Scissor Skill Activity

The following activities can be done with the Handy Scoopers or scissors given to your child in their Therapy to Go bag. You may do these activities at a table, on the floor, or on another flat surface. 

Targeted skills

• Scissor skills
• Coordination of both sides of the body
• Fine motor strength 
• Visual motor
• Language skills 

Reminders

• Watch your child while they are using scissors.  
• Be patient with your child. Give them enough time to complete each activity. 
• Demonstrate and provide education to your child with each activity before having them complete the activity. 
• Help your child as needed. 

Activities

Using Handy Scoopers

Start with the Handy Scoopers if your child has trouble using scissors. This activity helps them build skills they will need to use scissors later. 

During the activity, ask your child to say the words “open” and “close” to help them practice their language skills.

1. Ask your child to make a “thumbs up” with their dominant (strong) hand.
2. Have your child put their thumb into the smaller hole of the Handy Scoopers. 
3. Have your child put their pointer and middle fingers into the bigger hole of the Handy Scoopers. 
4. Let your child practice opening and closing the Handy Scoopers.  
5. Ask your child to rip small pieces of construction paper.
6. Have your child roll each piece into a ball.
7. Ask your child to use the Handy Scoopers to pick up the balls of paper 1 at a time. 
8. Have your child let go of the balls of paper. 

You can also allow your child to pick up small items with the Handy Scoopers. Any motivating item for them that can be used with the Handy Scoopers will be great practice. 

Using scissors to make small cuts

During this activity, ask your child to say words like “open” and “close” to help them build their language skills.

1. Ask your child to make a “thumbs up” with their dominant (strong) hand.
2. Have your child put their thumb into the smaller hole of the scissors. 
3. Have your child put their pointer and middle fingers into the bigger hole of the scissors. 
4. Let your child practice opening and closing the scissors. 
5. Have your child hold the scissors upright. 
6. Encourage your child to use their other hand to hold the paper still.  
7. Ask your child to make small cuts along the edge of the paper.

Using scissors to cut shapes

Help your child practice cutting lines and shapes. Start with the easiest design (straight lines) and work toward the hardest designs (irregular shapes or designs). 

Your child may not be able to cut all of the lines or shapes. That is OK. 

Stop when the activity gets too hard or your child has finished all of the designs.  

Straight lines

1. Draw simple, straight lines on a piece of construction paper. 
2. Ask your child to make a “thumbs up” with their dominant (strong) hand.
3. Have your child put their thumb into the smaller hole of the scissors. 
4. Have your child put their pointer and middle fingers into the bigger hole of the scissors. 
5. Let your child practice opening and closing the scissors. 
6. Have your child hold the scissors upright. 
7. Encourage your child to use their other hand to hold the paper still.  
8. Ask your child to cut the simple line that you drew.

Curved lines

1. Draw curved lines on a piece of construction paper. 
2. Ask your child to make a “thumbs up” with their dominant (strong) hand.
3. Have your child put their thumb into the smaller hole of the scissors.
4. Have your child put their pointer and middle fingers into the bigger hole of the scissors. 
5. Let your child practice opening and closing the scissors. 
6. Have your child hold the scissors upright. 
7. Encourage your child to use their other hand to hold the paper still. 
8. Ask your child to cut the curved lines that you drew one at a time.

Simple shapes (circles and squares)

1. Draw large circles and squares on a piece of construction paper. 
2. Ask your child to make a “thumbs up” with their dominant (strong) hand.
3. Have your child put their thumb into the smaller hole of the scissors.
4. Have your child put their pointer and middle fingers into the bigger hole of the scissors. 
5. Let your child practice opening and closing the scissors. 
6. Have your child hold the scissors upright. 
7. Encourage your child to use their other hand to hold the paper still. 
8. Ask your child to cut the simple shapes that you drew one at a time.

Using scissors for cutting with the activity pad 

During this activity, ask your child to take their time and get as close to the line as they can. 

Ask your child to say the words “cut on the line” as well as “go” and “stop” to help them practice their language skills. 

If your activity sheet has pictures, encourage your child to name the colors, shapes, objects, animal sounds, or anything else they see. 

1. Find a design from the scissor skills activity pad that matches your child’s skill level with scissors.
2. Ask your child to cut along the lines. 
3. Have your child glue their pieces onto a piece of construction paper.