Ribbon - Page 4 of 6

The Cardboard Ribbon Slider

Steps:

Help your child cut a rectangular piece of cardboard about the size of a book.
Adult step: Use scissors to poke three narrow slots across the middle of the cardboard.
Make sure the slots are just wide enough for your ribbon to pass through.
Thread a long piece of ribbon through the first slot from the back to the front.
Guide the ribbon back through the second slot, and then out through the third.
Tie a small knot at each end of the ribbon so it cannot be pulled all the way out.
Use masking tape to secure the cardboard to the table if it slides too much.
Have your child use one hand to hold the cardboard and the other to pull the ribbon.
Encourage them to pull the ribbon back and forth through the slots until they finish.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors or handling long pieces of ribbon.

Ribbon Rescue Basket Mission

Steps:

Grab a plastic basket with holes on the sides.
Place a favorite stuffed animal inside the basket.
Take long pieces of ribbon and weave them through the holes.
Crisscross the ribbon over the top to trap the toy.
Ask your child to rescue the toy by unweaving the ribbon.
They must pull each ribbon completely out through the holes.
Encourage them to use one hand to hold the basket and the other to pull.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to ensure the long ribbons do not get tangled around the child.

Ribbon Bridge Button Slide

Steps:

Secure a large piece of cardboard to a flat table using masking tape.
Cut four pieces of ribbon, each about three inches long.
Tape both ends of each ribbon piece to the cardboard to create small, tight bridges.
Space the bridges out in a straight or winding line across the board.
Place a colorful button at the start of the bridge path.
Challenge your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to slide the button under each bridge.
They must push the button all the way to the end without lifting it off the cardboard!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small buttons are a choking hazard. Keep materials away from the mouth.

Tight Coil Ribbon Weave

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the cardboard firmly onto a stable table. Cut pipe cleaners into 4-inch sections if needed.
Encourage your child to wrap one pipe cleaner tightly around a pencil. Slide the pencil out to create a small, dense coil. Repeat this action to create six colorful coils.
Use small pieces of masking tape to secure one end of each finished coil firmly onto the cardboard base. Space the coils out slightly in a winding path.
Cut a long piece of ribbon (about 18 inches). Tie one end of the ribbon securely onto the first coil target.
Challenge your child to use their fingertips to carefully push the loose end of the ribbon straight through the center of the next tight coil.
Continue this weaving action. The child should push the ribbon through each coil one by one until they reach the end of the coiled line.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required, as sharp scissors are used for preparation. Ensure the ends of the pipe cleaners are curled or tucked safely. Collect all small materials immediately after play.

Ribbon Resistance Unwind

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut several strips of ribbon (about 12 inches long). Secure one end of a ribbon strip firmly onto a craft stick using a small piece of masking tape.
Adult Prep: Tightly wrap the ribbon all the way down the stick until it is completely covered. Secure the loose end of the ribbon/stick assembly firmly inside the plastic container with more masking tape (this anchors the stick).
Have your child sit at a table and hold the plastic container steady with their helper hand to prevent it from sliding. This requires proximal stability.
Challenge the child to use their working hand to pinch the exposed end of the ribbon. Encourage them to use a strong, controlled pull and unwind motion to free the ribbon from the stick.
Once the ribbon is completely unwound, gently peel the starting tape off the stick and wrap a new ribbon tightly around the stick to play again.

Safety Tip:
Ribbon and small pieces of masking tape are small objects. Constant adult supervision is required to prevent choking hazards for children in this age group.