Rip and Crinkle: The Paper Concert

Step by step

1. 1Gather sheets of different papers (tissue paper, printer paper, kraft paper) and remove any staples or paperclips.
2. 2Sit your baby on the floor or in their high chair, with an empty bin or basket nearby.
3. 3Scrunch a sheet close to their ear, then slowly tear a strip with exaggerated movements.
4. 4Hand them sheets one by one and let them scrunch, rip, and shake. Paper easily ends up in little mouths at this age: stay close and swap soggy scraps for a fresh sheet, no fuss.
5. 5Name the sounds and textures as you go ("Listen to that crunch! This one is so soft").
6. 6Toss all the scraps into the bin together (a game in itself!), then wash your hands.

What it builds

Tearing paper requires each hand to pull in opposite directions—a real first for hands that usually work together. And since every move makes an instant sound, baby keeps going, and practice is how they learn.