Coins - OTPlan

The Balancing Cardboard Bird

Steps:

Draw a large bird shape on a piece of cardboard with your markers.
Make sure the bird has wide wings that curve forward past the beak.
Use your scissors to carefully cut the bird shape out of the cardboard.
Place one coin on the very front tip of each bird wing.
Use masking tape to secure the coins firmly to the cardboard wings.
Hold the bird by the body and rest the beak on your fingertip.
Watch as the bird balances perfectly in the air without falling!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors. Coins are a choking hazard, so keep them away from younger siblings who might put things in their mouths.

The Cardboard Coin Slide

Steps:

Adult: Cut a long, narrow rectangle from your cardboard to make a ramp.
Use masking tape to attach a paper cup to a table edge as a goal.
Ask your child to hold the top of the ramp with their helper hand.
Encourage them to use their other hand to pinch a coin at the top.
Aim the bottom of the cardboard ramp toward the paper cup target.
Release the coin and watch it slide into the cup!
Move the cup to different spots to change the angle and challenge level.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while playing with coins. Coins are a choking hazard. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent scratches.

The Foil Texture Rubbing

Steps:

Use your glue to stick a few coins, buttons, and dry leaves onto a flat piece of cardboard.
Wait for the glue to dry so the objects are firmly in place.
Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil large enough to cover the cardboard.
Place the foil over the objects and use your ‘helper hand’ to hold the edges down firmly.
Use your dominant hand to gently rub your fingertips over the foil until you feel the shapes beneath.
Pick up a crayon and use the side of the tip to rub across the raised areas of the foil.
Watch as the detailed textures of the coins and leaves magically appear on the shiny surface!
Use your markers to add colorful details around the textured prints you created.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to ensure the edges of the foil are handled gently. Make sure all glue is dry before applying the foil.

The Pool Noodle Penny Bank

Steps:

An adult uses a knife to cut several narrow slits into a pool noodle.
Use your markers to write point values like 5, 10, or 25 next to each slot.
Give your child five coins from a plastic container to hold in their palm at once.
Ask your child to move one coin to their fingertips without using their other hand.
Challenge them to push the coin firmly into a slot on the pool noodle.
Repeat this until all the coins are safely inside the noodle bank!

Safety Tip:
Coins are a choking hazard. Keep them away from younger siblings. Always supervise your child during play.

The Palm-Flip Treasure Drop

Steps:

Use masking tape to secure a paper cup to the edge of a sturdy table.
Place a small pile of coins on the table next to the cup.
Ask your child to rest their forearm on the table with their palm facing down.
Place one coin on the back of their hand.
Encourage them to rotate their wrist until the palm faces up so the coin sits in their palm.
If they feel wobbly, have them use their other hand to help stabilize the arm.
Finally, use a pincer grasp to drop the coin into the cup!

Safety Tip:
Coins are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child. Do not let them put coins in their mouth.