Material: Masking Tape

The Ziplock Air Launcher

The Ziplock Air Launcher

Steps:

  • Cut a small rectangle of construction paper and wrap it around a straw.
  • Use a tiny piece of masking tape to secure the paper into a tube.
  • Tape one end of the tube shut to create the rocket nose.
  • Slide the straw into the corner of a Ziplock bag.
  • Seal the bag and use tape to make the opening airtight.
  • Place the paper rocket over the end of the straw.
  • Use both hands to give the bag a fast squeeze to launch the rocket!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the paper rocket is not aimed at faces or people.

The Foil Pan Macaroni Putter

Steps:

  • Place the aluminum foil pan on a stable table.
  • Tape a small U-shape in one corner using masking tape to make a goal.
  • Drop five pieces of dry macaroni into the opposite side of the pan.
  • Give your child a Q-Tip to hold like a tiny putter.
  • Challenge them to push each piece of macaroni into the taped goal!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Dry macaroni is a choking hazard. Keep materials away from the mouth.

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.

Newspaper Log Tongs Balance

Steps:

  • Help your child roll a single sheet of newspaper into a tight, long log.
  • Use masking tape to secure the ends and the middle of the log so it stays firm.
  • Repeat this to make three logs and lay them parallel on a flat table.
  • Hand your child a pair of tongs and a basket of colorful pom-poms.
  • Challenge them to pick up one pom-pom and carefully set it on top of a newspaper log.
  • Continue until each log is covered in a row of fuzzy pom-poms!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Pom-poms are a choking hazard. Keep them away from mouths.

The Vertical Cloud Garden

Steps:

  • Help your child pick four colorful paper cups for their wall garden.
  • Use your masking tape to stick the bottom of each cup to a wall.
  • Make sure the cups are at your child’s shoulder height to work those muscles.
  • Place a basket of soft cotton balls on the floor nearby.
  • Give your child the tongs and show them how to squeeze and pick up one ball.
  • Challenge them to reach up and drop the cotton ball into a cup!
  • Try using only their left hand for two cups and their right hand for the others.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they do not put cotton balls in their mouth.