Markers - Page 25 of 50

Layered Cardboard Pin Weave

Steps:

Prep the surface by taping two Index Cards tightly together. Secure this layered card firmly onto a piece of Cardboard using Masking Tape.
Use a Marker to draw 8 to 10 small target dots across the layered card. Ensure the targets are spaced out.
Challenge your child to hold the cardboard base steady with their helper hand to stabilize the work area.
Pick up one Q-Tip using a strong pincer grasp. Aim the Q-Tip at a target dot.
Use a strong, controlled push to pierce the Q-Tip completely through the resistant layered cards and into the cardboard base. This takes effort!
Once all dots are pierced, gently remove the Q-Tips. Pick up a stiff Pipe Cleaner and thread it through the newly created holes to weave a colorful pattern.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips and cut pipe cleaner pieces are small materials and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Adults should manage the scissors for preparation.

Vertical Target Poke

Steps:

Secure a sturdy piece of Cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door using Masking Tape. This sets up your vertical work surface.
Use a Marker to draw 10 small target dots randomly across the Cardboard surface where your child should aim.
Tape a piece of Foam Sheet firmly onto the back of the Cardboard, covering the target dot area. This provides resistance when pushing.
Encourage your child to pick up a Q-Tip using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Ask them to aim the cotton tip of the Q-Tip at a marker dot.
Use a strong, controlled push to pierce the Cardboard and plant the Q-Tip deep into the resistant Foam backing. Feel the effort!
Repeat this heavy work until all target dots are successfully filled with Q-Tips.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips are small materials and pose a potential choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the vertical board is secured firmly before beginning the activity.

Foam Spike Pom-Pom Insert

Steps:

Secure the foam sheet firmly onto a piece of construction paper using masking tape. This stabilizes the work surface.
Use a marker to draw 10 to 15 short, straight lines (these are your ‘spike’ targets) randomly across the foam sheet’s surface.
Challenge your child to hold the foam steady with their helper hand. Use child-safe scissors to snip along each drawn marker line. Squeezing through the resistant foam requires strong effort!
Pick up one pom-pom using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Carefully aim the soft pom-pom at one of the newly snipped slits. Use controlled force to push the pom-pom halfway into the slit, turning the foam into a colorful, spiky cushion.
Repeat this inserting action until the entire foam surface is covered in pom-pom ‘spikes’.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required when using scissors. Ensure that the child uses the scissors only for cutting the foam. Small pom-poms are used in this activity and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Collect all small materials immediately after play.

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.

Shredded Paper Glue Dot

Steps:

Use a marker to draw 8-10 tiny target dots onto the sturdy cardboard base. Keep the dots small for a precision challenge.
Take one index card. Use both hands together to rip the card into tiny, jagged pieces. Encourage strong, controlled pulls for heavy work input. Drop the scraps into the container.
Pick up the glue bottle. Carefully squeeze a small, controlled dot of glue directly onto each marker target dot.
Now, use the tweezers. Pinch one tiny paper scrap using a strong pincer grasp.
Hold the cardboard steady with your helper hand. Aim the scrap at a wet glue dot and carefully press it down to secure it. Repeat until all dots are filled!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small paper scraps and tweezers are used in this activity. These materials pose a choking hazard for young children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.