Plastic Container - Page 7 of 16

Tension Gate Stick Pull

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use the scissors to cut a 3-inch wide slot into the container lid. Make sure this slot is wide enough for the craft stick to pass through easily.
Adult Prep: Tightly crisscross pieces of yarn over this slot. Secure the ends of the yarn firmly onto the underside of the lid using masking tape. The yarn should create a dense, resistant ‘gate.’
Press a large lump of firm playdough into the bottom of the container base to create a heavy anchor.
Help your child push one craft stick deep into the playdough until it stands upright and feels stable.
Put the container lid on the base. Push the standing stick until its top end is firmly jammed against the tight yarn gate. Feel the resistance!
Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to prevent it from tipping during the pull.
Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to grab the exposed tip of the stick. Pull the stick straight up and out through the resistant yarn gate.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough and craft sticks are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Cardboard Hole Punch Pegging

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut several Q-Tips into short, 1-inch pegs. Fold a piece of thick cardboard firmly in half to create maximum resistance.
Use a marker to draw 8-10 target dots across the surface of the folded cardboard where the child should aim to punch.
Challenge your child to hold the cardboard firmly with their helper hand. Using strong finger force, squeeze the hole puncher onto each marker dot, creating a tight hole.
Once the holes are punched, place the short Q-Tip pegs into the container. Encourage your child to pick up one peg at a time using a neat pincer grasp.
Hold the cardboard steady with the non-dominant hand. Use a strong, controlled push to insert the Q-Tip peg straight through the resistant hole.
Continue this firm pushing action until all the punched holes have been successfully filled with colorful pegs.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Cut Q-Tips and small cardboard scraps are choking hazards for children under five. Adults must handle the scissors for preparation. Ensure the child only pushes the Q-Tip pegs into the designated holes and keeps materials away from the mouth, nose, and ears.

Felt Maze Nut Grab

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use markers to draw a simple maze or winding path onto the felt sheet.
Cut one small drop hole (slightly bigger than a nut) at the end of the maze. Secure the felt tightly over the container opening using masking tape.
Place the container on a stable table. Put the nuts next to the maze start point.
Use your non-dominant hand (the helper hand) to hold the container firmly steady.
Pick up the tongs using a strong pincer grasp. Squeeze the tongs open and gently grab one nut.
Carefully follow the path with the tongs. Press down firmly to maneuver the heavy nut through the resistant felt maze.
Once you reach the drop hole, let go of the nut and hear it clink into the box! Repeat until all the treasure is collected.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Nuts and bolts are very small, hard objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Resistance Stick Tangle

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut several 18-inch strips of yarn. Tightly wrap each yarn strip around a craft stick until only the ends are exposed.
Secure the wrapped yarn tightly to the craft stick using small, strong strips of masking tape. Press the tape down hard for maximum resistance.
Place all the secured, tangled sticks into the plastic container. Decorate the container using markers.
Sit stably at a table. Use your helper hand to hold the container firmly steady to keep it from tipping.
Use your working hand to grip the exposed end of one craft stick with a strong pincer grasp.
Challenge yourself to pull the stick straight up and out of the resistant yarn tangle. Feel the effort! Drop the rescued stick into a pile.
Repeat this process until all the sticks have been successfully pulled free from the tangle.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of yarn and masking tape pose a potential choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the child uses materials only as intended.

Sticky Sludge Squeeze

Steps:

Mix about half a cup of oats with a small amount of water in the plastic container. Stir until you have a thick, resistant, soupy mixture (the ‘sludge’).
Secure the construction paper vertically onto a wall or door using masking tape. This is your target canvas.
Tear off several small pieces of masking tape. Place them on the paper, sticky side facing OUT, to create a simple shape or path.
Hold the eyedropper using your thumb and pointer finger. Squeeze the bulb hard to draw up the resistant oat sludge.
Stabilize the paper with your helper hand. Aim the dropper at the sticky tape targets.
Squeeze the dropper forcefully to release the thick sludge onto the sticky tape. Continue this until all the sticky spots are covered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the child only uses the mixture and eyedropper as intended. Oats pose a potential choking hazard if ingested.