Container - Page 11 of 20

Treasure Transfer Challenge

Set the stage: Place two containers (like a bowl, cup, or bucket) on a table or the floor. Set them a short distance apart.

Prepare the “treasure”: Fill one of the containers with small items. You can use pom poms, small toys, or cotton balls.

Choose a tool: Give your child a pair of tongs/tweezers. If that’s too challenging, they can start with a large spoon.

Start the transfer: Ask your child to move the “treasure” pieces one by one from the full container to the empty one using only their tool.

Level up: To make it more challenging, move the containers further apart or encourage your child to use their non-dominant hand for a few turns!

Card Scroll Builders

Steps:

Place an Index Card flat on the table. Use your helper hand to stabilize the card firmly against the surface.
Use your working hand to place a pencil on the short edge of the card. Roll the card tightly around the pencil to create a firm scroll.
Once the card is fully rolled, carefully slide the pencil out while keeping the scroll tight. Place the finished scroll into the container.
Choose a small sticker. Use your precise pincer grasp (pinching fingers) to peel it off the backing.
Quickly wrap the sticker around the center of the scroll to keep it from unraveling. Challenge yourself to fill the container with colorful, tightly rolled scrolls!

Safety Tip:
Use large, age-appropriate stickers during this activity. Ensure close adult supervision to prevent the child from placing small stickers or paper pieces in the mouth.

Band Launcher Target

Steps:

Prep the launcher by taping one end of a craft stick firmly to the edge of a flat piece of cardboard. The stick must be able to spring back up.
Place the container (the target) a short distance away from the cardboard launch pad.
Encourage your child to use a precise pincer grasp to place a pom-pom onto the free end of the craft stick.
Use one hand to stabilize the cardboard while the other hand presses down on the craft stick tip using controlled force.
Quickly release the stick to launch the pom-pom toward the target container. Count the successful hits!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise to prevent small pom-poms from being placed in the mouth. Ensure the launch area is clear before shooting to avoid hitting anyone.

Quiet Scoop Game

Steps:

Place the bowl full of dry beans on one side of the table and the empty container on the other side.
Explain the rule: The child uses the spoon to scoop one bean and tries to carry it over to the container.
The child must listen for the ‘Stop Sound’ (the adult rolling the dice nearby). If they hear the dice clatter while moving, they must immediately freeze the spoon in the air.
The child must hold the spoon perfectly still until the adult says ‘Go.’ This teaches impulse control and sustained focus.
If they spill the bean during the freeze, they must return the bean to the starting bowl and begin the scoop again.
Once the container is full, count how many trips were successfully completed before the next round.

Safety Tip:
Due to the use of small beans, constant adult supervision is required throughout the activity. Ensure all beans are collected and stored safely after play to prevent choking hazards.

Sticky Straw Scoop

Steps:

Prepare the ‘scoop’ by taking a straw and securing a small loop of masking tape (sticky side facing out) onto one end.
Place a pile of pom-poms on the table and the empty Container next to the Construction Paper target.
Show the child how to hold the straw using their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp), just like holding a miniature pencil.
Challenge the child to carefully touch the sticky straw tip to a pom-pom, lifting it when it sticks firmly.
The child then transfers the sticky pom-pom over the container and uses their non-dominant hand or fingertips to peel it off the straw and drop it in.
Continue this process until all the pom-poms are successfully moved from the starting pile into the container.

Safety Tip:
Always provide close adult supervision during this activity. Ensure the child understands that the small pom-poms and tape are not to be put in the mouth.