Paper Roll - Page 2 of 3

Crumple Pin Bowling

Steps:

Build the ‘Crumple Pins’: Give the child 6 to 10 paper rolls (like toilet paper or paper towel rolls). Encourage them to use both hands to crumple each roll tightly into a dense, firm ‘pin’ shape. Secure each crumpled shape firmly with small pieces of masking tape to ensure they hold their structure.
Set up the Lane: Use masking tape to mark a ‘foul line’ on the floor. Arrange the crumpled pins in a triangle formation 5 to 10 feet away from the line (adjust distance based on space and skill level).
Bowl: Challenge the child to stand behind the line and roll the ball toward the pins, focusing on aiming and grading the force of their roll to knock down as many pins as possible.
Score and Reset: Count how many pins were knocked down. Encourage the child to reset the pins (sequencing and motor planning) before taking their next turn.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the bowling area is clear of furniture, toys, and other trip hazards. Encourage children to reset the pins safely without rushing or running.

Stick Flag Thread

Steps:

Use markers to color the craft sticks in three different colors (e.g., red, blue, green).
An adult should cut the paper roll into 3-inch sections. Use a hole puncher to create 6 to 8 holes randomly around each section.
Help your child take index cards and draw a matching colored dot on each one. Cut a small slit into the center of each card (these are your flags).
Challenge your child to hold the paper roll steady with their helper hand. They use their other hand to thread a colored stick straight through one of the holes.
Once the stick is threaded, they must find the matching colored index card flag. Ask them to slide the flag onto the exposed end of the stick.
Continue threading sticks and matching flags until the entire paper roll is covered in colorful flags!

Safety Tip:
Adults must handle the scissors and hole puncher during preparation. Supervise the activity to ensure the child does not put the craft sticks near their eyes or mouth.

Roller Path Painting

Steps:

Use a marker to draw a simple, winding path, large circle, or thick zigzag line onto the surface of the paper plate.
Prepare the paint station: Pour a small amount of tempera paint into a shallow container. Use a paper roll (like a toilet paper roll) as your ‘paint roller.’
Show your child how to hold the paper roll vertically, using their fingertips like a handle. They should aim to keep their wrist slightly bent backward (extended).
Have your child dip just the end of the paper roll into the paint, then transfer it to the paper plate.
Challenge your child to roll the painted end of the tube precisely along the marked path. They must use wrist and forearm movements to steer the roller and stay on the line.
Try rolling back and forth along the same path until the line is completely covered in color.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise young children closely during painting activities. Ensure all paint used is non-toxic and washable. Monitor to ensure the paper roll pieces are not put in the mouth.

Paper Roll Snip Monster

Steps:

Use markers to color the entire outside surface of the paper roll (toilet paper or paper towel size) with bright colors. Encourage using both hands to stabilize the roll while coloring.
An adult should draw several straight lines (about 1 inch long) around the bottom edge of the roll, spaced about a quarter-inch apart. These are the guides for snipping.
Encourage your child to use their non-dominant hand firmly inside the roll to keep it steady (proximal stability) while using the scissors to carefully snip along each marked line.
Once the bottom is fully snipped, gently bend the strips outward to create a fringe (the ‘legs’ or ‘wiggly hair’).
Finish the craft by gluing two wiggle eyes onto the top section of the roll to complete your Paper Roll Snip Monster!

Safety Tip:
Always provide direct adult supervision when using scissors. Ensure that any small pieces, such as wiggle eyes, are properly glued or immediately removed from the workspace to prevent choking in children under 5.

“The Claw”

Preparation:

Take an empty cardboard box (with openings that create handles), and insert a gift wrapping paper tube through the openings.
Tape a long piece of yarn to the gift wrapping paper tube.
Draw a Toy Story Alien & cut it out.
Tape the alien to the other end of the yarn.

Play:

Have the child place both hands toward the ends of gift wrapping paper tube (“The Claw”), to reel in the alien.

Instruct the child to use alternating hands, or both hands at the same time.

To add a challenge, have the child use their non-dominant hand, create a longer line of yarn, or add resistance.

To add resistance, draw and cut out an alien on 2 pieces of paper, place beans on one paper, then staple the other paper on top to seal the beans inside.