If you’re studying the muscle system or the skeletal system this year, you have to try our muscular system hand craft with your kids. My daughter saw her brother create one from our homeschool co-op class and she wanted to make her own hand.
Of course, it was used to hit each other with it afterward but apparently, that was very exciting for them. They will absolutely love making this Muscular System hand craft for kids!
This was coincidental because the third month of the Tinker Crate subscription box also lets you craft a Bionicle hand. This gave us a chance to work on it twice and my son learned even more with Tinker Crate after going over the human body with me.
>> See more human body activities for kids
Muscular System Hand Craft for Kids
This is such a great STEM activity for the kids. I love the creativity behind it and the kids loved being able to create and build this on their own. Not only did they learn to follow directions but they were so pleased with the outcome of this hand craft as well.
Make certain that you’re there for guidance and support as they’re working through this craft. There might be sections that they need your help in completing it all the way through.
Hand Craft Supplies
Below are the supplies that you’ll need for this simple learning craft.
- Card stock paper
or cardboard - String or yarn
- Straws
- Tape
- Scissors
- Pencil
or cardboard
Hand Craft Directions
Outline your hand on the cardstock and cut it out.
Cut three straw segments for each finger and two for the thumb, we used the long portion to go down the hand to the wrist.
Line up the straw segments on each finger, make sure they are aligned and tape them down without covering the ends.
Tape the yarn to the back of the hand and then thread it through each finger segment down to the wrist.
Repeat with each finger.
Talk to your child about this craft and how it makes them feel. Then, expand a bit and talk about everything that we use our hands for.
What I love about this craft is that it opens up the lines of communication and really gets the kids thinking.
Recommended Human Body Kits
Since you’re going to be creating this hand craft, take this time to dive into some other great kits as well. If you have a child who is interested in learning more about the human body, embrace that and keep going with the learning!
You can explore how close the muscle system and skeletal system work together. Bones cannot move without muscle.
SmartLab Toys Squishy Human Body
ZUINIUBI Human Torso Body Anatomy Model Heart Brain Skeleton Medical School Educational 11inchLearning Resources Anatomy Models Bundle Set, Brain, Body, Heart, Skeleton, Grades 3+Body Systems Chart Set
This is a wonderful fine motor activity for kids since you have to thread the yarn through the straws. My daughter did most of it but had some trouble with the longer straws and got tired and needed my help which I was glad to do.
Our hands have been well-loved as there are starting to rip, you can also do this with a thicker cardboard if you’d prefer something more sturdy. Our students adored this craft and the other parents were impressed with what their kids had retained from our class.
It’s a wonderful feeling to know that the students are actually listening when I’m talking, lol, because it never feels like that in class.
Need more human body activities? The Human Body book for Early Learning is coming out soon!
Nelia says
Excellent ideas – the hands, as well as the skeleton! Thank you so much!
Monique says
You’re welcome, glad you like them.
Rekha says
Great job for making study interactive.i found it useful.
Megan Brown says
Quick Question: How did you connect the string at the top of the hand? Trying to figure this really cool activity out! Thanks.
Monique says
I tape it to the back of the hand so it’s secure.
Natalie says
This is really cool!
Monique says
It is, the kids love this.
Liv T says
This looks awesome! I’m looking to do this with groups of kids 4-11. When you thread the yarn through the straw, so I need a long “threader” or does the yarn push through fairly easily? Trying think about my younger kids.
Monique says
It depends on the yarn and the size of your straw but if you can’t get it through easily, you can tape the ends of your yarn with scotch tape to make it easier for younger kids. With my group of 5th graders, they had no issues.