Cardboard Crunch Slot

Cardboard Crunch Slot

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use masking tape to fully cover the opening of the plastic container. Cut one very narrow, tight slot (about 1.5 inches long) in the center of the taped lid.
  • Give your child a piece of firm cardboard. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the cardboard into small, jagged, postage stamp-sized pieces. Tearing this resistant material is heavy work!
  • Ask your child to hold the prepared container firmly with their helper hand to keep it stable on the table.
  • Pick up one torn, rough cardboard piece. Aim the piece at the narrow slot and turn it until it fits just right.
  • Use a strong, steady push with the fingertips to send the cardboard piece completely inside the container. Repeat until all the torn pieces are posted!

Safety Tip:
Cardboard scraps and masking tape are potential choking hazards. Constant, direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity. Ensure the child remains seated and does not put materials near their mouth.

Foil Push Bead Garden

Foil Push Bead Garden

Steps:

  • Place the Aluminium Foil Pan flat on the table. Use markers to draw a few small dots randomly on the pan’s bottom surface. These dots are your targets.
  • Set the pile of Beads and Golf Ball Tees next to the pan in a Plastic Container.
  • Hold the pan firmly with your helper hand. Pick up one Golf Ball Tee using a pincer grasp.
  • Pick up one bead and carefully balance it on the narrow end of the Golf Ball Tee.
  • Aim the tee and bead toward a marker dot. Use a strong, steady push to pierce the foil and drop the bead inside the pan.
  • Repeat this action until all the target dots have a bead successfully ‘planted’ through the foil.

Safety Tip:
Beads and golf tees are small, hard objects. They pose a choking hazard for children under five. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity.

Tight Coil Stick Art

Tight Coil Stick Art

Steps:

  • Place one Craft Stick flat on the table. Use your helper hand to hold it steady and still.
  • Take a Pipe Cleaner. Use your dominant hand to twist it tightly around the stick. Coil the pipe cleaner snugly from end to end.
  • Continue wrapping new pipe cleaners until the entire Craft Stick is covered in a dense, fuzzy layer. Press the coils close together.
  • Choose one small sticker from the Plastic Container. Peel the sticker using only your thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
  • Carefully press the sticker firmly onto the fuzzy, coiled surface of the stick. This requires precise aim and controlled force.
  • Cover the coiled stick with colorful stickers until you complete your masterpiece. Count how many stickers you placed.

Safety Tip:
Pipe cleaners and small stickers pose a choking hazard. Constant, direct adult supervision is required for children under 5 throughout this activity.

Sticky Bean Rescue

Sticky Bean Rescue

Steps:

  • Take a handful of Theraputty and hide the dry beans deep inside it. Mash the putty into a firm ball.
  • Press the putty firmly into the bottom of the plastic container. This keeps the sticky base steady for the rescue mission.
  • Pick up the tongs. Use them to carefully grip one bean at a time and pull it straight out of the sticky putty.
  • Transfer the rescued beans into a separate pile on the table. Count how many beans you saved!
  • If a bean is too deep or stubborn, use a craft stick to gently loosen it from the putty before trying again with the tongs.

Safety Tip:
Beans and Theraputty are small objects. Maintain constant adult supervision during this activity, as these materials pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the child washes hands after using the putty.

Card Flipper Launch

Card Flipper Launch

Steps:

  • Hold the index card firmly with your helper hand. Cut 3 short, narrow slits across the center of the card using scissors. Keep the slits straight and tight.
  • Take a craft stick (the lever). Carefully push the stick through all three narrow slits. The stick should bend the card into a slight spring shape.
  • Set the lever structure down flat on the table. Place a bead onto the end of the craft stick using your thumb and pointer finger (pincer control).
  • Hold the index card base steady with your helper hand. Use one finger from your dominant hand to press the craft stick down slightly. Quickly release it to launch the bead toward the container target.

Safety Tip:
Beads are very small and pose a significant choking hazard. Close adult supervision is required throughout the entire activity. Ensure all small materials are collected and stored safely after play.