Stick Flag Thread

Steps:

  • Use markers to color the craft sticks in three different colors (e.g., red, blue, green).
  • An adult should cut the paper roll into 3-inch sections. Use a hole puncher to create 6 to 8 holes randomly around each section.
  • Help your child take index cards and draw a matching colored dot on each one. Cut a small slit into the center of each card (these are your flags).
  • Challenge your child to hold the paper roll steady with their helper hand. They use their other hand to thread a colored stick straight through one of the holes.
  • Once the stick is threaded, they must find the matching colored index card flag. Ask them to slide the flag onto the exposed end of the stick.
  • Continue threading sticks and matching flags until the entire paper roll is covered in colorful flags!

Safety Tip:
Adults must handle the scissors and hole puncher during preparation. Supervise the activity to ensure the child does not put the craft sticks near their eyes or mouth.

Fringe Card Weave

Fringe Card Weave

Steps:

  • Fold one index card in half lengthwise (hot dog style).
  • Use markers to draw several short, straight lines along the folded edge. Stop the lines about one inch before the open card edges.
  • Hold the card steady with one hand. Carefully cut along each marker line to create a dense fringe.
  • Unfold the card to reveal the long, cut strips. Put a small dab of glue on one end of the yarn.
  • Challenge your child to weave the yarn horizontally across the fringe strips. Go under one strip, then over the next strip, and repeat.
  • Continue weaving until the entire fringe is connected by the colorful yarn. Secure the final end with another dab of glue.

Safety Tip:
Scissors and yarn require direct adult supervision. Ensure the child uses child-safe scissors and monitors closely to prevent accidental ingestion of small paper snips or pieces of yarn, which pose a choking hazard.

Paper Roll Snip Monster

Paper Roll Snip Monster

Steps:

  • Use markers to color the entire outside surface of the paper roll (toilet paper or paper towel size) with bright colors. Encourage using both hands to stabilize the roll while coloring.
  • An adult should draw several straight lines (about 1 inch long) around the bottom edge of the roll, spaced about a quarter-inch apart. These are the guides for snipping.
  • Encourage your child to use their non-dominant hand firmly inside the roll to keep it steady (proximal stability) while using the scissors to carefully snip along each marked line.
  • Once the bottom is fully snipped, gently bend the strips outward to create a fringe (the ‘legs’ or ‘wiggly hair’).
  • Finish the craft by gluing two wiggle eyes onto the top section of the roll to complete your Paper Roll Snip Monster!

Safety Tip:
Always provide direct adult supervision when using scissors. Ensure that any small pieces, such as wiggle eyes, are properly glued or immediately removed from the workspace to prevent choking in children under 5.

Dinosaur Feet

The purpose of this activity is to promote visual motor skills and spatial awareness, as it pertains to directionality (i.e. above, below, to the right of, to the left of, etc.).

Preparation:

Step 1: Cut out colored paper into “dinosaur feet.”
Step 2: Arrange stickers on one dinosaur foot.
Step 3: Have your child imitate the exact pattern with stickers on the opposite foot.

Hatching Egg

This hatching egg activity provides the child with a fun chance to address fine motor skills and bilateral coordination.

Preparation:
Step 1: Draw a chick’s face on an oval-shaped construction paper.
Step 2: Cut the oval-shaped brown construction paper into cracks & tape it together onto the chick’s face.
Step 3: Have the child use both hands to pull off the brown eggshell from the baby chick.