Material: Craft Sticks

Marshland Cotton Ball Tug

Marshland Cotton Ball Tug

Steps:

  • In the container, mix liquid glue and sand thoroughly to create a thick, resistant ‘marsh mud’.
  • Spread the marsh mud mixture thickly onto the cardboard base to create a dense layer.
  • Press 10 to 12 cotton balls halfway into the wet mixture, ensuring they are stuck firmly. Allow the cardboard to dry completely (12 to 24 hours) until the surface is very hard.
  • Place the dried ‘marshland’ board on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the cardboard firmly steady with their helper hand.
  • Pick up one craft stick using a firm pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Aim the stick and wedge the tip underneath a stuck cotton ball.
  • Use a strong, controlled tug to pull the cotton ball free from the resistant marsh mud. Repeat this forceful pulling action until all the cotton balls are rescued.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Cotton balls and craft sticks are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Putty Spool Force Push

Putty Spool Force Push

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Press a large lump of stiff playdough firmly into the bottom of the container to create a stable base.
  • Adult Prep: Twist 5 to 6 short pieces of yarn tightly into small loops. Embed these yarn loops halfway into the surface of the playdough, ensuring they are resistant.
  • Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base on the table.
  • Pick up one craft stick. Encourage a firm, three-finger or pincer grip on the stick.
  • Aim the stick at a resistant yarn loop embedded in the playdough base.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick straight through the yarn and deep into the resistant playdough. Feel the effort!
  • Repeat this action until all the yarn loops have a stick pushed through them. Pull them out quickly for extra heavy work!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough, yarn, and craft sticks are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Tension Track Push

Tension Track Push

Steps:

  • Twist three pipe cleaners together tightly to create 4-5 thick, stiff ‘resistance bands.’
  • Stretch and secure these bands tightly across the sturdy cardboard base using masking tape underneath.
  • The bands should be spaced out to create narrow tracks for the beans.
  • Place the beans and craft sticks in the container. Ask the child to hold the cardboard steady with their helper hand.
  • Pick up one bean using a neat pincer grasp. Load it onto the tip of the craft stick.
  • Aim the loaded stick at the cardboard track between two tight bands.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to slide the bean under the taut pipe cleaner band.
  • Continue pushing the bean along the track until it reaches the end. Repeat until all tracks are filled with beans.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beans, pipe cleaners, and small cardboard pieces are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Tension Net Drop

Tension Net Drop

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Twist two pipe cleaners tightly together to make 3 to 4 thick, sturdy “bands.”
  • Stretch the pipe cleaner bands across the container opening. Crisscross them to create a tight, resistant net.
  • Use masking tape to anchor the ends firmly to the container sides.
  • Place the buttons and craft sticks nearby. Ask your child to pick up a button using their pincer grasp.
  • Hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand. This provides proximal stability.
  • Use the craft stick to aim the button at the resistant pipe cleaner net.
  • Encourage a strong, controlled push to send the button popping through the network.
  • Repeat until all buttons are successfully dropped inside.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Buttons, pipe cleaners, and craft sticks are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Sticky Rice Push-Through

Sticky Rice Push-Through

Steps:

  • Prep the Pucks: Squeeze a small circle of glue onto an Index Card. Sprinkle a thick layer of dry Rice onto the glue and press it down firmly. Let the glue set for 15 minutes until tacky.
  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the Container lid. Secure the lid tightly onto the container with Masking Tape.
  • Tear the Index Card into small squares, making sure each rice/glue spot stays centered on its own small piece.
  • Stabilize: Ask the child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand on the table.
  • Load and Deliver: Pick up one Craft Stick. Use the stick to push the resistant, sticky rice puck straight through the narrow slot. Repeat this until all pucks are delivered!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry rice is a small material and poses a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.