Pom-poms - Page 4 of 10

Treasure Transfer Challenge

Set the stage: Place two containers (like a bowl, cup, or bucket) on a table or the floor. Set them a short distance apart.

Prepare the “treasure”: Fill one of the containers with small items. You can use pom poms, small toys, or cotton balls.

Choose a tool: Give your child a pair of tongs/tweezers. If that’s too challenging, they can start with a large spoon.

Start the transfer: Ask your child to move the “treasure” pieces one by one from the full container to the empty one using only their tool.

Level up: To make it more challenging, move the containers further apart or encourage your child to use their non-dominant hand for a few turns!

Band Launcher Target

Steps:

Prep the launcher by taping one end of a craft stick firmly to the edge of a flat piece of cardboard. The stick must be able to spring back up.
Place the container (the target) a short distance away from the cardboard launch pad.
Encourage your child to use a precise pincer grasp to place a pom-pom onto the free end of the craft stick.
Use one hand to stabilize the cardboard while the other hand presses down on the craft stick tip using controlled force.
Quickly release the stick to launch the pom-pom toward the target container. Count the successful hits!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise to prevent small pom-poms from being placed in the mouth. Ensure the launch area is clear before shooting to avoid hitting anyone.

Pom-pom Poking Garden

Steps:

Set up the ‘garden bed’ by pressing a large chunk of playdough firmly into the bottom or lid of the plastic container, creating a flat, stable surface (the ‘soil’).
Give the child a handful of toothpicks. Encourage them to hold the toothpick using their three working fingers (thumb, index, and middle finger) just like they hold a pencil, and poke several deep ‘starter holes’ into the playdough.
Present the pom-poms (the ‘flowers’). Challenge the child to pick up one pom-pom at a time using only their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp).
The child then carefully places the pom-pom onto the top of an upright toothpick, creating a colorful and pointy ‘garden.’ Continue until the garden is full!
When finished, encourage the child to carefully remove the pom-poms and toothpicks, working on the opposite motion (pulling up) to vary the resistance.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise closely due to the sharp ends of the toothpicks. Ensure the child remains seated while working to maintain focus and stability, discouraging standing or carrying the toothpicks while walking.

Pom-Pom Skyscraper

Steps:

Set up the building zone by placing the Styrofoam block on the table and putting the bowl of toothpicks and pom-poms beside it.
Encourage your child to use their dominant hand to push the sharp end of the toothpicks straight down into the Styrofoam, creating tall ‘towers’ in a pattern or design. Remind them to use their helper hand to stabilize and hold the foam block steady.
Once the ‘skyscrapers’ are built, challenge the child to use a neat pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) to carefully place one pom-pom onto the top of each exposed toothpick tip, trying to balance it gently.

Safety Tip:
Due to the sharp nature of toothpicks, this activity requires direct adult supervision. Ensure the child understands the toothpicks are only for building and must never be put near the face or mouth.

Sticky Straw Scoop

Steps:

Prepare the ‘scoop’ by taking a straw and securing a small loop of masking tape (sticky side facing out) onto one end.
Place a pile of pom-poms on the table and the empty Container next to the Construction Paper target.
Show the child how to hold the straw using their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp), just like holding a miniature pencil.
Challenge the child to carefully touch the sticky straw tip to a pom-pom, lifting it when it sticks firmly.
The child then transfers the sticky pom-pom over the container and uses their non-dominant hand or fingertips to peel it off the straw and drop it in.
Continue this process until all the pom-poms are successfully moved from the starting pile into the container.

Safety Tip:
Always provide close adult supervision during this activity. Ensure the child understands that the small pom-poms and tape are not to be put in the mouth.