Cardboard - OTPlan

Twist and Drill Wall Work

Steps:

First, use the masking tape to secure a piece of sturdy cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door at your child’s chest height.
Press a large, thick lump of Theraputty or stiff playdough firmly onto the center of the vertical cardboard. This is your resistant drill target.
Hold the craft stick like a pencil. Encourage your child to use their helper hand to stabilize the cardboard next to the putty.
Aim the craft stick at the putty. Use strong finger pressure and a twisting motion to ‘drill’ the stick deep into the resistant putty.
Switch directions and twist the stick the opposite way to pull it out. Repeat this drill motion, filling the putty surface with holes.
Try putting all the sticks in, then pull them out. See how fast you can twist and drill all the sticks into the target!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Theraputty (or playdough) and craft sticks are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Tacky Track Bead Push

Steps:

First, draw a winding path or a thick circle onto the cardboard using a marker.
Use the glue bottle to carefully trace a thick, continuous line of liquid glue over the marked path. Controlled squeezing is key!
Immediately sprinkle a thick layer of dry beans onto the wet glue line. Press the beans down firmly and let the glue set for 5-10 minutes until it is very tacky, but not completely dry.
Place the cardboard on a table. Hold the cardboard firmly steady with your helper hand.
Pick up one small bead using a precise pincer grasp. Place the bead near the start of the tacky bean path.
Use the tip of a craft stick to push the bead along the resistant, sticky track. Use strong, sustained force to move the bead without lifting it.
Continue pushing the bead to the end of the path. Repeat the challenge by pushing more beads along the sticky line.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small beads and dry beans pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Layered Cardboard Pin Weave

Steps:

Prep the surface by taping two Index Cards tightly together. Secure this layered card firmly onto a piece of Cardboard using Masking Tape.
Use a Marker to draw 8 to 10 small target dots across the layered card. Ensure the targets are spaced out.
Challenge your child to hold the cardboard base steady with their helper hand to stabilize the work area.
Pick up one Q-Tip using a strong pincer grasp. Aim the Q-Tip at a target dot.
Use a strong, controlled push to pierce the Q-Tip completely through the resistant layered cards and into the cardboard base. This takes effort!
Once all dots are pierced, gently remove the Q-Tips. Pick up a stiff Pipe Cleaner and thread it through the newly created holes to weave a colorful pattern.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips and cut pipe cleaner pieces are small materials and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Adults should manage the scissors for preparation.

Tight Band Tunnel Clip

Steps:

Adult Prep: Twist 4 to 5 pipe cleaners tightly into small, dense resistance loops. Use masking tape to secure the paper roll upright onto the center of the cardboard base.
Secure the loops by clipping them firmly onto the top edge of the paper roll using a few clothespins. Ensure the bands are taut and resistant.
Challenge your child to sit stably and hold the cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the work.
Pick up a clothespin. Encourage a strong, full squeeze to open it wide.
Aim the open clothespin and clip it onto the paper roll, positioning it directly underneath one of the tight pipe cleaner bands. Feel the effort!
Repeat the squeezing and clipping until the entire visible surface of the paper roll is covered in colorful clothespins.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners and clothespins are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are collected immediately after play.

Vertical Target Poke

Steps:

Secure a sturdy piece of Cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door using Masking Tape. This sets up your vertical work surface.
Use a Marker to draw 10 small target dots randomly across the Cardboard surface where your child should aim.
Tape a piece of Foam Sheet firmly onto the back of the Cardboard, covering the target dot area. This provides resistance when pushing.
Encourage your child to pick up a Q-Tip using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Ask them to aim the cotton tip of the Q-Tip at a marker dot.
Use a strong, controlled push to pierce the Cardboard and plant the Q-Tip deep into the resistant Foam backing. Feel the effort!
Repeat this heavy work until all target dots are successfully filled with Q-Tips.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips are small materials and pose a potential choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the vertical board is secured firmly before beginning the activity.