Paper Plate - Page 5 of 10

Floating Balloon Paddle Tap

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie yarn to the end.
Use masking tape to stick the yarn to a door.
Let the balloon hang low enough for your child to reach.
Give them a paper plate to hold like a paddle.
Ask them to tap the balloon with the plate.
See how many times they can hit it in a row.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children with balloons. Broken balloon pieces are a serious choking hazard. Ensure the yarn is not long enough to wrap around the neck.

Putty Pancake Decorators

Steps:

Give your child a large chunk of Theraputty or stiff playdough. Encourage them to use both hands to squeeze, mash, and roll it into a thick ‘pancake’ on the paper plate. Press hard for heavy work!
Ask your child to hold the paper plate firmly steady with their helper hand to keep the ‘pancake’ from sliding.
Pick up the tweezers or tongs. Use a strong pincer grasp to grab one small bead at a time.
Carefully aim the bead. Push it firmly and precisely into the resistant putty surface to create a colorful design or pattern.
Repeat the process until the entire putty pancake is covered in decorative beads. Try using different colors or sizes of beads.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beads and Theraputty/Playdough are small objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.

Playdough Pothole Punch

Steps:

Firmly press a large lump of playdough onto the back of a paper plate.
The plate should be upside down and the playdough acts as a resistant base.
Pick up one golf ball tee using your thumb and pointer finger.
Hold the paper plate steady with your non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
Aim the blunt end of the tee at the playdough.
Use strong, controlled force to press the tee into the playdough, creating a deep ‘pothole.’
Repeat the punching action until the entire playdough surface is filled with holes.
Try gently twisting the tee as you push it in to change the resistance.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough and golf ball tees are small objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.

Plate Rim Precision Tweeze

Steps:

Use a marker to draw several small shapes onto the flat center of the paper plate. This is your stacking zone.
Challenge your child to tear the rim off the paper plate. They should aim to tear the thick rim into small, rough, curved pieces. Tearing this resistant material requires strong effort.
Once the rim is completely torn, place the small curved pieces onto the construction paper beside the plate. This is your supply pile.
Ask your child to hold the paper plate steady with their non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
Use the tweezers to pick up one torn rim piece at a time. The child must grip the piece firmly without squeezing too hard.
Carefully transfer and stack the torn pieces onto the marked area in the center of the plate. Keep the stack balanced and try not to knock it over!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The torn paper pieces are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Ensure the child only uses the tweezers and paper as intended.

Plate Spin Targets

Steps:

Use markers to draw 4-6 small, bright dots (targets) randomly across the surface of the paper plate.
Flip the plate over. Use masking tape to secure a craft stick firmly to the center back as a spin handle.
Have your child place the plate on the table. They use one hand to grasp the craft stick handle.
Challenge your child to spin the plate quickly using their hand (practicing forearm rotation).
While the plate is spinning, they must try to quickly tap the center of a colored dot using the pointer finger of their other hand.
Try switching hands! Use the non-dominant hand to spin and the dominant hand to tap the moving targets.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the plate and handle are securely fastened. Supervise closely to ensure the child keeps their fingers clear of the spinning parts to avoid minor scrapes.