String - Page 2 of 5

The Magnetic Paper Clip Fish

Steps:

Draw several fish shapes on a flat piece of cardboard using your bright markers.
Help your child carefully cut out each fish using the safety scissors.
Slide a single paper clip over the nose of every cardboard fish.
Take a long paper roll and tape one end of a piece of string to the top.
Tie a second paper clip to the loose end of the string to act as the hook.
Place the fish on the floor and hold the paper roll with both hands.
Challenge your child to lower the hook and link it onto a fish’s paper clip to rescue it!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small paper clips can be a choking hazard if placed in the mouth. Ensure the string is kept away from the neck area.

The Paper Plate Pulley

Steps:

Use the hole puncher to make one hole in the middle of your paper plate.
Tape the paper plate to the top of a stable door frame using masking tape.
Thread your string through the hole you made in the plate.
Use the hole puncher to make two small holes near the rim of your paper cup.
Tie one end of the string through the holes in the cup to make a handle.
Fill the cup with a handful of beans to act as cargo.
Stand below the plate and pull the loose end of the string to lift the cup.
Try to lower the cup slowly to the floor without letting it drop or crash!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using long pieces of string to prevent a strangulation hazard.

The Balancing Button Pendulum

Steps:

Tape one end of the string to the top of a doorway.
Use the hole puncher to make two holes in the paper cup.
Tie the other end of the string through the holes to hang the cup.
Place five buttons inside the cup to give it a little weight.
Set up three cardboard strips as pins on the floor nearby.
Pull the cup back and release it to knock the pins down.
Try to keep the buttons inside the cup during the swing!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the doorway is clear of traffic and the string is not left unattended to prevent tripping.

Air-Power Cup Delivery

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie it closed.
Cut a piece of string about two feet long.
Tape one end of the string to the balloon.
Tape the other end of the string to the bottom of a paper cup.
Place five beans inside the cup for weight.
Set the cup on a smooth floor.
Give your child a paper plate to use as a fan.
Challenge your child to fan the balloon with the plate.
They must move the balloon and cup to a target.
Reach the finish line without the cup tipping over!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Beans and broken balloons are choking hazards. Keep uninflated balloons away from children.

Clip Line Treasure

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use markers to draw and cut several small shapes (like fish or stars) from the index cards. Set a long piece of string tautly between two stable points, like chair backs.
Place the paper clips in the container and the paper shapes nearby. Encourage your child to sit stably at the work table.
Ask your child to hold one paper shape steady with their helper hand to stabilize it.
Challenge them to pick up one paper clip. They must use precise fingertips to squeeze the clip open and secure it onto the edge of the paper shape.
Now, hold the taut string steady with the helper hand. Carefully clip the paper clip (and the paper shape) onto the hanging string line.
Repeat this entire process, clipping all the paper shapes onto the line. Try doing this without letting the string sag or move!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small paper clips are choking hazards for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.