Materials
A bag of walnuts in the shell
A set of tongs big enough to accommodate a walnut
An empty egg carton
Directions
Place the walnuts in a basket or bowl. Supply your child with a pair of tongs that are big enough and will grip the walnut. Salad tongs that are attached or some toaster tongs will work. (Walmart sells small tongs inexpensively. )
Tongs take practice—so demonstrate to your child how to use a pair. Once he or she gets the idea, let him transfer the walnuts from the bowl to the egg carton. Bigger cartons, holding a dozen and a half or two dozen are ideal. This activity demands persistence, focus, and exercising fine muscles—and it’s fun!