Buttons - Page 6 of 11

Ribbon Bridge Button Slide

Steps:

Secure a large piece of cardboard to a flat table using masking tape.
Cut four pieces of ribbon, each about three inches long.
Tape both ends of each ribbon piece to the cardboard to create small, tight bridges.
Space the bridges out in a straight or winding line across the board.
Place a colorful button at the start of the bridge path.
Challenge your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to slide the button under each bridge.
They must push the button all the way to the end without lifting it off the cardboard!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small buttons are a choking hazard. Keep materials away from the mouth.

Floating Sponge Button Stack

Steps:

Fill the aluminium foil pan halfway with water.
Place the sponge gently on top of the water so it floats.
Put a small bowl of buttons next to the pan.
Ask your child to pick up one button using their thumb and pointer finger.
Challenge them to place the button carefully onto the center of the floating sponge.
See how many buttons they can stack before the sponge tips or sinks!
Try placing buttons on the corners of the sponge to see how it wobbles.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during water play. Buttons are small and are a choking hazard. Ensure your child does not put them in their mouth.

Plate Tilt Button Slide

Steps:

Use a piece of masking tape to make a small tunnel on one side of the paper plate.
Place two colorful buttons on the plate.
Ask your child to hold the plate with both hands.
Challenge them to tilt the plate back and forth.
They must guide the buttons so they slide through the tape tunnel.
Try to see how many times they can slide the buttons through without them falling off.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Buttons are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for young children. Ensure all materials are used only as intended.

Button Bridge Balance

Steps:

Roll four or five large balls of playdough with both hands.
Press the playdough balls onto a table to create stable pillars.
Lay a craft stick across two playdough pillars to make a bridge.
Pick up one button using your thumb and pointer finger.
Carefully place the button on the narrow craft stick bridge.
See how many buttons you can stack before the bridge tips!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Buttons and playdough are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for young children.

Tension Net Drop

Steps:

Adult Prep: Twist two pipe cleaners tightly together to make 3 to 4 thick, sturdy “bands.”
Stretch the pipe cleaner bands across the container opening. Crisscross them to create a tight, resistant net.
Use masking tape to anchor the ends firmly to the container sides.
Place the buttons and craft sticks nearby. Ask your child to pick up a button using their pincer grasp.
Hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand. This provides proximal stability.
Use the craft stick to aim the button at the resistant pipe cleaner net.
Encourage a strong, controlled push to send the button popping through the network.
Repeat until all buttons are successfully dropped inside.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Buttons, pipe cleaners, and craft sticks are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.