blunt child-sized tongs and large non-food items that cannot be swallowed. Supervise the hinge and fingers, do not use hot or breakable kitchenware, and stop if the tool pinches.

Why it may be useful

This everyday task offers practice with hand control, two-handed coordination and growing independence.

practice guidance

Provides practice opportunities; it is not a therapy or assessment of motor development.

Raising Children Network (2025) — Toddler play: ideas, games and activities

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