Material: Construction Paper

Foil Shape Sticker Sculptures

Foil Shape Sticker Sculptures

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to secure the construction paper vertically onto a wall or sturdy door at your child’s eye level.
  • Tear off small squares of aluminum foil. Encourage your child to use both hands to squeeze and crumple the foil intensely into dense, stiff, 3D shapes.
  • Use masking tape to anchor the stiff foil shapes firmly onto the vertical construction paper, creating a textured sculpture.
  • Peel the stickers or sequins using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Aim the sticky item at the foil surface. Use a firm, controlled press to secure the sticker onto the stiff foil shape, feeling the heavy work input.
  • Continue peeling and pressing items until the foil sculpture is completely covered in colorful texture.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Sequins and small stickers are very small materials and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Spiral Stick Rotator

Spiral Stick Rotator

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a piece of construction paper to fit the container lid. Secure this paper tightly onto the lid with masking tape.
  • Cut one tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the center of the taped paper lid. This is your resistant slot.
  • Use markers to draw tight, colorful stripes or a spiral design around several craft sticks. Make sure the designs are dense.
  • Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
  • Pick up a striped stick. Challenge them to gently push the end of the stick into the narrow slot.
  • They must twist the stick repeatedly (rotating their forearm) to guide the colored pattern through the resistant slot.
  • Continue twisting and pushing until the entire stick is posted inside. Repeat this with all the prepared sticks!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the narrow slot is only used for the craft sticks. Collect any small pieces of torn paper or tape immediately.

Water Pocket Clip Boats

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.

Sticky Sludge Squeeze

Sticky Sludge Squeeze

Steps:

  • Mix about half a cup of oats with a small amount of water in the plastic container. Stir until you have a thick, resistant, soupy mixture (the ‘sludge’).
  • Secure the construction paper vertically onto a wall or door using masking tape. This is your target canvas.
  • Tear off several small pieces of masking tape. Place them on the paper, sticky side facing OUT, to create a simple shape or path.
  • Hold the eyedropper using your thumb and pointer finger. Squeeze the bulb hard to draw up the resistant oat sludge.
  • Stabilize the paper with your helper hand. Aim the dropper at the sticky tape targets.
  • Squeeze the dropper forcefully to release the thick sludge onto the sticky tape. Continue this until all the sticky spots are covered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the child only uses the mixture and eyedropper as intended. Oats pose a potential choking hazard if ingested.

Sticky Stick Pull

Sticky Stick Pull

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Secure a piece of construction paper onto a stable piece of cardboard using masking tape. This is your sticky work surface.
  • Place 6 to 8 craft sticks flat across the paper. Secure both ends of each stick firmly with a small, tight strip of masking tape. Press the tape down hard to increase resistance.
  • Encourage your toddler to use their helper hand to hold the cardboard steady on the table, preventing it from slipping while they work.
  • Challenge them to use their dominant hand to find the edge of the tape strip. Use their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to pinch and pull the tape and the stick off the board in one strong, controlled motion.
  • Gather all the freed sticks and repeat the entire process! Try using strips of tape that are longer or shorter to change the difficulty.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of torn tape and the craft sticks pose a potential choking hazard for toddlers who still place objects in their mouths. Discard all materials immediately after use.