Clothespins - Page 4 of 8

Vertical Fuzzy Line Clip

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use markers to color 3 or 4 pipe cleaners and matching clothespins (e.g., green, blue, pink).
Adult Prep: Tightly stretch the pipe cleaners vertically across the container opening. Secure the ends firmly with tape or punch holes in the container rim to anchor the pipe cleaners.
Place the pom-poms and colorful clothespins nearby. Encourage your child to sit stably at the table.
Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the ‘fence.’
Use the working hand to select a clothespin. Squeeze it open hard with a strong finger pinch.
Aim the clothespin and clip it onto the pipe cleaner line that matches its color. Now, clip a pom-pom onto the clothespin for decoration!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small pom-poms and pipe cleaner pieces are choking hazards for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure all materials are collected immediately after play.

Sponge Edge Clip Match

Steps:

Soak the sponge completely in water until it is heavy and dense. Wring it out slightly so it is damp, not dripping.
Place the damp sponge firmly inside the plastic container to keep it stable on the table.
Use markers to color the base of the clothespins with 3 to 4 bright colors (e.g., red, blue, green).
Draw small, matching colored dots around the thick perimeter of the damp sponge, spacing them out evenly.
Ask your child to hold the container steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to stabilize the base.
Pick up a colored clothespin. Encourage them to squeeze it open using a strong finger pinch.
Carefully clip the pin onto the sponge edge, matching the colored pin to the colored dot target. Continue clipping until all the dots are covered.

Safety Tip:
Clothespins are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity. Ensure the child only handles the materials as intended.

Foil Sculpture Clip Art

Steps:

Give your child a large sheet of aluminum foil. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the foil into smaller pieces.
Challenge them to crumple and squeeze the foil pieces tightly. Focus on making dense, rock-hard 3D shapes.
Adults can use scissors to cut small shapes or strips from the construction paper. Glue these shapes onto the ends of the clothespins.
Place the foil sculpture on the table. Hold the foil sculpture steady with your helper hand.
Use your dominant hand to pinch open a clothespin. Clip the decorative paper firmly onto the resistant foil surface.
Continue clipping the clothespins onto the stiff foil until the entire sculpture is covered in color.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure children crumple the foil tightly to avoid sharp edges. Collect all small foil pieces immediately after play.

Weighted Clip Tower Build

Steps:

Press a large lump of playdough firmly into the bottom of the container to create a stable, resistant base.
Ask your child to push 6 to 8 craft sticks vertically into the playdough base. Ensure they stand up straight like towers.
Take one clothespin. Use a strong squeeze to clip one bead securely onto the end of the clothespin. This is your weighted clip!
Challenge your child to hold the container steady with their helper hand to keep the towers from moving.
Using their dominant hand, squeeze the weighted clothespin open. Carefully clip the entire unit firmly onto one of the standing craft sticks.
Repeat the squeezing and clipping action until all the sticks are covered in colorful, weighted clips. Try removing them and repeating the process!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beads and playdough are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are kept away from the mouth, nose, and ears.

Water Pocket Clip Boats

Steps:

Fill a Ziplock Bag halfway with corn kernels.
Add a small amount of water to make the mixture thick and resistant.
Seal the bag tightly, ensuring all excess air is completely removed.
Use markers to draw small boat shapes onto construction paper.
Use scissors to cut the boat shapes out.
Lay the sealed bag flat inside a shallow container to keep it stable.
Pick up a clothespin. Squeeze it open using a strong finger pinch.
Clip one paper boat securely onto the clothespin.
Hold the resistant corn bag steady with your helper hand.
Clip the boat and clothespin firmly onto the dense bag surface. Push hard until it feels securely anchored!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Corn kernels are a choking hazard if ingested. Ensure the Ziplock Bag is sealed completely and the child remains seated while working.