Tricky Fingers

I'm not sure why, but I am more enthusiastic about Tricky Fingers than the kids are. Hold the plastic box in your hands and put your fingertips in the holes on the bottom to push the marbles into the pattern you want. Move new marbles into place without disturbing the marbles that are already in place. 

The marbles are plastic and there are four each of four different colors - red, blue, yellow, and green. The whole box is plastic and cannot be opened. The 14 pattern cards can be turned in four different directions, increasing the puzzles you can do over time. The backs of the pattern cards are printed with the grid in black and all the holes are white. You can color them in, or copy them, and make up your own patterns. That can at least double the number of patterns for this game! 

Tricky Fingers

Try this:

• Start by just playing with the box. Practice holding with two hands and pushing marbles from the bottom. Let the individual make up his own design or try to get all of one color in one corner.
• Model for the individual, as many have trouble coordinating holding the box while pushing marbles from the bottom with the fingers.
• Cover all but one vertical or horizontal line at a time on the pattern card if the individual doesn't know where to start or how to proceed.
• Think about your strategy before you start to avoid getting marbles cornered in the wrong locations.
• Start slowly by making your own pattern cards and color in only one color at a time. This will cover only four holes. Make a card for the four marbles in a row vertically, then a row horizontally, then four of one color in a corner. Then move to four randomly placed around the box. Don't worry about the other colors. Then move to patterns with two colors. Work your way up to all four colors.
• Work on manual and finger dexterity, finger isolation, precise fine motor control, coordinated use of both hands, visual discrimination, visual closure, figure ground, spatial relations, eye-hand coordination, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box:2 puzzle boxes, 14 puzzle pattern cards
Ages 4+, 1-2 players

 If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the image below.