Sticky Rice Push-Through

Sticky Rice Push-Through

Steps:

  • Prep the Pucks: Squeeze a small circle of glue onto an Index Card. Sprinkle a thick layer of dry Rice onto the glue and press it down firmly. Let the glue set for 15 minutes until tacky.
  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the Container lid. Secure the lid tightly onto the container with Masking Tape.
  • Tear the Index Card into small squares, making sure each rice/glue spot stays centered on its own small piece.
  • Stabilize: Ask the child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand on the table.
  • Load and Deliver: Pick up one Craft Stick. Use the stick to push the resistant, sticky rice puck straight through the narrow slot. Repeat this until all pucks are delivered!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry rice is a small material and poses a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Kernel Cannon Wall

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.

Vertical Tear & Crumple Press

Vertical Tear & Crumple Press

Steps:

  • Secure the cardboard piece vertically onto a stable wall or door using masking tape.
  • Use long strips of masking tape, sticky side OUT, to create a large shape (like a circle or square) onto the cardboard surface.
  • Give your toddler strips of construction paper. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the paper into small, rough pieces.
  • Challenge your child to crumple each torn piece tightly into a small, dense ball using only their fingertips.
  • Hold the cardboard steady with the helper hand. Pick up one dense paper ball using a pincer grasp.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to firmly press the paper ball onto the vertical sticky tape shape. Repeat until the shape is covered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Torn paper pieces are a choking hazard for children under three. Ensure your child remains standing or sitting stably and does not attempt to put materials in their mouth.

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the cardboard firmly onto a stable table. Cut pipe cleaners into 4-inch sections if needed.
  • Encourage your child to wrap one pipe cleaner tightly around a pencil. Slide the pencil out to create a small, dense coil. Repeat this action to create six colorful coils.
  • Use small pieces of masking tape to secure one end of each finished coil firmly onto the cardboard base. Space the coils out slightly in a winding path.
  • Cut a long piece of ribbon (about 18 inches). Tie one end of the ribbon securely onto the first coil target.
  • Challenge your child to use their fingertips to carefully push the loose end of the ribbon straight through the center of the next tight coil.
  • Continue this weaving action. The child should push the ribbon through each coil one by one until they reach the end of the coiled line.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required, as sharp scissors are used for preparation. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are curled or tucked safely. Collect all small materials immediately after play.

Cardboard Coin Mail

Cardboard Coin Mail

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a narrow, horizontal slot (about 1 inch long) into the container lid. Secure the lid tightly onto the container with masking tape.
  • Give your child the cardboard. Encourage them to hold the cardboard steady with their helper hand.
  • Challenge them to squeeze the hole puncher forcefully onto the cardboard to create a big pile of small cardboard ‘coins.’ Squeezing hard provides deep muscle input!
  • Ask your child to pick up one stiff cardboard coin using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Aim the cardboard coin at the narrow slot.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to mail the coin completely through the resistant slot. Repeat until all the coins are successfully delivered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Hole punchers can pinch fingers if hands are misplaced. Ensure all small cardboard pieces are collected immediately after play, as they pose a choking hazard.