Paper Cup - OTPlan

The Taped Yarn Bridge Pull

Steps:

Cut a large rectangle of cardboard to use as your steady work base.
Tape two long, parallel pieces of yarn across the cardboard about three inches apart.
Make sure the yarn is very tight so it forms two raised ‘rails’.
Use your markers to draw a bright finish line at one end of the board.
Take an empty paper cup and place it upside down on top of the two yarn rails.
Carefully set a ping pong ball on the bottom of the upside-down cup.
Tie a separate piece of yarn to a paper clip and slide the clip onto the cup’s rim.
Hold the cardboard base firmly with your helper hand to keep it still.
Slowly pull the yarn string to glide the cup along the rails toward the finish line!
If the ball falls off, return to the start and try pulling with a smoother motion.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using long pieces of yarn. Store the yarn safely away after play to prevent any risk of entanglement.

Zigzag Beam Clip Challenge

Steps:

Lay out three long strips of cardboard in a zigzag line on the floor.
Use masking tape to stick the cardboard firmly to the ground.
Use markers to draw five small circles along the cardboard path.
Place a paper cup at the very end of the line.
Fill a plastic container with colorful pom-poms and place it at the start.
Give your child a handful of paper clips to hold in one hand.
Ask your child to walk slowly along the cardboard beam.
As they walk, they must place one pom-pom inside each drawn circle.
While standing on the beam, they must use pincer fingers to slide a paper clip onto the paper cup.
If they step off the cardboard, they have to go back to the start!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the floor area is clear of other toys to prevent tripping. Make sure the cardboard is taped flat so it is not slippery.

The Pencil Power Reel

Steps:

Cut a piece of string about three feet long.
Tape one end of the string to the pencil.
Tape the other end inside a paper cup.
Fill the cup with beans for weight.
Hold the pencil with both hands.
Extend arms straight out in front.
Twist the pencil to wind the string.
Watch the cup lift toward the pencil.
Twist backward to lower the cup safely.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the cup is not too heavy to prevent wrist strain.

Paper Cup Balance Track

Steps:

Line up six paper cups upside down in a row on a flat table.
Use masking tape to secure each cup base to the table so they do not move.
Use a bright marker to draw a simple line across the top of all the cups to create a path.
Place a ping pong ball on the first cup in the line.
Hand your child a spoon and ask them to hold it with their dominant hand.
Challenge them to use the spoon to gently push the ball along the marker path from one cup to the next.
See if they can reach the final cup without the ball falling off the track!
If the ball falls, have them pick it up using their pincer fingers and start again.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they use the spoon and ball safely.

Double Cup Balloon Bop

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie it securely to get things started.
Give your child two sturdy paper cups to use as paddles.
Have them hold one cup in each hand while standing in an open space.
Toss the balloon gently into the air to begin the game.
Ask your child to tap the balloon up using the bottom of either cup.
Challenge them to alternate hands by hitting it with the left cup and then the right.
See how many times they can keep the balloon in the air before it hits the ground!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children during balloon play. Broken balloon pieces are a choking hazard and should be picked up and discarded immediately.