High Chair Tape Pull: A Fun Fine Motor Activity For Your Baby
Looking for an easy way to keep your baby entertained? Try a high chair tape pull! This simple fine motor and sensory activity is perfect for babies 6-12 months. Plus, check out more engaging ideas like oil and water sensory bags and muffin pan ball fun to make learning exciting.
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The High Chair Tape Pull: A Tiny Activity with Big Benefits
If youāve got a baby in the 6-12 month range, chances are youāre always on the hunt for somethingāanythingāthat keeps them occupied for longer than 30 seconds. Enter: the high chair tape pull. Itās ridiculously simple, wildly engaging, and sneakily good for your babyās development. Plus, it requires zero prep and just one supply that you probably already have in your junk drawer.
Why Fine Motor Activities Matter (Even for Tiny Hands)
Fine motor skillsāthe ability to use small muscles in the hands and fingersāare a big deal. They set the stage for future skills like feeding themselves, holding a pencil, and eventually, tying their shoes (yes, really). The high chair tape pull is a small but mighty way to help strengthen those little hands while keeping your baby entertained.
- Hand-eye coordination boost: Every time your baby reaches for and tugs on the tape, theyāre improving their ability to coordinate what they see with how their hands move.
- Finger strength development: That pulling motion is actually a mini workout for tiny fingers, getting them ready for future tasks like grasping utensils and scribbling with crayons.
- Built-in focus practice: Babies get locked in on peeling that tape off, building concentration skills that will come in handy later for things like puzzles and problem-solving.
- Cause-and-effect fun: Pull the tape, andāvoilaāit comes off! These little discoveries lay the foundation for understanding actions and consequences.
- Sensory exploration: The sticky texture of the tape adds an extra layer of sensory learning. Sticky, smooth, crinklyālots to explore!
How to Set Up the High Chair Tape Pull
What Youāll Need:
- Painterās tape (or any tape thatās easy to peel off)
- A baby who loves to explore
How to Do It:
- Secure your baby in their high chair (because a distracted baby is a wiggly baby, and we donāt need any escape attempts today).
- Stick a few strips of painterās tape to the tray. Press them down firmly but not so much that your baby canāt get them off.
- Let your baby go to town pulling, peeling, and exploring.
- Cheer them on like they just won an Olympic medal for fine motor skills.
- Supervise and soak in the moment because this activity is simple but oh-so-satisfying to watch.
More No-Fuss Activities for Curious Little Hands
Once your baby masters the tape pull, here are two more easy activities to keep them busy:
1. Oil and Water Sensory Bag
Take a zip-top bag, fill it with water and a few drops of oil, then seal it tightly (reinforce the edges with tape if you have a mini Hulk on your hands). Babies love squishing and watching the oil swirl around, and itās a great way to introduce them to different textures and movement. Explore the full activity here!
2. Muffin Pan Ball Drop
Grab a muffin pan, toss some soft balls into the compartments, and cover each one with a strip of tape. Your baby gets to peel off the tape to reveal whatās underneathāa fun surprise that also teaches object permanence and keeps those little fingers busy. Check out the full activity here!
Making Activities Grow with Your Baby
The beauty of these activities? Theyāre totally adaptable. As your baby gets older, switch up the tape (try different colors or textures), add small floating toys to the sensory bag, or introduce balls of different sizes and textures to the muffin pan. The goal is to keep the challenge just rightānot too easy, not too hardāso their little minds stay engaged.
The Magic in Simple Moments
At the end of the day, itās not about creating Pinterest-worthy activities. Itās about meeting your baby where they are, offering opportunities to explore, and soaking in those tiny triumphs. Whether theyāre peeling tape, squishing a sensory bag, or rolling a ball across the floor, theyāre learning in the best way possibleāthrough play. So grab that roll of tape and enjoy the magic of simple, stress-free moments with your little one.



Hey, I’m Katelyn, the “Achievably Extra” Mom! Join me for creative family fun and practical tips! Let’s inspire each other!


