Nuts and Bolts

The Pipe Cleaner Deep Sea Divers

Steps:

Fill the plastic container about halfway with cool water.
Take a colorful pipe cleaner and bend it into the shape of a little person.
Ask your child to pick up a nut from the pile using their thumb and pointer finger.
Thread the nut onto the pipe cleaner diver’s legs to act as a heavy weight.
Drop the diver into the water to see if it sinks or floats.
Add more nuts and bolts until the diver reaches the very bottom of the tank!
Use another pipe cleaner as a hook to fish the divers back up to the surface.

Safety Tip:
Ensure your child is seated at a stable table. Metal nuts and bolts are small and should be handled with care.

Tight Weave Screw Frame

Steps:

Use the Markers to draw a sturdy frame or square onto the Cardboard. Use the Scissors to cut this frame out (parent assistance may be needed).
Take the Index Cards and cut them into long, colorful strips for weaving. Draw a simple pattern on them using markers.
Glue the beginning of each strip to the back of the Cardboard frame. Weave the strips tightly across the frame, then secure the ends with Glue on the back.
Using the Hole Puncher, squeeze hard to punch 4 holes straight through the woven layers and the Cardboard frame. This requires strong effort!
Stabilize the frame with your helper hand. Push a Bolt straight through one of the tight, punched holes.
Pick up a Nut with a precise Pincer Grasp. Twist the Nut firmly onto the Bolt until the woven strips are compressed tightly. Repeat until all holes are secured.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required when using scissors. Ensure the child handles the nuts and bolts appropriately, keeping them away from the mouth, nose, and ears.

Card Link Twister

Steps:

Use the marker to number 8 index cards sequentially from 1 through 8. This creates your chain links.
Use the hole puncher to create two holes at the top edge of each numbered card link.
Hold Card #1 steady with your helper hand. Push one bolt through each of the two punched holes.
Use your working hand to twist a nut firmly onto the end of each bolt. Practice using quick finger movements.
Now, take Card #2. Thread the exposed bolts from Card #1 through the holes in Card #2.
Twist two new nuts onto the exposed bolts to link the two cards securely together.
Continue this process, linking the numbered cards in order until you have created a long, flexible, and colorful chain.

Safety Tip:
Nuts and bolts are very small pieces. Ensure all materials are kept away from the mouth and supervised closely during assembly to prevent choking hazards.

Felt Maze Nut Grab

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use markers to draw a simple maze or winding path onto the felt sheet.
Cut one small drop hole (slightly bigger than a nut) at the end of the maze. Secure the felt tightly over the container opening using masking tape.
Place the container on a stable table. Put the nuts next to the maze start point.
Use your non-dominant hand (the helper hand) to hold the container firmly steady.
Pick up the tongs using a strong pincer grasp. Squeeze the tongs open and gently grab one nut.
Carefully follow the path with the tongs. Press down firmly to maneuver the heavy nut through the resistant felt maze.
Once you reach the drop hole, let go of the nut and hear it clink into the box! Repeat until all the treasure is collected.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Nuts and bolts are very small, hard objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Nuts and Bolts Tripod Grasp

Activity Steps

Preparation: Place a variety of nuts and bolts on a table or tray. If your child is new to this skill, start with just 2 or 3 large pairs to keep it successful and frustration-free.
Sort and Match: Ask your child to dig through the pile to find a “match” (one nut and one bolt that fit together). This helps them practice visual discrimination to tell the difference between sizes.
The Assembly: Have your child hold the bolt steady in one hand (their “helper hand”). With their dominant hand, encourage them to pick up the nut using their thumb, index, and middle finger. This is the tripod grasp.
Twist and Turn: Ask them to screw the nut onto the bolt. Watch to see if they can use their fingers to rotate the nut rather than moving their whole arm or shoulder.
Unscrew: Once they are all assembled, taking them apart is just as valuable! It uses different muscle groups and extends the play.