Clothespins - Page 2 of 7

The Clothespin Cliff Climber

Steps:

Place the shoe box on its side on a flat table.
Use masking tape to stick five index cards vertically along the side of the box.
Make sure the cards are spaced out like steps on a ladder.
Use markers to draw a small start flag on the bottom card and a finish flag on the top card.
Have your child use a clothespin to clip onto the bottom index card.
Challenge them to unclip and move the clothespin up to the next card without the box sliding.
Continue until the climber reaches the top flag!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during this activity to ensure they use the clothespins safely on the cards.

The Hanger Bead Elevator

Steps:

Use your scissors to cut three pieces of yarn, each about twelve inches long.
Tie the top of each piece of yarn to the bottom bar of the hanger.
Slide one large bead onto the bottom of each piece of yarn.
Tie a big knot at the bottom of the yarn so the beads stay on.
Have your child use a clothespin to pinch the bead and the yarn together.
Challenge them to slide the clothespin and bead all the way up to the top!
Ask them to move the bead back down slowly without letting it drop.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during this activity as small beads are a choking hazard.

Crumpled Leaf Twig Tree

Steps:

Stand your branch inside the container using a large lump of playdough.
Encourage your child to tear strips of tissue paper with both hands.
Ask them to crumple the paper into small balls using only their fingertips.
Have your child pick up a clothespin and squeeze it open.
They must trap a tissue paper leaf inside the clothespin.
Challenge them to clip the leaf onto a twig on the branch.
Continue until the branch is full of colorful tissue paper leaves!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small pieces of tissue paper and playdough can be a choking hazard. Watch for sharp twigs on the branches.

The Yarn Cross Clip Challenge

Steps:

Take a large, flat piece of Cardboard. Use Masking Tape to secure it to a table.
Cut several long pieces of Yarn. Tape the ends to the edges of the cardboard.
Stretch the yarn in different directions so they stretch across the middle of the board.
Make sure the yarn pieces cross each other to create several X shapes.
Give your child a handful of Clothespins. Use Markers to draw a dot on each pin.
Challenge your child to find a spot where two pieces of yarn cross.
They must reach across the board and clip a clothespin exactly on that X.
Encourage them to keep their helper hand resting on the cardboard corner for stability.
Once all the X spots are clipped, see if they can un-clip them with one hand!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended. Ensure the cardboard has smooth edges. Keep small clothespins away from younger children who might swallow them.

The Hanger Puppet Parade

Steps:

Draw three colorful characters on construction paper using your markers.
Carefully cut out each character using your scissors.
Cut three pieces of yarn, each about five inches long.
Tie one piece of yarn to the top of each paper character.
Hold the hanger steady with your non-dominant hand.
Pinch a clothespin to clip the yarn to the bottom bar of the hanger.
Hold the hanger’s hook and move it slowly from left to right.
See your puppets parade through the air!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using scissors and yarn to ensure safety.