Material: Marker

Tight Coil Tunnel Twist

Tight Coil Tunnel Twist

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Cut an index card in half. Cover one half completely with aluminum foil, crimping the edges tightly underneath. Secure this foiled card flat onto a sturdy piece of cardboard using masking tape.
  • Use a marker tip or pen to poke 5-6 small starter holes into the foil surface. These holes should be slightly smaller than the pipe cleaners.
  • Encourage your child to twist the pipe cleaners tightly around their finger or a pencil to create small, dense, stiff coils. This builds hand strength!
  • Ask your child to hold the stable cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand (proximal stability).
  • Pick up one finished coil with a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Aim the coil at a starter hole.
  • Use a strong, continuous twisting motion (like screwing in a lightbulb) to turn the coil. Screw the stiff coil into and through the resistant foil and cardboard base until it is fully embedded. Repeat until all holes are filled.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small materials and, especially when cut or tightly coiled, pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Collect all pieces immediately after play.

Resistance Band Rescue

Resistance Band Rescue

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Take 2 or 3 pipe cleaners and twist them tightly together to create a thick, stiff band.
  • Tightly wrap 4 to 5 of these thick pipe cleaner bands around the lid or body of the plastic container. Make sure they are secure and difficult to remove.
  • Place the container on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the container firmly with their non-dominant (helper) hand to keep it steady.
  • Ask the child to use their dominant hand to grasp a band using only their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
  • Encourage them to use controlled effort to pull the tight band off the container. Try to keep the container hand perfectly still.
  • Count how many bands are rescued, and then wrap them back on to play again.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure that the pipe cleaners are fully unwrapped and collected immediately after the activity.