The Pipe Cleaner Deep Sea Divers

The Pipe Cleaner Deep Sea Divers

Steps:

  • Fill the plastic container about halfway with cool water.
  • Take a colorful pipe cleaner and bend it into the shape of a little person.
  • Ask your child to pick up a nut from the pile using their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Thread the nut onto the pipe cleaner diver’s legs to act as a heavy weight.
  • Drop the diver into the water to see if it sinks or floats.
  • Add more nuts and bolts until the diver reaches the very bottom of the tank!
  • Use another pipe cleaner as a hook to fish the divers back up to the surface.

Safety Tip:
Ensure your child is seated at a stable table. Metal nuts and bolts are small and should be handled with care.

The Foil Pan Bead Toss

The Foil Pan Bead Toss

Steps:

  • Place the aluminium foil pan on a flat table or a waterproof surface.
  • Fill the pan about halfway with cool water to create a shallow pond.
  • Ask your child to stand a few steps away from the pan.
  • Give them a handful of colorful beads to hold in one hand.
  • Challenge them to toss the beads one by one into the water pan.
  • Once all the beads are in the water, give your child a spoon.
  • Ask them to use their dominant hand to scoop up one bead at a time.
  • Have them carefully carry the bead on the spoon to a nearby bowl.
  • Try to see how fast they can rescue all the beads from the pond!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during water play to prevent any accidents. Beads are a significant choking hazard, so keep them away from children who still put objects in their mouth.

The Foil Pan Color Pond

The Foil Pan Color Pond

Steps:

  • Fill three paper cups halfway with cool water and add two drops of different food coloring to each.
  • Place the empty aluminium foil pan onto a flat table or a waterproof surface.
  • Ask your child to hold the eyedropper using their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Challenge them to suck up the colored water from a cup and carefully move it over to the pan.
  • Have your child use their other hand to hold the edge of the pan to keep it still.
  • Encourage them to release small drops into the pan to create colorful patterns or ‘ponds.’
  • Try to mix colors together in the pan to see what new colors appear!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during water play. Ensure that food coloring is handled carefully to prevent staining of clothes or household surfaces.

The Floating Island Bean Drop

The Floating Island Bean Drop

Steps:

  • Fill the aluminium foil pan halfway with cool water to create your ‘ocean.’
  • Place the sponge gently into the water so it floats like a tiny island.
  • Put a handful of dry beans into a small bowl next to the pan.
  • Show your toddler how to pick up one bean using their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Encourage your child to carefully set the bean onto the center of the floating sponge.
  • Watch as the sponge bobs and tilts with each new bean added!
  • Challenge them to see how many beans the island can hold before it gets too heavy.
  • When finished, they can use their fingers to scoop the beans off the sponge.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Beans are small and pose a risk. Always supervise your toddler closely and store materials safely after play.

The Coffee Filter Magic Flower

The Coffee Filter Magic Flower

Steps:

  • Set out a few white coffee filters on a tray or plastic container.
  • Show your child how to fold the coffee filter in half, then in half again.
  • Mix a few drops of food coloring into small cups of water.
  • Have your child squeeze the eyedropper to soak up the colorful water.
  • Encourage them to carefully drop the water onto the folded edges of the filter.
  • Slowly unfold the wet filter to see a beautiful, colorful pattern.
  • Let the filters dry to create magic flowers or window art!

Safety Tip:
Food coloring can stain clothes and surfaces. Use a tray to keep the water contained. Always supervise your child when using the eyedropper and water.