Material: Buttons

The Fuzzy Button Link

The Fuzzy Button Link

Steps:

  • Select several colorful pipe cleaners and a handful of large buttons.
  • Show your child how to thread a pipe cleaner through a button hole.
  • Ask them to pull it halfway and twist the end to secure it.
  • Have them thread the other end through a hole in another button.
  • Continue connecting buttons with pipe cleaners to form a long link chain.
  • Challenge your child to see how many links they can add to the chain!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play as buttons and pipe cleaners can be a choking hazard.

The Craft Stick Raft Challenge

The Craft Stick Raft Challenge

Steps:

  • Place four craft sticks side-by-side on the table.
  • Use two long strips of masking tape to stick them together into a flat raft.
  • Fill your aluminium foil pan halfway with cool water.
  • Carefully set your craft stick raft on top of the water so it floats.
  • Use your thumb and pointer finger to place one button at a time onto the raft.
  • Keep adding buttons until the raft begins to dip or sink into the water!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Buttons and masking tape are small and can be a choking hazard.

The Secret Keyhole Drop

The Secret Keyhole Drop

Steps:

  • Cut a narrow slot in a piece of cardboard using your scissors.
  • Use your markers to draw a treasure chest or a door around the secret slot.
  • Tape a craft stick to the edge of a large button to create a key handle.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard upright with their helper hand.
  • They must twist their wrist to align the button with the slot to push it through.
  • Try making the slot horizontal or vertical to change the wrist movement.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using scissors and small buttons to prevent any choking hazards.

The Ziplock Button Slide

The Ziplock Button Slide

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw three different colored circles on the front of a Ziplock bag.
  • Place buttons that match those colors inside the bag.
  • Add a small splash of water to the bag.
  • Seal the bag very tightly to prevent leaks.
  • Tape the bag flat onto a table using masking tape.
  • Ask your child to use their pointer finger to slide buttons into the matching circles.
  • Encourage them to move slowly to keep the buttons under their finger.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Buttons are a choking hazard. Ensure the bag is sealed and taped down firmly.

The Foil Button Press

The Foil Button Press

Steps:

  • Tear off a large sheet of aluminum foil.
  • Use both hands to crumple the foil into a flat, thick pancake shape.
  • Press down hard on the foil with your palm to make it dense.
  • Give your child a handful of colorful buttons.
  • Ask them to press each button firmly into the foil surface.
  • The foil will wrap around the edges to hold the buttons tight!
  • Try to cover the whole foil pancake with a button pattern.

Safety Tip:
Buttons are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during play.