Foam Sheets - Page 2 of 5

Resistant Foam Pin Push

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use a marker to draw several guide dots onto the foam sheet. Use masking tape to secure the foam tightly onto the sturdy cardboard base.
Help your child bend or roll several pipe cleaners until they are stiff, short pieces. These are your ‘resistant pins.’
Ask your child to hold the cardboard base firmly steady on the table using their non-dominant (helper) hand.
Pick up a resistant pin using a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Aim the tip of the pin at a marked dot. Use a controlled, strong push to drive the stiff pipe cleaner straight through the dense foam and into the cardboard base.
Repeat this forceful pushing action until all the marked dots have been successfully filled with colorful pins.

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

Foam Slit Curtain Push

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut the foam sheet to fit the cardboard. Use scissors to cut 8 to 10 narrow, horizontal slits across the foam. Secure the foam tightly onto the cardboard using masking tape.
Sit stably at a table. Use your helper hand to hold the cardboard base firmly steady.
Pick up one craft stick using your thumb and pointer finger.
Aim the end of the stick at a narrow foam slit. Use a strong, controlled push to insert the stick all the way through the resistant foam ‘curtain’.
Repeat this action until all the slits are filled with sticks. Try pulling them out quickly for a fun, reverse heavy work challenge.

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

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

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.

Precision Tube Drop

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut a 4-inch wide strip from the foam sheet. Roll the strip tightly to create a narrow, stable tube, securing the seam firmly with masking tape.
Secure the bottom of the foam tube vertically onto the construction paper using plenty of masking tape. The paper acts as a base.
Place the sticks in the container next to the base. Ask your child to sit stably and use their helper hand to hold the base firmly.
Challenge your child to pick up one craft stick using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Encourage them to aim carefully and drop the stick straight down through the narrow opening of the foam tube without touching the sides.
Repeat this precision task until all the craft sticks have been successfully dropped into the tube.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Craft sticks are small items and pose a potential choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths.