Making & creating
Noodle squish
- Builds: Pinching and pulling
- 15 min
- Ages 1–3
- Calm
- Messy
From the house
- Cold cooked pasta (leftovers are perfect)
- A tray or baking dish
- A drop of oil
- A cup and a spoon
How to play
- Toss the pasta in a little oil so it doesn’t stick.
- They squish, pull and dangle the noodles.
- Make shapes together: a circle, a snake, a smiley face.
- Scoop and pour with a cup and spoon.
Fit it to your child
- Easier: Cut the noodles short and let them squish them, drop them and scoop them into the cup.
- Harder: Lay noodles on a dark plate to make a sun, a house or the first letter of their name.
Words to use
- squishy
- slippery
- long
- pull
- wiggle
Why it helps
Pinching, pulling and laying noodles into shapes builds finger control, and it’s fine if some gets eaten.
Grown-up eyes: Use soft, well-cooked pasta and stay with them. If they eat it, cut it into short pieces first.