Cardboard - Page 16 of 38

The Woven Stick Bridge

Steps:

Cut a long, narrow rectangle from a piece of sturdy cardboard.
Glue several craft sticks across the rectangle, leaving small gaps.
Wait for the glue to dry until the sticks are very firm.
Tie a piece of colorful yarn to the first craft stick.
Weave the yarn over the first stick and under the second one.
Continue the pattern until you reach the end of the bridge.
Use markers to draw a scene with water under the bridge.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they use scissors or handle yarn.

The Cotton Cloud Rainbow Drop

Steps:

Use a marker to draw a large, simple rainbow shape on your piece of cardboard.
Squeeze a line of glue along the first arc of the rainbow.
Pick up cotton balls one by one and press them firmly into the glue.
Continue until the entire rainbow is covered in fluffy white clouds.
Mix a few drops of food coloring with water in separate small bowls.
Use the eyedropper to suck up the colored water.
Gently drop the color onto the cotton balls to make a rainbow.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using food coloring to avoid stains. Ensure the child does not put the cotton balls or colored water in their mouth.

The Foil Mirror Portrait

Steps:

Glue a flat piece of aluminum foil to a sturdy cardboard sheet.
Make sure the foil is as smooth as possible to create a mirror effect.
Ask your child to look at their reflection and point to their eyes.
Have them use a marker to draw their eyes right on the shiny foil.
Encourage them to add their nose, mouth, and hair to finish the portrait.
Use different colors to make the portrait bright and fun!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during the activity. Ensure they handle the cardboard and foil safely. Tuck the foil edges behind the cardboard to prevent scratches.

Vertical Post-It Peek-a-Boo

Steps:

Use masking tape to secure the cardboard vertically to a wall.
Make sure it is at your child’s chest or eye level.
Draw five large, bright shapes on the cardboard using your markers.
Write a different number inside each shape from 1 to 5.
Cover each shape completely with a single Post-It note.
Ask your child to reach up and peel a note to find a shape.
Challenge them to find a specific number you call out!
Have them stick the peeled notes onto their clothes for extra fun.

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard. This activity uses Post-Its and masking tape. Small pieces of paper or tape can be a choking hazard. Always supervise your child closely. Ensure they do not put these materials in their mouth.

The Bead Bridge Slide

Steps:

Cut two short pieces of a straw, each about two inches long.
Tape these pieces vertically onto a piece of cardboard, leaving a six-inch gap between them.
Thread four colorful beads onto a full-length straw.
Slide the ends of the long straw into the two short taped pieces to create a bridge.
Ask your child to use their pinching fingers to slide the beads from one end to the other.
Challenge them to move the beads back and forth without letting the straw bridge collapse!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required because beads and straw pieces are small and can be a choking hazard.