(Want to Make) Giant Enemy Try to Slap Player

Hello. I need some help with one of my current projects.

I want to make an enemy (a giant creature) whose hands can follow the players (a small character) at any location, as long as they are in range. If they’re not, the enemy walks until its hands can get to the player.

I want to create an effect where the player feels like the enemy is trying to grab or slap them, but I don’t know if animations would be the best way to go.

I don’t know if the description above describes it well, so tell me if you want more info before helping me with this.