The Growing Newspaper Tree

The Growing Newspaper Tree

Steps:

  • Take two large sheets of newspaper and lay them flat on the floor.
  • Overlap the edges slightly and use a piece of masking tape to hold them together.
  • Start at one end and roll the newspaper up into a very long, tight tube.
  • Wrap another piece of tape around the bottom of the tube to keep it from unrolling.
  • Hold the tube steady with one hand and use your scissors to cut four long slits from the top down to the middle.
  • Reach into the center of the tube and gently pull the paper upward.
  • Watch as your tree grows taller and taller as you pull the strips out!
  • Use your hands to fluff out the paper branches to finish your tree.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors to keep them safe.

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 Baking Cup Button Slot

The Baking Cup Button Slot

Steps:

  • First, glue several paper baking cups onto a flat piece of cardboard.
  • Use your scissors to cut a small, narrow slit in the bottom of each cup.
  • Make sure the slit is just a little bit smaller than your buttons.
  • Use markers to draw a different colored circle around the slit in each cup.
  • Ask your child to find a button that matches the color of the circle.
  • Challenge them to use their pinching fingers to squeeze the button through the slit!
  • They should hold the cardboard steady with their other hand while they push.
  • Listen for the soft sound as the button falls through to the board.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play as buttons are a choking hazard. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent scratches.

Cosmic Pincer Star Weave

Cosmic Pincer Star Weave

Steps:

  • Cut a large, sturdy square out of your cardboard using the scissors.
  • Use your markers to draw a large, bright star in the very center of the cardboard.
  • Decorate the area around the star with small planet and galaxy stickers.
  • Use the hole puncher to create a ring of holes all the way around the outside edge of your cardboard square.
  • Cut a long piece of yarn and wrap a small bit of masking tape around one end to make a stiff ‘needle.’
  • Tape the other end of the yarn securely to the back of the cardboard.
  • Challenge your child to ‘weave’ the shooting star by pushing the yarn through a hole from the back to the front.
  • Have them pull the yarn across the center star and push it into a hole on the opposite side.
  • Continue this crisscross pattern until every hole has been used and the star is caught in a colorful yarn web!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors or a hole puncher. Ensure the yarn length is safe for play and collected after the activity.

The Cardboard Box Pinball Goal

The Cardboard Box Pinball Goal

Steps:

  • Open the shoe box and remove the lid to create your play arena.
  • Cut small strips of cardboard from the lid to make bumpers.
  • Tape the bumpers inside the box at different angles using masking tape.
  • Cut a paper straw into three pieces and tape them down as obstacles.
  • Use your markers to draw point values like 10 or 50 on the bumpers.
  • Hold the box with both hands and place the ping pong ball inside.
  • Tilt the box slowly to roll the ball and hit every bumper target!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Ensure the box edges are smooth to prevent any small scratches during play.