Material: Pillows

The Carpet Sled Racer

The Carpet Sled Racer

Steps:

  • Find a large, flat piece of sturdy cardboard from a box.
  • Use a hole puncher to make two holes in the center of one short edge.
  • Thread a long rope through the holes and tie it with a very tight knot.
  • Place a soft pillow on the cardboard to make a comfy seat for your child.
  • Have your child sit or kneel on the pillow while holding the cardboard sides.
  • Pull the rope slowly to give your little racer a smooth ride across the rug.
  • Challenge them to keep their back straight and stay balanced as you move.

Safety Tip:
Always pull the sled slowly and ensure the path is clear of sharp corners or hard furniture.

The Over-Head Balloon Drop

The Over-Head Balloon Drop

Steps:

  • Place a soft pillow on the floor for your child to lie on.
  • Set a large basket about a foot behind your child’s head.
  • Ask your child to lie on their back and squeeze a balloon between their ankles while holding the pillow sides.
  • Encourage them to lift their legs up and over their head.
  • The goal is to drop the balloon into the basket without using their hands!
  • Try it again and see how many times they can score in a row.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the area behind the child’s head is clear of hard furniture or sharp edges.

Newspaper Nest Foot Deliver

Newspaper Nest Foot Deliver

Steps:

  • Crumple several sheets of newspaper into large, loose balls with your child.
  • Place a basket on a rug at one end of the room.
  • Put the newspaper balls in a pile a few feet away from the basket.
  • Have your child sit on a pillow on the floor, facing the basket.
  • Encourage them to lean back and brace themselves with their hands behind them.
  • Challenge them to pick up one newspaper ball using only their feet.
  • They must lift their legs carefully and drop the ball into the basket.
  • See how many nests they can deliver without using their hands!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the floor is not slippery and the area is clear of sharp furniture corners.

The Sticky Spider Crawl Maze

Set up a ‘web’ area by placing two large boxes or firm pillows a few feet apart. Use masking tape to string yarn back and forth between the two structures, creating a low, crisscrossing maze pattern (the sticky spider web).

The goal is to cross from one side to the other. You can grade the activity up and down by spacing the spider webs.

Pillow Bridge Balance

Pillow Bridge Balance

Steps:

  • Set up a ‘Pillow Bridge’ by placing a large, firm pillow or cushion on the floor (use a couch cushion if available).
  • Place a small stack of craft sticks within easy reach on the floor on one side of the pillow. Place 3-4 empty paper cups on the floor just beyond comfortable reaching distance on the opposite side.
  • Ask your child to lie on their stomach over the pillow, draping their body so their belly and hips are supported (this is called prone extension).
  • Encourage your child to reach across the ‘bridge’ with both hands to pick up a craft stick, then stretch forward to place the stick carefully into one of the empty cups. Try to fill all the cups!
  • To add a challenge, move the cups slightly further away or ask them to sort the sticks by color into different cups, encouraging sustained reaching.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise this activity closely. Ensure the pillow is stable and soft enough for comfortable support. Stop the activity if your child experiences neck strain or fatigue. They should lift their head and chest, keeping their shoulders engaged.