Material: Bowl

Wet Sponge Kernel Rescue

Wet Sponge Kernel Rescue

Steps:

  • Pour water into the bowl. Drop the corn kernels onto the dry sponge. Soak the sponge fully in the water until it is heavy and saturated.
  • Use both hands to lift the sponge out of the bowl. Squeeze the sponge hard over the bowl, pressing out all the water and kernels. This is heavy work!
  • Once the sponge is damp (not dripping), place it flat on the table. The wet kernels should be sticking slightly to the surface.
  • Hold the sponge steady with your helper hand. Use the tongs to carefully pick up each wet corn kernel one by one.
  • Transfer the rescued kernels into the empty plastic container. Repeat the soaking and squeezing steps when the sponge gets too dry.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry corn kernels are small, hard objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Wet Cardboard Q-Tip Punch

Wet Cardboard Q-Tip Punch

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Mix a small amount of tempera paint with water in the bowl until the mixture is thick, but wet enough to saturate the cardboard slightly.
  • Use the spoon to paint a thick layer of the mixture onto a piece of sturdy cardboard. Let the paint soak in slightly to increase resistance, but keep the surface damp.
  • Use a marker to quickly draw small target dots randomly across the wet, painted surface.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard firmly steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to stabilize the base.
  • Pick up a Q-Tip using a strong pincer grip (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Challenge your child to aim the Q-Tip at a marker dot. Use a strong, controlled push to punch the Q-Tip straight through the wet, resistant cardboard surface.
  • Repeat this firm punching action until all the target dots have been successfully punctured.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips are small materials and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the child only pushes the Q-Tip into the cardboard, keeping it away from the face, nose, and ears.

Sponge Stick Rotation

Sponge Stick Rotation

Steps:

  • Fill the bowl with water. Soak the sponge completely. Ask your child to wring the sponge out tightly, making it damp and dense.
  • Place the damp, dense sponge firmly inside the plastic container to keep it stable on the table.
  • Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Pick up one craft stick using a comfortable grasp with your working hand.
  • Aim the flat end of the stick at the sponge. Use a strong, twisting motion to screw the stick halfway into the resistant sponge.
  • Continue twisting all the craft sticks into the sponge until the surface looks like a prickly cushion.
  • Challenge your child to reverse the movement: use a strong twist and pull to remove the sticks one by one. Try switching hands for stabilization.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure the child remains seated while working and only uses the craft sticks for the intended twisting action.

Cotton Ball Rescue Clip

Cotton Ball Rescue Clip

Steps:

  • Set up the activity by placing the empty egg carton on one side of the table and the bowl of cotton balls on the other.
  • Give the child one or two clothespins. Explain that the clothespin is a “rescue tool” used to pick up the cotton balls without using fingers.
  • Encourage the child to squeeze the clothespin open, grasp one cotton ball, and carefully transfer it into a cup of the egg carton. Try to fill every cup!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the child maintains good posture while sitting at the table. If they get frustrated with the resistance of the clothespins, try using larger, easier-to-squeeze kitchen tongs first before transitioning back to the smaller clothespins.

Treasure Transfer Challenge

Set the stage: Place two containers (like a bowl, cup, or bucket) on a table or the floor. Set them a short distance apart.

Prepare the “treasure”: Fill one of the containers with small items. You can use pom poms, small toys, or cotton balls.

Choose a tool: Give your child a pair of tongs/tweezers. If that’s too challenging, they can start with a large spoon.

Start the transfer: Ask your child to move the “treasure” pieces one by one from the full container to the empty one using only their tool.

Level up: To make it more challenging, move the containers further apart or encourage your child to use their non-dominant hand for a few turns!