Tension Track Ball Glide

Tension Track Ball Glide

Steps:

  • Cut a large rectangle of cardboard for your base.
  • Use markers and a ruler to draw a straight road down the center.
  • Cut a smaller cardboard square to serve as your delivery cart.
  • Use the tip of your scissors to poke two small holes on opposite sides of the cart.
  • Thread a long piece of string through both holes so the cart can slide.
  • Use masking tape to secure the four ends of the strings to the base corners.
  • Balance a ping pong ball on top of the small cart.
  • Pull the strings outward to glide the cart safely to the finish line!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors. Ensure the string is stored away after play to prevent any risk.

The Button Balance Scale

The Button Balance Scale

Steps:

  • Lay a pencil flat on a table. Use a small piece of masking tape to stop it from rolling.
  • Place the middle of the ruler on top of the pencil. It should tilt back and forth like a seesaw.
  • Use your thumb and pointer finger to pick up a single button from your collection.
  • Place the button gently on one end of the ruler.
  • Now, try to place a second button on the other side to balance the weight.
  • When the ruler stays level without touching the table, your child has mastered the challenge of finding the center of gravity.
  • Keep adding buttons to see how many the scale can hold before it tips.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Buttons are a choking hazard. Keep them away from small children and pets at all times.

Make a Puzzle

Hand the child a xeroxed page of a holiday design (with multiple items to color) or draw a picture on the paper/construction paper.

Use the ruler to draw horizontal and vertical lines for the child to cut (number of pieces depends on the child’s age and skills).

You can also draw curved or wiggly lines depending on your child’s cutting abilities.

Have the child follow directions based on skill level.

Start with simple directions and progress to harder instructions if appropriate.

Once all items are colored, have the child cut across the lines.

Once cut, the child should reassemble the puzzle.

Place the pieces in a ziplock bag to take home if desired.

Cut the Line

Cut The Line activity

Use the ruler to draw 4 inch thick lines across an index card.

At the edge of each line put a sticker and ask the child to cut along the line you drew all the way up to the sticker.

When the child is able to cut along an index card easily, repeat the activity using a paper.