Pipe Cleaners - Page 2 of 12

Tension Net Drop

Steps:

Adult Prep: Twist two pipe cleaners tightly together to make 3 to 4 thick, sturdy “bands.”
Stretch the pipe cleaner bands across the container opening. Crisscross them to create a tight, resistant net.
Use masking tape to anchor the ends firmly to the container sides.
Place the buttons and craft sticks nearby. Ask your child to pick up a button using their pincer grasp.
Hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand. This provides proximal stability.
Use the craft stick to aim the button at the resistant pipe cleaner net.
Encourage a strong, controlled push to send the button popping through the network.
Repeat until all buttons are successfully dropped inside.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Buttons, pipe cleaners, and craft sticks are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Vertical Fuzzy Line Clip

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use markers to color 3 or 4 pipe cleaners and matching clothespins (e.g., green, blue, pink).
Adult Prep: Tightly stretch the pipe cleaners vertically across the container opening. Secure the ends firmly with tape or punch holes in the container rim to anchor the pipe cleaners.
Place the pom-poms and colorful clothespins nearby. Encourage your child to sit stably at the table.
Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the ‘fence.’
Use the working hand to select a clothespin. Squeeze it open hard with a strong finger pinch.
Aim the clothespin and clip it onto the pipe cleaner line that matches its color. Now, clip a pom-pom onto the clothespin for decoration!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small pom-poms and pipe cleaner pieces are choking hazards for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure all materials are collected immediately after play.

Cardboard Connector Links

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut the cardboard into 6 to 8 small, sturdy building shapes, such as squares or strips.
Use the markers to draw small target dots near the edges of each cardboard link.
Encourage your child to twist each pipe cleaner tightly into a small, stiff ring or loop. Place these finished rings in the container.
Challenge your child to hold one cardboard link firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the surface.
Squeeze the hole puncher forcefully onto each marker dot to create connection holes. Squeezing hard provides deep strength input!
Now, hold two punched cardboard links together, lining up the holes perfectly.
Use a pipe cleaner ring to link them by pushing the stiff ring through both holes. Continue linking to build a strong 3D structure.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small pipe cleaner pieces and cardboard punch-outs are choking hazards for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Corner Fold & Weave Push

Steps:

Give your child a piece of cardboard. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the cardboard into rough, postage stamp-sized pieces.
Take one torn cardboard piece. Fold a corner tightly in half, then fold it over one more time to create a dense, narrow point.
Place the finished folded pieces in the plastic container. These are your weaving targets.
Take a pipe cleaner and curl one end into a loop to create a dull ‘needle.’
Hold the folded cardboard piece firmly steady with your helper hand.
Use your dominant hand to grip the pipe cleaner needle with a strong pincer grasp. Push the needle straight through the tight folded point of the cardboard.
Repeat this process, pushing the pipe cleaner through each resistant cardboard fold.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small materials and pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure any cut ends of the pipe cleaners are curled safely before starting the activity.

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the cardboard firmly onto a stable table. Cut pipe cleaners into 4-inch sections if needed.
Encourage your child to wrap one pipe cleaner tightly around a pencil. Slide the pencil out to create a small, dense coil. Repeat this action to create six colorful coils.
Use small pieces of masking tape to secure one end of each finished coil firmly onto the cardboard base. Space the coils out slightly in a winding path.
Cut a long piece of ribbon (about 18 inches). Tie one end of the ribbon securely onto the first coil target.
Challenge your child to use their fingertips to carefully push the loose end of the ribbon straight through the center of the next tight coil.
Continue this weaving action. The child should push the ribbon through each coil one by one until they reach the end of the coiled line.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required, as sharp scissors are used for preparation. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are curled or tucked safely. Collect all small materials immediately after play.