The Pipe Cleaner Mirror Match

The Pipe Cleaner Mirror Match

Steps:

  • Tape a large sheet of butcher paper to the table.
  • Use a marker to draw a straight line down the middle of the paper.
  • Take one pipe cleaner and bend it into a simple shape like a zigzag.
  • Tape your shape onto the left side of the center line.
  • Give your child a second pipe cleaner of the same length.
  • Ask them to bend their pipe cleaner to match your shape exactly.
  • Have them tape their finished shape on the right side of the line.

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child to ensure the metal ends of the pipe cleaners are handled carefully to avoid pokes.

Paper Plate Axle Twist

Paper Plate Axle Twist

Steps:

  • Use your markers to divide the paper plate into four colorful wedges like a pizza.
  • Ask an adult to help you use scissors to cut a small X in the center of the plate.
  • Tape one end of your paper roll horizontally to a wall at your child’s eye level.
  • Slide the paper plate onto the paper roll using the hole you made.
  • It should be able to spin freely like a wheel!
  • Use a marker to draw a small arrow on the wall right next to the plate.
  • Challenge your child to twist the plate to match a specific color to the arrow.
  • Ask them to use one hand, then try with the other hand to get both arms working!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the paper roll is taped securely to the wall to avoid it falling.

Styrofoam Bolt Builder

Styrofoam Bolt Builder

Steps:

  • Lay a flat Styrofoam block on your table.
  • Use markers to draw a simple robot or house shape on the top.
  • Poke several small holes along the lines of your drawing using a pencil.
  • Pick up a long bolt and push it through one of the holes.
  • Reach under the foam with your other hand.
  • Use your fingertips to find the end of the bolt without looking.
  • Twist a nut onto the bolt until it is tight against the foam.
  • Repeat this for every hole until your structure is full of metal parts!
  • Stack a few wooden blocks on the bolts to see what you can build.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small nuts and bolts are a choking hazard. Ensure the pencil used for poking holes is handled safely.

The Foil Pond Tongs Task

The Foil Pond Tongs Task

Steps:

  • Lay a sheet of cardboard on a flat table.
  • Draw four large blue circles on the cardboard with your markers.
  • Tear off four squares of aluminium foil using both hands together.
  • Crumple each foil square into a small, shallow bowl shape.
  • Place one foil bowl inside each blue circle on the cardboard.
  • Give your child a pair of tongs and a container of pom-poms.
  • Ask them to squeeze the tongs to pick up one pom-pom.
  • Carefully drop the pom-pom into a foil pond.
  • Challenge them to fill every pond without tipping the foil bowls over!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small beads and pom-poms can be a choking hazard.

The Cardboard Ring Finger Hop

The Cardboard Ring Finger Hop

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut an empty paper roll into five thin rings.
  • Let your child decorate each ring with a different color using the markers.
  • Tape the bottom of each ring in a straight line onto a flat cardboard sheet.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard steady with their non-dominant helper hand.
  • Have them walk their index and middle fingers through the rings like a tiny person.
  • Challenge them to hop through the rings as fast as they can without touching the sides!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent any small scrapes during play.