Pom-Pom Pin Bouquet

Pom-Pom Pin Bouquet

Steps:

  • Secure the sponge firmly onto the piece of cardboard using masking tape underneath. This creates a stable and resistant base.
  • Place 2 or 3 pom-poms into the container. Challenge your child to thread these pom-poms onto one pipe cleaner, pushing them toward the center.
  • Hold the cardboard base firmly steady with your non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
  • Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to grip the exposed end of the pipe cleaner pin.
  • Aim the pin at the sponge. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the pipe cleaner straight down into the resistant sponge base.
  • Repeat this threading and pushing process until your colorful pom-pom bouquet fills the entire sponge garden.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pom-poms and cut pipe cleaners are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Resistant Cardboard Push Pucks

Resistant Cardboard Push Pucks

Steps:

  • Tear the cardboard into several small, jagged strips.
  • Fill the container halfway with water.
  • Soak the cardboard strips in the water completely until they are soft.
  • Squeeze and wring the wet strips hard to remove excess water. This is heavy work!
  • Squish the damp cardboard strips together into a firm, flat ‘puck.’ Press it onto the table.
  • Hold the cardboard puck steady with your helper hand.
  • Use a Q-Tip to aim and push a hole straight through the soft, resistant puck.
  • Repeat the pushing action until the entire cardboard puck is full of holes.

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

Weighted Clip Tower Build

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.

Wet Sponge Target Post

Wet Sponge Target Post

Steps:

  • Soak the sponge fully in water. Wring it out hard until it is only damp. Press the dense sponge firmly into the container base.
  • Use a craft stick to poke five starter holes straight through the resistant sponge. This creates the narrow targets.
  • Place the container on a stable table. Hold the container steady with your helper hand.
  • Pick up one pom-pom using a neat pincer grasp. Place it directly over a target hole.
  • Use the craft stick as a piston. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the pom-pom through the resistant sponge.
  • Repeat this powerful pushing action until all the pom-poms are posted inside the container.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pom-poms are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and kept away from the mouth, nose, and ears.

Resistant Yarn Unwind Challenge

Resistant Yarn Unwind Challenge

Steps:

  • Press a large lump of playdough firmly into the bottom of the container to create a heavy anchor base.
  • Decorate a long piece of yarn by pressing sequins or stickers onto it. Use a dot of glue to secure one end of the yarn tightly onto a craft stick.
  • Firmly push the non-glued end of the craft stick deep into the playdough base until it stands upright and feels stable.
  • Help your child tightly wrap the decorated yarn around the standing craft stick until only a small tail hangs free.
  • Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand.
  • Using their dominant hand, they must pull the yarn tail steadily and forcefully to unwind the yarn from the stick and the resistant playdough anchor.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Yarn, sequins, and playdough are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are not ingested.