Construction Paper - Page 9 of 24

Sticky Shape Press

Steps:

Use a marker to draw a large, simple shape (like a heart or square) onto the construction paper.
Tear a long strip of masking tape. Encourage your child to tear the tape into many small, postage stamp-sized pieces.
Challenge the child to use a precise pincer grasp to fill the drawn shape completely with the small tape pieces.
Pick up the craft stick. Show the child how to hold it like a pencil, keeping the wrist slightly bent backward (extended).
Use the craft stick to rub and press down firmly over every piece of tape. Applying strong pressure provides excellent heavy work for their hands.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Ensure the child understands the materials are only for crafting and not for placing in the mouth.

Stick Target Launch

Steps:

Set up the launcher: Use masking tape to secure one end of a craft stick firmly onto the top edge of a small box. Leave the majority of the stick sticking out like a lever.
Create the target zone by using masking tape to mark a square or circle on the construction paper. Place the paper a short distance from the launch box.
Load the launcher by placing a pom-pom near the free end of the craft stick. Use a precise pincer grasp to place it gently.
Ask your child to hold the box steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to provide stability for the launch.
Challenge them to use their dominant hand’s index finger to flick the end of the craft stick, aiming to launch the pom-pom onto the target.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise this activity closely. Pom-poms are small and pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure all small pieces are collected after play.

Stick Flag Thread

Steps:

Use markers to color the craft sticks in three different colors (e.g., red, blue, green).
An adult should cut the paper roll into 3-inch sections. Use a hole puncher to create 6 to 8 holes randomly around each section.
Help your child take index cards and draw a matching colored dot on each one. Cut a small slit into the center of each card (these are your flags).
Challenge your child to hold the paper roll steady with their helper hand. They use their other hand to thread a colored stick straight through one of the holes.
Once the stick is threaded, they must find the matching colored index card flag. Ask them to slide the flag onto the exposed end of the stick.
Continue threading sticks and matching flags until the entire paper roll is covered in colorful flags!

Safety Tip:
Adults must handle the scissors and hole puncher during preparation. Supervise the activity to ensure the child does not put the craft sticks near their eyes or mouth.

Tear Tape Art

Steps:

Use markers to draw a simple picture or shape on the construction paper. Keep the lines wide and easy to fill.
Give the child long strips of masking tape. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the tape into tiny, postage stamp-sized pieces. Drop the torn pieces into the plastic container.
Challenge the child to use a precise pincer grasp to pick up the small tape pieces. Press them firmly onto the marker lines, filling in the design like a mosaic.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children closely during this activity. Ensure that torn pieces of masking tape are not placed in the mouth or near the face.

Squeeze Slot Mail Drop

Steps:

Use markers to color several index cards brightly. You can also cut simple shapes from construction paper and tape them onto the cards.
Place long strips of masking tape across the top opening of the container. Crisscross the tape strips to create a very tight, narrow slot in the center.
Ask your child to hold the container firmly with their non-dominant hand. This stabilizes the toy for the working hand.
Pick up one index card. Encourage your child to squeeze the card flat lengthwise using their fingertips.
Challenge them to push the squeezed, flat card straight through the narrow, resistant tape slot. Repeat this until all the mail is successfully delivered.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required during this activity. Ensure the child remains focused on the task and does not attempt to ingest any pieces of masking tape or paper.