Baking Cup Parachute Drop

Baking Cup Parachute Drop

Steps:

  • Help your child use a hole puncher to make four holes around the edge of a paper baking cup.
  • Cut four pieces of yarn, each about six inches long.
  • Show your child how to thread one piece of yarn through a hole and tie a simple knot.
  • Repeat this for all four holes until the cup has four strings hanging down.
  • Gather the ends of the yarn and use masking tape to stick them onto a pom-pom.
  • Hold the parachute high and let it go to watch it float to the ground!

Safety Tip:
Small pom-poms can be a choking hazard. Please keep them out of the reach of younger siblings and supervise your child closely.

Noodle Notch Shelf Build

Noodle Notch Shelf Build

Steps:

  • Use the scissors to cut a pool noodle into pieces about as long as a ruler.
  • Hold the noodle piece firmly with your non-cutting hand.
  • Snip three or four horizontal slits into the side of the foam.
  • Squeeze the handles together to make sure the scissors cut deep enough.
  • Slide a wooden craft stick halfway into each of the new slits.
  • Make sure the sticks are tight so they act like tiny shelves.
  • Use your thumb and pointer finger to pick up a soft pom-pom.
  • Carefully place the pom-pom onto the flat end of a craft stick.
  • See if you can fill all the shelves without any falling off!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors. Ensure the pom-poms are not placed in the mouth as they can be a choking hazard.

Tight Weave Screw Frame

Tight Weave Screw Frame

Steps:

  • Use the Markers to draw a sturdy frame or square onto the Cardboard. Use the Scissors to cut this frame out (parent assistance may be needed).
  • Take the Index Cards and cut them into long, colorful strips for weaving. Draw a simple pattern on them using markers.
  • Glue the beginning of each strip to the back of the Cardboard frame. Weave the strips tightly across the frame, then secure the ends with Glue on the back.
  • Using the Hole Puncher, squeeze hard to punch 4 holes straight through the woven layers and the Cardboard frame. This requires strong effort!
  • Stabilize the frame with your helper hand. Push a Bolt straight through one of the tight, punched holes.
  • Pick up a Nut with a precise Pincer Grasp. Twist the Nut firmly onto the Bolt until the woven strips are compressed tightly. Repeat until all holes are secured.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required when using scissors. Ensure the child handles the nuts and bolts appropriately, keeping them away from the mouth, nose, and ears.

Spiral Twist Core Threading

Spiral Twist Core Threading

Steps:

  • Adult Step: Secure the paper roll horizontally onto the cardboard base using strong masking tape. This creates a stable ‘dowel’ for twisting.
  • Use the markers to draw colorful stripes or dots onto several index cards. Cut the decorated cards into long, narrow strips (about 1/2 inch wide).
  • Take one paper strip. Use your fingertips to curl and twist the strip tightly around itself to create a stiff, narrow spiral shape.
  • Secure the end of the paper spiral with a small amount of glue to keep the resistant shape from unrolling. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make a pile of colorful spirals.
  • Hold the cardboard base firmly steady with your non-dominant hand. Pick up a paper spiral with your working hand.
  • Aim the spiral at the paper roll. Use a continuous twisting motion (like screwing in a lightbulb) to thread the spiral onto the roll, pushing it along the core.
  • Continue twisting and pushing the colorful spirals until the entire paper roll is covered in dense, textured art. Then, try unwinding them!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Adults should manage the scissors for preparation. Ensure the child remains seated stably to focus on the fine motor movements and to prevent the board from tipping.

Wet Paper Squeeze Mail

Wet Paper Squeeze Mail

Steps:

  • Tear the index cards into small, postage stamp-sized pieces. Encourage tearing with both hands for strong bilateral input.
  • Place all the torn pieces into the bowl. Cover the paper completely with water and let it soak for five minutes to create resistant pulp.
  • Adult Step: Cut a tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the container lid. Secure the lid shut completely with masking tape.
  • Reach into the bowl and gather a handful of wet paper pulp. Squeeze the pulp as hard as you can over the bowl to remove the water.
  • Hold the container firmly steady with your helper hand. Use your dominant hand to push the dense, wet pulp straight through the narrow slot. Repeat until the container is full!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Torn paper pieces and small wet pulp balls pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.