The Foil Pan Rice Sort

The Foil Pan Rice Sort

Steps:

  • Pour a large bag of dry rice into the mixing bowl.
  • Drop ten colorful buttons into the rice and mix them in with your hands.
  • Pour the mixture into the shallow aluminium foil pan so the rice is spread out.
  • Place a paper cup at the corner of the pan to act as the treasure chest.
  • Ask your child to hold the pan steady with their helper hand.
  • Have them use a spoon to scoop through the rice and find the hidden buttons.
  • Once a button is found, use a pincer grasp to pick it up and drop it into the cup!
  • Repeat until all the treasures have been safely moved into the cup.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small buttons and rice grains are choking hazards and should never be put in the mouth.

The Index Card Tweezer Tunnel

The Index Card Tweezer Tunnel

Steps:

  • Fold three index cards into arches to make small tunnels.
  • Tape the arches in a straight line onto a flat table.
  • Place a colorful bead at the start of the tunnel row.
  • Ask your child to hold the table surface with their helper hand.
  • Use the tweezers to push the bead all the way through the line.
  • Finally, use the tweezers to pick up the bead and drop it into a cup.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small beads are a choking hazard. Keep all materials away from the mouth.

The Paper Cup Catch-It

The Paper Cup Catch-It

Steps:

  • Use the scissors to cut a piece of string about two feet long.
  • Tape one end of the string to the side of the ping pong ball.
  • Tape the other end of the string inside the bottom of the paper cup.
  • Ask your child to hold the cup by the handle or the rim.
  • Swing the ball into the air and try to catch it inside the cup!
  • Challenge them to see how many times they can catch it in a row.
  • Try using the non-dominant hand for an extra challenge!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. The string should be kept away from the neck at all times. Ensure the ball is not aimed at others.

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.

The Taped Yarn Bridge Pull

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.