Material: Container

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.

Felt Pocket Clip Drop

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a piece of felt that covers the container opening. Cut 6 to 8 very tight, narrow vertical slits into the felt.
  • Secure the felt tightly over the container opening using masking tape around the rim. The felt should be firm.
  • Place the pom-poms in a bowl. Practice squeezing a clothespin open using a strong two-finger pinch.
  • Challenge your child to pick up one pom-pom by securing it gently inside the open clothespin.
  • Hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand. This stabilizes the base.
  • Aim the clothespin and pom-pom at a narrow felt slit. Use a strong, controlled push to insert the pom-pom completely into the pocket.

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.

Foam Fortress Pull-Apart

Foam Fortress Pull-Apart

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw simple shapes onto the foam sheets. Shapes like squares and rectangles work best for building.
  • Ask an adult to use scissors to cut the foam shapes out. Cut the craft sticks in half if needed.
  • Hold two foam pieces together so the edges align. Use a marker to dot the spot where you want to connect them.
  • Take one craft stick. Use strong finger force to push the stick straight through the marked spot, connecting the two foam pieces tightly.
  • Continue connecting pieces until you build a large structure, like a wall or a tower.
  • Now for the heavy work! Challenge your child to grab the structure with both hands. Use a strong, steady pull to separate the connected foam pieces, one stick at a time.
  • Collect all the sticks and foam pieces to build an even bigger structure next time.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Craft sticks are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Adults must handle the scissors during preparation.

Foam Slot Tongs

Foam Slot Tongs

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use markers to draw one narrow, horizontal slit (about 2 inches long) onto the container lid. Carefully cut the slit using scissors. Secure the lid shut with masking tape.
  • Use scissors to cut the foam sheets into many small, 1-inch squares. Drop the cut squares into the small container.
  • Place the target container flat on the table. Encourage your child to hold the container firmly with their helper hand to stabilize it.
  • Pick up the tongs. Use the tongs to grab one foam square using a strong pincer grip.
  • Carefully aim the foam piece toward the narrow slot. Push the foam piece completely through the slot and drop it inside the container.
  • Continue transferring all the foam pieces into the slot until the small container is empty.

Safety Tip:
Since this activity involves small foam pieces and the use of scissors during preparation, constant, direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of foam are a choking hazard for children under five.