The Galaxy Bead Spinner

The Galaxy Bead Spinner

Steps:

  • Fill a plastic bottle halfway with water.
  • Drop ten colorful beads into the water.
  • Use a marker to draw a target circle on the outside of the bottle.
  • Wrap masking tape around the cap and the neck to seal it shut.
  • Ask your child to hold the bottle in the middle with a firm grasp.
  • Challenge them to twist their wrist back and forth quickly.
  • The goal is to make the beads spin and touch the target circle.
  • Repeat until they are an expert at making tornadoes!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during water play. Ensure the bottle cap is sealed tightly to keep the beads safe.

The Sticky Tab Treasure Hunt

The Sticky Tab Treasure Hunt

Steps:

  • Tape the sturdy cardboard piece flat onto the table.
  • Use the markers to draw fun circles on the cardboard.
  • Place one colorful sticker inside each of the drawn circles.
  • Cut your index cards into smaller squares to cover the stickers.
  • Tape the top edge of each square to the board to make a door.
  • Fold a small piece of tape over the bottom edge of the card.
  • Make sure a little bit of the tape sticks out like a handle.
  • Ask your child to use their pinching fingers to pull the tab.
  • They will find a hidden sticker surprise under each door!
  • Encourage your child to use their other hand to hold the board.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small stickers and tape pieces can be a choking hazard. Keep all materials away from the mouth.

The Paper Plate Time Teller

The Paper Plate Time Teller

Steps:

  • Write the numbers 1 to 12 around the edge of the plate.
  • Cut two long, narrow arrows from your cardboard piece.
  • Make one arrow shorter than the other.
  • Use your scissors to poke a tiny hole in the center of the plate.
  • Poke a hole in the bottom of both cardboard arrows.
  • Slide a paper clip through the arrows and the plate hole.
  • Bend the paper clip ends to hold everything together.
  • Challenge your child to spin the hands to show a specific time!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they use scissors. Ensure the paper clip is handled carefully. Keep all small parts away from the mouth.

The Paper Roll Pincer Squeezer

The Paper Roll Pincer Squeezer

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut several empty paper rolls into small rings about one inch thick.
  • Let your child decorate each ring with colorful patterns using the markers.
  • Adult Step: Cut four narrow vertical slots into a flat piece of sturdy cardboard base.
  • Ask your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to squeeze one paper roll ring until it is flat.
  • Challenge them to slide the flattened ring into a slot on the cardboard base to make it stand up.
  • Continue squeezing and sliding more rings into each other to build a tall and wobbly sculpture!
  • Encourage your child to use their helper hand to hold the base steady while the other hand adds new pieces.

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

The Cardboard Shutter-Bug Camera

The Cardboard Shutter-Bug Camera

Steps:

  • Help your child cut a square hole in the middle of a sturdy cardboard piece.
  • Decorate the front of the camera with colorful markers and fun lens designs.
  • Tape a drawing of a funny face or animal behind the hole on the back.
  • Take two index cards and place them over the hole on the front side.
  • Tape only the far left and far right edges of the cards to the cardboard.
  • Ask your child to use their index fingers to pull the doors open from the center.
  • They can see the hidden photo and then push the doors shut again!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they use scissors. Make sure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent any small scratches.