Material: Paper Cup

The Paper Plate Balancing Act

The Paper Plate Balancing Act

Steps:

  • Place a paper plate on top of your child’s head.
  • Encourage them to stand still and find their balance.
  • Carefully set one paper cup on the center of the plate.
  • Ask your child to walk slowly across the room.
  • Challenge them to reach a target like a couch or chair.
  • Once they are steady, add a second cup to the stack!
  • See how many cups they can balance before the stack wobbles off.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the walking path is clear of toys or rugs that could cause a trip.

The Balancing Plate Bead Challenge

The Balancing Plate Bead Challenge

Steps:

  • Place the paper cup upside down on a flat table.
  • Use a small piece of masking tape to secure the cup to the table.
  • Carefully set the paper plate on top of the upside-down cup.
  • Give your child a small bowl of beads and a spoon.
  • Ask them to scoop one bead and place it on the plate.
  • Challenge them to add more beads without the plate falling off the cup!

Safety Tip:
Beads are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child. Keep all small materials away from younger siblings.

The Foil Pan Marble Rink

The Foil Pan Marble Rink

Steps:

  • Place a small paper cup inside the aluminium pan near one edge.
  • Secure the cup to the bottom using a piece of masking tape.
  • Put a single marble into the pan on the opposite side.
  • Ask your child to pick up the pan using both hands.
  • Challenge them to tilt the pan to roll the marble.
  • The goal is to roll the marble directly into the cup!
  • Once it is in, tip it out and try again.

Safety Tip:
Marbles are a significant choking hazard. Always supervise your child. Keep all small materials away from younger siblings.

Balloon Tap and Cup Sort

Balloon Tap and Cup Sort

Steps:

  • Blow up a balloon and tie it tightly.
  • Place a basket on the carpet filled with five paper cups.
  • Set a second empty basket a short distance away.
  • Ask your child to tap the balloon into the air with their right hand.
  • While it is in the air, they must use their left hand to move one cup.
  • See how many cups they can move before the balloon hits the floor!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required because balloons and their broken pieces are a serious choking hazard for young children.

The Palm-Flip Treasure Drop

The Palm-Flip Treasure Drop

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to secure a paper cup to the edge of a sturdy table.
  • Place a small pile of coins on the table next to the cup.
  • Ask your child to rest their forearm on the table with their palm facing down.
  • Place one coin on the back of their hand.
  • Encourage them to rotate their wrist until the palm faces up so the coin sits in their palm.
  • If they feel wobbly, have them use their other hand to help stabilize the arm.
  • Finally, use a pincer grasp to drop the coin into the cup!

Safety Tip:
Coins are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child. Do not let them put coins in their mouth.