Pipe Cleaners - Page 8 of 16

Pom-Pom Pin Bouquet

Steps:

Secure the sponge firmly onto the piece of cardboard using masking tape underneath. This creates a stable and resistant base.
Place 2 or 3 pom-poms into the container. Challenge your child to thread these pom-poms onto one pipe cleaner, pushing them toward the center.
Hold the cardboard base firmly steady with your non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to grip the exposed end of the pipe cleaner pin.
Aim the pin at the sponge. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the pipe cleaner straight down into the resistant sponge base.
Repeat this threading and pushing process until your colorful pom-pom bouquet fills the entire sponge garden.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pom-poms and cut pipe cleaners are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Resistant Gate Push

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the foam sheet tightly onto the cardboard piece for maximum stability.
Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut 8 to 10 narrow, short slits (about 1.5 inches long) randomly across the foam surface. Ensure the slits are very tight.
Encourage your child to use both hands to bend and twist the pipe cleaners into small, rigid shapes like tight coils, flat squares, or stiff hooks. Ensure they are strong.
Challenge your child to hold the stable cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand.
Pick up one rigid pipe cleaner shape. Aim the shape at a narrow slit and use a strong, controlled push to insert the entire shape through the resistant foam gate. Feel the effort!
Repeat this forceful pushing and threading action until all the slits have been successfully filled with colorful pipe cleaner shapes.

Safety Tip:
Adults must handle the scissors for cutting the narrow slits. Supervise closely as children manipulate pipe cleaners, ensuring the ends are tucked or curled to prevent scratches while pushing.

Resistant Foam Pin Push

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use a marker to draw several guide dots onto the foam sheet. Use masking tape to secure the foam tightly onto the sturdy cardboard base.
Help your child bend or roll several pipe cleaners until they are stiff, short pieces. These are your ‘resistant pins.’
Ask your child to hold the cardboard base firmly steady on the table using their non-dominant (helper) hand.
Pick up a resistant pin using a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Aim the tip of the pin at a marked dot. Use a controlled, strong push to drive the stiff pipe cleaner straight through the dense foam and into the cardboard base.
Repeat this forceful pushing action until all the marked dots have been successfully filled with colorful pins.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small materials and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Resistance Tear Push

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut one narrow, tight slit (about 1.5 inches long) into the plastic container lid. Secure the lid firmly onto the container using masking tape.
Give your child strips of construction paper. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the paper into small, rough pieces. Tearing this resistant material requires strong effort.
Take one pipe cleaner. Help your child bend and fold it until it becomes a short, stiff ‘poker stick.’
Ask your child to hold the container steady with their non-dominant hand. Place one torn paper scrap near the narrow slot.
Using the stiff pipe cleaner poker, aim carefully and push the paper scrap completely through the resistant slot.
Continue tearing, poking, and pushing until all the paper has been successfully delivered inside the container.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Torn paper pieces and pipe cleaners are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the pipe cleaner is bent safely before use.

Cardboard Tee Lacing

Steps:

Use markers to draw several dots onto the piece of cardboard. These dots are your targets.
Place the cardboard flat on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the cardboard firmly with their helper hand to keep it steady.
Pick up a golf tee. Use a strong, controlled push to insert the tee straight through the cardboard at one of the marked dots. Feel the resistance!
Remove all the golf tees, leaving behind a set of neat, small holes across the surface.
Challenge your child to thread the pipe cleaners through the new holes. They must weave the fuzzy sticks in and out to create a colorful lacing pattern.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Golf ball tees and small pieces of pipe cleaner pose choking hazards for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.