Markers - Page 7 of 45

The Cardboard Castle Squeezer

Steps:

Find a large, flat piece of sturdy cardboard to be your castle base.
Draw four or five narrow rectangles on the cardboard using your markers.
Ask an adult to help you cut out these rectangular slots using scissors.
Ensure each slot is slightly narrower than the width of a paper cup.
Give your child several paper cups and encourage them to decorate the cups.
Show them how to use both hands to squeeze a cup until it is flat.
Challenge your child to push the flattened cup through a narrow slot.
Once through, the cup will pop open slightly to stay inside the castle!
Repeat this until all the castle towers are securely in place.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children when using scissors. Ensure the cardboard has smooth edges to prevent scratches during the pushing movement.

The Foil Texture Rubbing

Steps:

Use your glue to stick a few coins, buttons, and dry leaves onto a flat piece of cardboard.
Wait for the glue to dry so the objects are firmly in place.
Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil large enough to cover the cardboard.
Place the foil over the objects and use your ‘helper hand’ to hold the edges down firmly.
Use your dominant hand to gently rub your fingertips over the foil until you feel the shapes beneath.
Pick up a crayon and use the side of the tip to rub across the raised areas of the foil.
Watch as the detailed textures of the coins and leaves magically appear on the shiny surface!
Use your markers to add colorful details around the textured prints you created.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to ensure the edges of the foil are handled gently. Make sure all glue is dry before applying the foil.

The Cardboard Whiz Spinner

Steps:

Trace a medium circle on a piece of cardboard using a bowl.
Cut the circle out using your scissors.
Use your markers to draw colorful patterns on both sides of the circle.
Use a pencil to poke two small holes near the center of the circle.
Thread a long piece of yarn through both holes and tie the ends.
Center the circle on the yarn and hold a loop in each hand.
Swing the circle in a jump-rope motion to twist the yarn.
Pull your hands apart quickly to make the circle spin and hum!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using a pencil to poke holes.

The Magnetic Paper Clip Fish

Steps:

Draw several fish shapes on a flat piece of cardboard using your bright markers.
Help your child carefully cut out each fish using the safety scissors.
Slide a single paper clip over the nose of every cardboard fish.
Take a long paper roll and tape one end of a piece of string to the top.
Tie a second paper clip to the loose end of the string to act as the hook.
Place the fish on the floor and hold the paper roll with both hands.
Challenge your child to lower the hook and link it onto a fish’s paper clip to rescue it!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small paper clips can be a choking hazard if placed in the mouth. Ensure the string is kept away from the neck area.

The Pool Noodle Penny Bank

Steps:

An adult uses a knife to cut several narrow slits into a pool noodle.
Use your markers to write point values like 5, 10, or 25 next to each slot.
Give your child five coins from a plastic container to hold in their palm at once.
Ask your child to move one coin to their fingertips without using their other hand.
Challenge them to push the coin firmly into a slot on the pool noodle.
Repeat this until all the coins are safely inside the noodle bank!

Safety Tip:
Coins are a choking hazard. Keep them away from younger siblings. Always supervise your child during play.