Scissors - Page 17 of 43

Tight Coil Tunnel Twist

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut an index card in half. Cover one half completely with aluminum foil, crimping the edges tightly underneath. Secure this foiled card flat onto a sturdy piece of cardboard using masking tape.
Use a marker tip or pen to poke 5-6 small starter holes into the foil surface. These holes should be slightly smaller than the pipe cleaners.
Encourage your child to twist the pipe cleaners tightly around their finger or a pencil to create small, dense, stiff coils. This builds hand strength!
Ask your child to hold the stable cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand (proximal stability).
Pick up one finished coil with a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Aim the coil at a starter hole.
Use a strong, continuous twisting motion (like screwing in a lightbulb) to turn the coil. Screw the stiff coil into and through the resistant foil and cardboard base until it is fully embedded. Repeat until all holes are filled.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small materials and, especially when cut or tightly coiled, pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Collect all pieces immediately after play.

Sticky Rice Push-Through

Steps:

Prep the Pucks: Squeeze a small circle of glue onto an Index Card. Sprinkle a thick layer of dry Rice onto the glue and press it down firmly. Let the glue set for 15 minutes until tacky.
Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the Container lid. Secure the lid tightly onto the container with Masking Tape.
Tear the Index Card into small squares, making sure each rice/glue spot stays centered on its own small piece.
Stabilize: Ask the child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand on the table.
Load and Deliver: Pick up one Craft Stick. Use the stick to push the resistant, sticky rice puck straight through the narrow slot. Repeat this until all pucks are delivered!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry rice is a small material and poses a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

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.

Cardboard Coin Mail

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a narrow, horizontal slot (about 1 inch long) into the container lid. Secure the lid tightly onto the container with masking tape.
Give your child the cardboard. Encourage them to hold the cardboard steady with their helper hand.
Challenge them to squeeze the hole puncher forcefully onto the cardboard to create a big pile of small cardboard ‘coins.’ Squeezing hard provides deep muscle input!
Ask your child to pick up one stiff cardboard coin using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Aim the cardboard coin at the narrow slot.
Use a strong, controlled push to mail the coin completely through the resistant slot. Repeat until all the coins are successfully delivered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Hole punchers can pinch fingers if hands are misplaced. Ensure all small cardboard pieces are collected immediately after play, as they pose a choking hazard.

Resistant Frame Weave

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut a sturdy square from the cardboard. Use the masking tape to wrap a dense, continuous layer around the entire perimeter of the square, sticky side OUT. Press the sticky tape firmly onto the cardboard base.
Place the cardboard frame on a stable table. Encourage your child to bend and straighten the pipe cleaners until they are stiff sticks.
Ask your child to hold the cardboard frame firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base.
Using the working hand, aim the pipe cleaner tip at the narrow, sticky frame edge. Use a strong push and a twisting motion to thread the pipe cleaner all the way through the sticky tape layer.
Continue this pushing and weaving action until the entire sticky frame is filled with colorful, rigid pipe cleaners.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small materials and pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Adults must handle the scissors during preparation.