Material: Pom-poms

Pom-Pom Pin Bouquet

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.

Wet Sponge Target Post

Wet Sponge Target Post

Steps:

  • Soak the sponge fully in water. Wring it out hard until it is only damp. Press the dense sponge firmly into the container base.
  • Use a craft stick to poke five starter holes straight through the resistant sponge. This creates the narrow targets.
  • Place the container on a stable table. Hold the container steady with your helper hand.
  • Pick up one pom-pom using a neat pincer grasp. Place it directly over a target hole.
  • Use the craft stick as a piston. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the pom-pom through the resistant sponge.
  • Repeat this powerful pushing action until all the pom-poms are posted inside the container.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pom-poms are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and kept away from the mouth, nose, and ears.

Felt Pocket Clip Drop

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a piece of felt that covers the container opening. Cut 6 to 8 very tight, narrow vertical slits into the felt.
  • Secure the felt tightly over the container opening using masking tape around the rim. The felt should be firm.
  • Place the pom-poms in a bowl. Practice squeezing a clothespin open using a strong two-finger pinch.
  • Challenge your child to pick up one pom-pom by securing it gently inside the open clothespin.
  • Hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand. This stabilizes the base.
  • Aim the clothespin and pom-pom at a narrow felt slit. Use a strong, controlled push to insert the pom-pom completely into the pocket.

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

Felt Tunnel Push

Felt Tunnel Push

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Cut a strip of felt. Glue it tightly around a short paper roll. Secure the roll standing vertically onto the cardboard base.
  • Place a pom-pom just inside the top opening of the felt tunnel. Hold the cardboard base steady with your helper hand.
  • Pick up a craft stick. Aim the stick straight down at the pom-pom.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick down. Force the pom-pom all the way through the resistant felt tunnel.
  • The pom-pom should pop out the bottom onto the table. Repeat this process until all the pom-poms are pushed through.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pom-poms are small objects and pose a choking hazard for young children. Adults should handle the scissors during preparation.

Pom-Pom Skewer Push

Pom-Pom Skewer Push

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Secure a thick piece of cardboard firmly onto the inside of the plastic container lid using glue. This creates a stable, resistant base for planting.
  • Place the Q-Tips and pom-poms in separate containers. Ask your child to hold one pom-pom steady with their helper hand to stabilize it.
  • Challenge your child to pick up a Q-Tip using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Encourage them to push the Q-Tip straight through the middle of the resistant pom-pom. They need controlled force to do this without bending the Q-Tip.
  • Once the pom-pom is skewered, hold the container base steady with the helper hand.
  • Aim the Q-Tip stick and push it firmly into the resistant cardboard base to create a colorful, dense forest of pom-poms.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips and small pom-poms are choking hazards for children under five. Ensure materials are not placed in the mouth, nose, or ears.