Paper Roll - Page 2 of 4

Slot Stuff Hedgehog

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut 8 to 10 short, narrow slits across the surface of the paper roll. These are the spine holes.
Decorate the roll using markers to give your hedgehog a cute face and body.
Tear the construction paper into many long, thin strips. Tearing wakes up finger and hand muscles.
Pick up the paper roll with your helper hand to keep it steady on the table.
Stuff one end of a paper strip into a spine hole using your dominant hand fingers.
Use a craft stick to gently push the paper strip completely inside the narrow slot. This requires precise force.
Continue stuffing paper spines into all the slots until your hedgehog is fully covered in soft spikes!

Safety Tip:
Adults must perform the scissor cutting for the narrow slots. Supervise closely to ensure small pieces of torn paper are not put in the mouth.

Vertical Bead Run

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut the paper rolls (toilet paper or paper towel rolls) into short, 1-inch segments.
Glue the paper roll segments onto the large cardboard piece. Arrange them in a zigzag or winding track from top to bottom.
Secure the cardboard track vertically onto a wall or door at your child’s chest height. Place the plastic container directly beneath the exit point of the track.
Encourage your child to stand tall and use their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to pick up a bead.
Challenge them to aim and carefully drop the bead into the top opening of the track.
Visually track the bead as it rolls down the track. Repeat until all beads are successfully collected in the container.

Safety Tip:
Beads are very small and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Maintain constant adult supervision throughout the activity. Ensure the cardboard track is securely fastened to the wall to prevent movement during play.

Weighted Puck Push

Steps:

Prepare the ‘pucks’ by filling several small Ziplock Bags about 1/4 full with dry Beans or Rice. Seal them tightly.
Create a long ‘push stick’ by taping two Paper Rolls together end-to-end with Masking Tape to form a hockey stick.
Use Construction Paper and Masking Tape to create a goal on the floor about six feet away from the starting line.
Start in a half-kneeling position behind the pucks. Use the push stick to tap and guide one weighted puck at a time toward the goal.
Encourage the child to use the stick to sweep the pucks from their left side to their right side to practice Crossing Midline.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the playing area is clear of trip hazards. When using the long stick, remind the child to keep a safe distance from others and always supervise play.

Strong Pull Chain

Steps:

Securely tie one end of a long, thick piece of yarn to the leg of a heavy box. This is your anchor point.
Sit the child on the floor 4 to 6 feet away from the anchored box. Stretch the yarn out straight.
Challenge the child to use both hands together to grasp the yarn and slowly pull the chain back toward their chest. Encourage a steady, controlled pull.
Once the slack is gone, ask the child to use alternating hand-over-hand movements to gather the remaining yarn into a neat pile or wrap it around a paper roll.
Repeat the activity. Try asking the child to switch to a kneeling position to challenge their core stability further.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required due to the use of yarn/string, which can be a strangulation hazard. Ensure the yarn length is appropriate for the space and monitor to prevent wrapping around the child’s neck or fingers. The box used as an anchor must be heavy and stable.

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.