The Sparkly Pipe Cleaner Spectacles

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 15 to 20 minutes
Setup:: 2 minutes
Where:: Table

Why it helps

This activity is a wonderful way for your child to use both hands together. As they bend the pipe cleaners, they are working on hand strength and planning. Threading the tiny beads onto the wire is a great challenge for their pincher fingers. This helps them get ready for big-kid skills like buttoning their clothes or holding a pencil. Plus, they get a fun pair of pretend glasses to wear when they are done!

Steps

Before play, cut two pipe cleaners in half. Two halves will be the lenses and two will be the arms.
Ask your child to slide colorful beads onto one lens piece, leaving about an inch bare at each end. Then fill the second lens piece.
Bend each beaded piece into a circle and twist the bare ends together to close it.
Cut a short piece from another pipe cleaner and twist it between the two circles to make the nose bridge.
Twist one arm piece onto the outer side of each circle.
Bend the end of each arm down so it rests over your child's ears.
Tuck in any sharp wire tips, then let your child try on their sparkly glasses.

Safety tip: Beads are a choking hazard, so stay close and keep them away from younger siblings. Cut wire ends can be sharp, so tuck every tip in, especially near the eyes.

Make it easier

Use pony beads with big holes, which slide on easily.
Bend the frames for your child and let them add the beads.
Fold a small loop at one end of the pipe cleaner so beads cannot slide off.

Make it harder

Copy a color pattern with the beads on each lens.
Shape the lenses into stars, hearts, or squares.
Use smaller beads that fit snugly, so each one takes a firm push to slide on.

What to watch for

Notice how the helper hand holds the pipe cleaner while the other hand slides beads on.
Watch whether your child twists the ends with the fingertips or wraps them with the whole hand.
If the glasses feel scratchy on the face, let your child put them on a stuffed animal or a doll instead.

Where this helps in daily life

Bending, twisting, and threading with both hands use the same finger control kids need to close a twist tie on a bread bag, thread a lace, and put on glasses or sunglasses.

These activities are for home practice and don't replace the guidance of a licensed therapist.