Pulling Scarves from a Box
A tissue box, knotted scarves, and a pulling motion that never seems to end.
Pulling Scarves from a Box is a Montessori activity for a child aged 12 to 18 months. Area: Fine Motor. Time: 5-10 min.
What the activity builds
Coordinate a pincer grip with pulling from the arm, and experience an immediate cause and effect.
The materials
- An empty, clean tissue box
- Three or four thin scarves, in different colors
- A basket to collect them in
How to do it, step by step
- Slide the scarves into the box one at a time, leaving a corner peeking out.
- Pull the first one out slowly in front of them, until it comes all the way free.
- Set the box back down in front of them, corner clearly visible.
- Let them pull the others out, at their own pace, as many times as they want.
- Refill it in front of them again: refilling will interest them later on.
The parent's role
Show once, then step back. Don't tie the scarves together: a child pulling an endless chain isn't practicing the pincer grip anymore, they're just watching an effect happen. One scarf, one motion, one result.
Safety
⚠️ A scarf is a strangulation hazard: this activity happens ONLY under direct supervision, and the materials go up high the moment it ends, never in the crib or playpen. Choose short scarves, and retire the box if it starts to tear.
You remain the sole judge of what is right for your child. These activities are offered for educational and recreational purposes: they do not replace medical advice or the guidance of an early childhood professional.
Ways to adapt the activity
- Easier: the scarf already halfway out.
- Harder: thicker scarves, which resist more.
- Extension: they put the scarves back in the box themselves, the reverse and harder motion.
Up next
More activities for a 12 to 18 months child.
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