Lid Lacing Challenge

Lid Lacing Challenge

Steps:

  • Secure a thin piece of foam sheet tightly over the lid of the plastic container using masking tape.
  • Use a marker to draw a pattern of small dots or a zigzag line across the foam sheet. These are your targets.
  • Give the child one golf tee. Challenge them to hold the tee using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Encourage the child to push the tee straight through each marked dot, creating a lacing hole in the foam and the lid. The other hand must stabilize the container.
  • Once all holes are punched, remove the tees. Thread a piece of yarn through the holes, lacing across the foam to complete the pattern.
  • When they finish, gently pull the yarn out. Try drawing a different pattern for the next round.

Safety Tip:
Golf tees have pointed ends. Close adult supervision is required during all steps to ensure the tees and yarn are not placed in the mouth, nose, or ears.

Band Launcher Target

Band Launcher Target

Steps:

  • Prep the launcher by taping one end of a craft stick firmly to the edge of a flat piece of cardboard. The stick must be able to spring back up.
  • Place the container (the target) a short distance away from the cardboard launch pad.
  • Encourage your child to use a precise pincer grasp to place a pom-pom onto the free end of the craft stick.
  • Use one hand to stabilize the cardboard while the other hand presses down on the craft stick tip using controlled force.
  • Quickly release the stick to launch the pom-pom toward the target container. Count the successful hits!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise to prevent small pom-poms from being placed in the mouth. Ensure the launch area is clear before shooting to avoid hitting anyone.

Mummy Hand Wrap

Mummy Hand Wrap

Steps:

  • Prep several sheets of tissue paper and show your child how to tear it into long, ribbon-like strips. Tearing is a great workout for the small hand muscles!
  • Help your child secure the end of one tissue paper strip onto the stuffed animal’s leg or arm using a small piece of masking tape.
  • Challenge them to use two hands to carefully wrap the ‘mummy bandage’ all the way around the stuffed animal until it is fully covered (or mummified!).
  • When the toy is wrapped, secure the final end with another piece of tape, then enjoy the fun process of unwrapping and tearing off the bandages!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children during tearing activities to ensure paper is not put into the mouth. Keep the play area tidy, as tissue paper can become a slipping hazard if left scattered on the floor.

Web Lacing Rescue

Web Lacing Rescue

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Lay strips of masking tape sticky-side up across the cardboard edge, securing the ends underneath to make a sticky “loom.”
  • Leave about one inch of space between each sticky tape strip.
  • Cut a piece of yarn about 18 inches long. Tape one end of the yarn securely to the end of a craft stick to create your ‘needle.’
  • Hold the cardboard loom steady with your helper hand. Use your dominant hand to weave the craft stick and yarn “needle” under the first tape strip.
  • Next, challenge yourself to weave the yarn *over* the second tape strip, then under the third, creating a woven pattern across the sticky web.
  • Continue weaving across the web. When finished, carefully peel the woven yarn and tape off the cardboard to reveal your colorful woven mat!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the craft stick has no sharp edges before taping the yarn on. Closely supervise the child to ensure they do not pull the masking tape off the surface and place it in their mouth.

Sticky Straw Scoop

Sticky Straw Scoop

Steps:

  • Prepare the ‘scoop’ by taking a straw and securing a small loop of masking tape (sticky side facing out) onto one end.
  • Place a pile of pom-poms on the table and the empty Container next to the Construction Paper target.
  • Show the child how to hold the straw using their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp), just like holding a miniature pencil.
  • Challenge the child to carefully touch the sticky straw tip to a pom-pom, lifting it when it sticks firmly.
  • The child then transfers the sticky pom-pom over the container and uses their non-dominant hand or fingertips to peel it off the straw and drop it in.
  • Continue this process until all the pom-poms are successfully moved from the starting pile into the container.

Safety Tip:
Always provide close adult supervision during this activity. Ensure the child understands that the small pom-poms and tape are not to be put in the mouth.