Basket - Page 3 of 8

Floating Feather Fans

Steps:

Lay a long strip of butcher paper on the floor to make your landing runway.
Use masking tape to secure a basket at the very end of the paper.
Have your child lie on their tummy at the start of the runway.
Place a soft feather in front of them on the paper.
Hand your child a straw and ask them to blow air through it.
Challenge them to push the feather forward using only their breath.
If the feather gets stuck, give them a paper plate to use as a fan.
Encourage them to wave the plate to create wind and move the feather.
The goal is to get the feather all the way into the basket!
Repeat the race and see if they can do it faster each time.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child closely while they are lying on the floor. Ensure the room is clear of sharp corners or hard furniture. Keep straws away from eyes and mouth after use.

Standing Newspaper Foot Crumple Challenge

Steps:

Lay a flat sheet of newspaper on a smooth floor or rug.
Ask your child to stand on one leg next to the paper.
Use the other foot to slowly crinkle and crumple the paper into a ball.
The child must keep their standing foot still the whole time.
Once it is a ball, use the foot to push it into a basket.
Switch legs and try to crumple a new sheet of paper!
Challenge them to do it faster each time they play.

Safety Tip:
Ensure your child is near a wall or a sturdy chair for support if they lose their balance.

The Cotton Ball Scoop Race

Steps:

Place a large bowl filled with cotton balls on a table in front of your child.
Set an empty basket a short distance away on the same table.
Hand your child a spoon and show them how to scoop up one cotton ball.
Encourage them to carry the ‘cloud’ on the spoon without letting it fall.
Ask them to drop the cotton ball gently into the empty basket.
Challenge them to fill the entire basket as fast as they can!
To add a challenge, move the basket further away to encourage longer reaching.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they use the spoon safely. Keep all materials away from the mouth to prevent any risk.

The Rainbow Ribbon Spool

Steps:

Tape the end of three colorful ribbons to the center of a paper roll.
Place the paper roll horizontally inside a small basket.
Use masking tape to secure the ends of the roll to the basket sides.
This allows the roll to spin in place like a spool of thread.
Encourage your child to pull a ribbon to unwind it completely.
Show them how to use both hands to wind the ribbon back up.
They must use their tiny fingers to keep the ribbon tight.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Ribbons and tape are small parts. Always watch your child closely during play.

The Pool Noodle Steamroller

Steps:

Use masking tape to mark a start and finish line on a soft rug.
Place several stuffed animals in a row between the two lines.
Give your toddler a long pool noodle to hold with both hands.
Encourage them to roll the noodle over the toys while crawling.
Have them push down hard to steamroll each fluffy friend.
Put the toys in a basket once they reach the finish line.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they stay safe. Pool noodles can be a choking hazard if small pieces are swallowed.