Material: Ribbon

The Brave Cardboard Shield

The Brave Cardboard Shield

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut a large, sturdy circle out of a piece of cardboard.
  • Let your child decorate the front of the shield using their favorite colorful markers.
  • An adult should poke two small holes near the center of the cardboard circle.
  • Thread a piece of ribbon through the holes and tie a knot to make a handle.
  • Have your child slide their arm through the ribbon handle and hold the shield tight.
  • Stand a few feet away and gently toss soft pom-poms toward the child.
  • Challenge your child to move the shield to block every single pom-pom!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the play area is clear of furniture to prevent falls while your child moves around to block the pom-poms.

The Ribbon Tail Balloon Catch

The Ribbon Tail Balloon Catch

Steps:

  • Blow up a bright balloon and tie it tightly.
  • Cut four long strips of ribbon using your scissors.
  • Tape the ribbons to the bottom of the balloon.
  • Toss the balloon high into the air.
  • Ask your child to catch the balloon by the ribbons.
  • See how many times they can catch it before it lands!

Safety Tip:
Always watch your child when playing with balloons. Broken pieces are a choking hazard. Throw away any popped balloons right away.

The Musical Ribbon Shaker

The Musical Ribbon Shaker

Steps:

  • Give your toddler two paper plates to decorate with markers.
  • Place one plate face up on the table.
  • Help your child pick up a handful of beans.
  • Ask them to use their thumb and pointer finger to drop the beans one by one.
  • Place the second plate upside down on top of the first.
  • An adult should staple the edges together firmly.
  • Glue several colorful ribbon strips to the sides of the shaker.
  • Show your toddler how to hold the shaker with both hands.
  • Shake the plates to the beat of your favorite song!

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Beans and staples are small. Always supervise your child and ensure the plates are sealed tightly.

The Ribbon Twirl Spinner

The Ribbon Twirl Spinner

Steps:

  • Use the pencil to carefully poke a hole right in the center of the paper plate.
  • Push the pencil through the hole until the plate is near the eraser end.
  • Use several small pieces of masking tape to secure the plate to the pencil so it doesn’t wobble.
  • Cut four or five long strips of colorful ribbon using your scissors.
  • Tape one end of each ribbon strip to the edge of the paper plate.
  • Have your child hold the pencil handle with one hand while using their other hand to spin the plate.
  • Watch as the ribbons wrap around the pencil like a colorful twister!
  • Challenge them to spin it the other way to unwrap the ribbons.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors or a pencil to ensure they stay safe.

Newspaper Ring Launchers

Newspaper Ring Launchers

Steps:

  • Help your child roll a single sheet of newspaper diagonally into a tight, long tube.
  • Wrap masking tape around the top, middle, and bottom to keep the paper firm.
  • Cut a large circle out of the center of a cardboard piece for a target.
  • Use ribbon to hang the cardboard ring from a stable doorway or chair.
  • Mark a throw line on the floor with tape a few feet away.
  • Challenge your child to throw their newspaper tube through the center of the ring.
  • Move the line further back to make the game harder as they improve.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to ensure the child throws safely and the area is clear of breakable items.