Felt - OTPlan

The Fuzzy Felt Sorting Nest

Steps:

Use scissors to cut your colorful felt sheets into small, one-inch squares.
Use your markers to color the bottom of each cup in the egg carton a different color.
Place all the colorful felt squares into a pile on the table next to the egg carton.
Hand your child the tweezers and show them how to squeeze them with their thumb and pointer finger.
Challenge your child to pick up one felt square at a time using the tweezers.
Ask them to place the felt square into the egg carton cup that matches its color!
Repeat this playful process until all the felt pieces are sorted into their matching nests.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors or handling small tweezers.

The Felt Fish Hook Rescue

Steps:

Use your markers to draw 5 small fish shapes on your felt.
Carefully cut out the felt fish using your scissors.
Cut 5 tiny strips of cardboard, about 1 inch long each.
Glue the ends of a cardboard strip to a fish to make a small loop.
Repeat this for all 5 fish and place them inside your basket.
Take a pipe cleaner and twist one end into a small, sturdy hook.
Wrap the other end of the pipe cleaner around your child’s index finger.
Challenge your child to hold the basket steady with one hand.
Use the finger hook to snag a fish loop and lift it out!

Safety Tip:
Pipe cleaners have wire ends. Ensure the ends are curled inward or covered with tape to prevent scratches.

Felt Piercing Garden Push

Steps:

Use markers to draw 5 to 7 small target dots randomly across the center of the felt piece.
Cut the felt into a square shape. Use masking tape to secure the felt tightly over the container opening, making sure the fabric is taut and resistant.
Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand on the table to prevent tipping.
Pick up one craft stick. Grip it with a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Aim the stick at a marked target dot. Use a strong, controlled push to pierce the stick straight through the resistant felt.
Repeat this powerful pushing action until all the marked dots are filled with sticks, completing your ‘felt garden’.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure the child pushes the craft sticks into the container and away from their face and body. The stabilizing hand should always be placed on the container base.

Felt Roll & Clip Match

Steps:

Use markers to draw a simple dot on one felt strip and a matching dot on one index card.
Place the felt strip flat. Roll the felt tightly around the pencil to create a dense, resistant cylinder.
Remove the pencil carefully while holding the felt roll firmly with your helper hand to keep the shape.
Pick up the paper clip using a strong pincer grasp (thumb and index finger).
Slide the paper clip onto the felt cylinder to secure the roll. This requires effort and focus.
Set the finished felt scroll onto the Index Card that has the matching marker dot. Repeat for all felt strips.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small paper clips and felt scraps pose a potential choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure all materials are collected immediately after play.

Felt Punch Mosaic Art

Steps:

Secure the felt sheet firmly onto the cardboard using masking tape on all edges. This creates a stable punching surface.
Show your child how to hold the hole puncher. Challenge them to squeeze the puncher hard to create many small, round felt pieces (confetti).
Transfer the punched felt confetti into a small container.
Use the glue bottle to draw a simple design or shape onto the construction paper.
Use the tweezers to pick up the tiny felt circles. Encourage a strong, controlled pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Carefully transfer and press the felt pieces onto the wet glue design until the shape is completely filled.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small felt pieces and cardboard punch-outs are very small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.