Pencil - OTPlan

Styrofoam Bolt Builder

Steps:

Lay a flat Styrofoam block on your table.
Use markers to draw a simple robot or house shape on the top.
Poke several small holes along the lines of your drawing using a pencil.
Pick up a long bolt and push it through one of the holes.
Reach under the foam with your other hand.
Use your fingertips to find the end of the bolt without looking.
Twist a nut onto the bolt until it is tight against the foam.
Repeat this for every hole until your structure is full of metal parts!
Stack a few wooden blocks on the bolts to see what you can build.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small nuts and bolts are a choking hazard. Ensure the pencil used for poking holes is handled safely.

The Metal Button Spire

Steps:

Use your pencil to poke a hole in the center of a sturdy cardboard square.
Push a long bolt through the hole so the threads point straight up.
Place a button onto the bolt so it rests flat on the cardboard.
Pick up a nut and twist it onto the bolt using your fingertips.
Spin the nut all the way down until it touches the button.
Add another button and then twist on a second nut.
Continue stacking buttons and nuts to build a tall, colorful spire!
Use your non-dominant hand to hold the cardboard base steady.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Nuts and bolts are small parts that can be a choking hazard. Ensure all materials are used safely.

The Rainbow Feather Carton Pull

Steps:

Flip the egg carton upside down on a flat table.
An adult should use a pencil to poke a small hole in the top of each egg cup.
Push the quill end of a colorful feather into each hole.
Show your toddler how to hold the carton steady with their helper hand.
Ask them to pinch a feather with their thumb and index finger.
Have them pull the feather straight up and out of the hole.
Celebrate each time a feather pops free and drop it in a pile!

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Feathers are small parts and can be a choking hazard for toddlers. Always supervise your child closely during this activity. Ensure they do not place feathers in their mouth.

The Straw Rocket Blast

Steps:

Use your scissors to cut a small rectangle of paper, about three inches wide.
Wrap the paper tightly around a pencil to form a neat tube.
Use a small piece of masking tape to secure the paper tube so it does not unroll.
Pinch one open end of the paper tube and fold it down tightly.
Use another piece of tape to seal this folded end completely to make the rocket nose.
Slide the open end of your paper rocket over the end of a straw.
Take a deep breath and blow hard through the straw to launch your rocket!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely while they use scissors. Ensure they do not run while holding the straws or pencils.

The Pencil Top Target Spin

Steps:

Use a small bowl to trace a circle onto your cardboard.
Carefully use scissors to cut the circle out.
Let your child draw a bright spiral pattern on the circle using markers.
Push the pencil tip straight through the center of the cardboard circle.
Make sure the cardboard fits snugly near the bottom of the pencil.
Lay your butcher paper flat on the floor and secure it with masking tape.
Use your markers to draw three nesting target circles on the paper.
Hold the pencil top with your thumb and first two fingers.
Twist your fingers quickly to spin the top onto the target circles!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the pencil tip is not overly sharp to prevent accidental pokes during the spinning motion.