Material: Plastic Container

Zigzag Beam Clip Challenge

Zigzag Beam Clip Challenge

Steps:

  • Lay out three long strips of cardboard in a zigzag line on the floor.
  • Use masking tape to stick the cardboard firmly to the ground.
  • Use markers to draw five small circles along the cardboard path.
  • Place a paper cup at the very end of the line.
  • Fill a plastic container with colorful pom-poms and place it at the start.
  • Give your child a handful of paper clips to hold in one hand.
  • Ask your child to walk slowly along the cardboard beam.
  • As they walk, they must place one pom-pom inside each drawn circle.
  • While standing on the beam, they must use pincer fingers to slide a paper clip onto the paper cup.
  • If they step off the cardboard, they have to go back to the start!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the floor area is clear of other toys to prevent tripping. Make sure the cardboard is taped flat so it is not slippery.

The Shimmering Mosaic Lid Garden

The Shimmering Mosaic Lid Garden

Steps:

  • Place the plastic container on a flat table.
  • Use markers to draw grass and flower stems on the sides of the container.
  • Put long strips of masking tape across the lid with the sticky side facing up.
  • Secure the edges of the tape so it stays on the lid.
  • Have your child pick up one sequin using their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Press the sequin onto the sticky tape to make a flower on top of the stem.
  • Continue until the garden on the lid is full of colorful sequin flowers.

Safety Tip:
Sequins are very small and can be a choking hazard, so please supervise your child closely during play.

The Pipe Cleaner Deep Sea Divers

The Pipe Cleaner Deep Sea Divers

Steps:

  • Fill the plastic container about halfway with cool water.
  • Take a colorful pipe cleaner and bend it into the shape of a little person.
  • Ask your child to pick up a nut from the pile using their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Thread the nut onto the pipe cleaner diver’s legs to act as a heavy weight.
  • Drop the diver into the water to see if it sinks or floats.
  • Add more nuts and bolts until the diver reaches the very bottom of the tank!
  • Use another pipe cleaner as a hook to fish the divers back up to the surface.

Safety Tip:
Ensure your child is seated at a stable table. Metal nuts and bolts are small and should be handled with care.

The Pool Noodle Penny Bank

The Pool Noodle Penny Bank

Steps:

  • An adult uses a knife to cut several narrow slits into a pool noodle.
  • Use your markers to write point values like 5, 10, or 25 next to each slot.
  • Give your child five coins from a plastic container to hold in their palm at once.
  • Ask your child to move one coin to their fingertips without using their other hand.
  • Challenge them to push the coin firmly into a slot on the pool noodle.
  • Repeat this until all the coins are safely inside the noodle bank!

Safety Tip:
Coins are a choking hazard. Keep them away from younger siblings. Always supervise your child during play.

The Paper Roll Marble Plunge

The Paper Roll Marble Plunge

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw three small ‘X’ marks on the side of your long paper roll.
  • Have an adult help you poke a small hole through each ‘X’ mark using a pencil tip.
  • Push one craft stick through each hole so it stretches all the way across the inside of the tube.
  • Wrap a piece of masking tape over the bottom of the paper roll to seal it shut tightly.
  • Stand the roll upright inside a plastic container and drop five marbles into the top of the tube.
  • Slowly pull the bottom craft stick out and listen for the marbles to drop to the next level.
  • Remove the remaining sticks one by one until all the marbles are resting on the bottom tape.
  • Peel the tape away to let the marbles plunge into the container for a grand finale!

Safety Tip:
Marbles are a major choking hazard. This activity is for school-age children, but always keep marbles away from younger siblings.