Markers - Page 29 of 53

Kernel Cannon Wall

Steps:

Mix the playdough with a little water in the container until it forms a thick, sticky sludge. Stir in a handful of corn kernels to make the mixture highly resistant.
Secure the piece of cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door using masking tape. Use markers to draw a large, simple target shape on the board.
Hold the eyedropper (or baster) with a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Squeeze the bulb hard to suck up the resistant kernel sludge mixture.
Hold the cardboard steady with your helper hand to keep the surface stable. Aim the loaded dropper at the marker target.
Squeeze the dropper forcefully to shoot the kernel sludge onto the target. Encourage maximum effort! Repeat this action until the target is completely covered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough and corn kernels are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure the mixture is used only as intended.

Cardboard Connector Links

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut the cardboard into 6 to 8 small, sturdy building shapes, such as squares or strips.
Use the markers to draw small target dots near the edges of each cardboard link.
Encourage your child to twist each pipe cleaner tightly into a small, stiff ring or loop. Place these finished rings in the container.
Challenge your child to hold one cardboard link firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the surface.
Squeeze the hole puncher forcefully onto each marker dot to create connection holes. Squeezing hard provides deep strength input!
Now, hold two punched cardboard links together, lining up the holes perfectly.
Use a pipe cleaner ring to link them by pushing the stiff ring through both holes. Continue linking to build a strong 3D structure.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small pipe cleaner pieces and cardboard punch-outs are choking hazards for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Card Link Twister

Steps:

Use the marker to number 8 index cards sequentially from 1 through 8. This creates your chain links.
Use the hole puncher to create two holes at the top edge of each numbered card link.
Hold Card #1 steady with your helper hand. Push one bolt through each of the two punched holes.
Use your working hand to twist a nut firmly onto the end of each bolt. Practice using quick finger movements.
Now, take Card #2. Thread the exposed bolts from Card #1 through the holes in Card #2.
Twist two new nuts onto the exposed bolts to link the two cards securely together.
Continue this process, linking the numbered cards in order until you have created a long, flexible, and colorful chain.

Safety Tip:
Nuts and bolts are very small pieces. Ensure all materials are kept away from the mouth and supervised closely during assembly to prevent choking hazards.

Sponge Edge Clip Match

Steps:

Soak the sponge completely in water until it is heavy and dense. Wring it out slightly so it is damp, not dripping.
Place the damp sponge firmly inside the plastic container to keep it stable on the table.
Use markers to color the base of the clothespins with 3 to 4 bright colors (e.g., red, blue, green).
Draw small, matching colored dots around the thick perimeter of the damp sponge, spacing them out evenly.
Ask your child to hold the container steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to stabilize the base.
Pick up a colored clothespin. Encourage them to squeeze it open using a strong finger pinch.
Carefully clip the pin onto the sponge edge, matching the colored pin to the colored dot target. Continue clipping until all the dots are covered.

Safety Tip:
Clothespins are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity. Ensure the child only handles the materials as intended.

Tear & Thread Cardboard Chain

Steps:

Adult Prep: Secure a piece of construction paper onto a stable piece of cardboard. Use the hole puncher to create 8 to 10 holes evenly around the edges of the board.
Give your child strips of sturdy cardboard. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the strips and crumple the pieces into tight, dense balls. Drop the finished balls into the container.
Pick up one colorful pipe cleaner. Help your child push the stiff pipe cleaner straight through the center of one dense cardboard ball. This creates a ‘loaded pin’.
Challenge your child to hold the cardboard frame steady with their helper hand. Thread the loaded pin through one punched hole in the frame. Pull the pipe cleaner through.
Weave the pin back through the next open hole, linking the crumpled cardboard ball to the frame. Repeat this process until all the crumpled pieces create a colorful chain around the border.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of torn cardboard and cut pipe cleaners are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.