Material: Cardboard

The Balancing Button Pendulum

The Balancing Button Pendulum

Steps:

  • Tape one end of the string to the top of a doorway.
  • Use the hole puncher to make two holes in the paper cup.
  • Tie the other end of the string through the holes to hang the cup.
  • Place five buttons inside the cup to give it a little weight.
  • Set up three cardboard strips as pins on the floor nearby.
  • Pull the cup back and release it to knock the pins down.
  • Try to keep the buttons inside the cup during the swing!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the doorway is clear of traffic and the string is not left unattended to prevent tripping.

Ribbon Bridge Button Slide

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.

Fan-Fold Color Towers

Fan-Fold Color Towers

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw bright patterns on three index cards.
  • Show your child how to fold the card back and forth to create a fan or accordion shape.
  • Press each fold firmly with your thumb and index finger to make the creases very sharp.
  • Squeeze a few dots of glue onto a sturdy cardboard base.
  • Stand the folded card upright on the glue to create a wavy tower.
  • Pick up a pom-pom using your pinching fingers and glue it onto the peaks of the paper fans.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using glue to ensure it stays on the craft and away from faces.

The Paper Plate Ring Toss

The Paper Plate Ring Toss

Steps:

  • Help your child use the scissors to cut the center out of four paper plates to make rings.
  • Tape a paper roll vertically onto the center of a sturdy piece of cardboard to create a post.
  • Use markers to decorate the rings and the post with bright colors.
  • Place the target on the floor and mark a starting line with masking tape a few feet away.
  • Ask your child to stand behind the line and try to toss the rings onto the post.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required while using scissors. Ensure the play area is clear of toys to prevent tripping.

The Sticky Maze Jewel Hunt

The Sticky Maze Jewel Hunt

Steps:

  • Place the cardboard on a stable table.
  • Use markers to draw a winding path from one end to the other.
  • Fold small strips of masking tape so the sticky side faces out.
  • Stick these tape loops along the edges of your drawn path.
  • Place several beads at different spots inside the path.
  • Give your child the tweezers to hold with their writing hand.
  • Challenge them to pick up each bead carefully.
  • They must lift the beads without touching the sticky walls.
  • Move the beads to a plastic container to win the game!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Small beads are a choking hazard. Ensure the tweezers are used only for the activity.