Hands & independence

Tear and paste a picture

Tear broad strips of paper and overlap the pieces with a glue stick to make an open-ended picture.

10 minutes

What you'll need

Washable non-toxic glue stick · Large sheets of plain or coloured paper · Large backing paper

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. Tear one broad strip together and place it on the backing paper.
  2. Let the child tear, arrange and overlap large pieces.
  3. Use a small amount of glue, press pieces down and name the child's choices.
Make it easier

Pre-tear several large pieces and focus on arranging and pressing.

Standard

Tear broad strips of paper and overlap the pieces with a glue stick to make an open-ended picture.

Extend it

Plan one area of colour or texture, then change the picture as new pieces appear.

What you might notice

Notice how the child coordinates tearing, arranging and pressing rather than whether the picture resembles something.

Keep it safe

Use washable, non-toxic, age-labelled glue under direct supervision. Keep paper pieces large, remove torn scraps afterward, prevent mouthing, and wash hands when finished.

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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