Yarn - Page 8 of 14

Floating Balloon Paddle Tap

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie yarn to the end.
Use masking tape to stick the yarn to a door.
Let the balloon hang low enough for your child to reach.
Give them a paper plate to hold like a paddle.
Ask them to tap the balloon with the plate.
See how many times they can hit it in a row.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children with balloons. Broken balloon pieces are a serious choking hazard. Ensure the yarn is not long enough to wrap around the neck.

Mystery Yarn Foil Maze

Steps:

Draw a winding maze on a piece of sturdy Cardboard.
Trace the path with Glue and stick Yarn on top.
Once dry, place the Cardboard inside an Aluminium Foil Pan.
Turn the pan over so the Cardboard is underneath.
Ask your child to press the foil using their pointer finger.
Follow the raised yarn bumps to finish the maze!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using small materials like yarn and glue.

Putty Spool Force Push

Steps:

Adult Prep: Press a large lump of stiff playdough firmly into the bottom of the container to create a stable base.
Adult Prep: Twist 5 to 6 short pieces of yarn tightly into small loops. Embed these yarn loops halfway into the surface of the playdough, ensuring they are resistant.
Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base on the table.
Pick up one craft stick. Encourage a firm, three-finger or pincer grip on the stick.
Aim the stick at a resistant yarn loop embedded in the playdough base.
Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick straight through the yarn and deep into the resistant playdough. Feel the effort!
Repeat this action until all the yarn loops have a stick pushed through them. Pull them out quickly for extra heavy work!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough, yarn, and craft sticks are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Wet Sponge Weight Weave

Steps:

Fill the container with water and soak the sponge fully. Wring it out hard so it is damp and dense, then press it firmly back into the container base.
Adult Prep: Tie one bead securely onto the end of a 12-inch piece of yarn. Tie the opposite end of the yarn onto the middle of one craft stick.
Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base on the table.
Using the working hand, aim the craft stick tip at the sponge. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick and the attached yarn/bead completely through the resistant sponge.
Pull the stick back out, feeling the resistance and drag of the yarn as it comes through the wet sponge. Repeat this push and pull action until your child tires.

Safety Tip:
Beads and yarn are small materials. Constant, direct adult supervision is required to ensure these items are not ingested, as they pose a choking hazard.

Weighted Reel Rescue

Steps:

Adult Prep: Secure the plastic container firmly onto the center of the cardboard base using masking tape. This makes a stable reel base. Tape one craft stick across the container opening, creating a spinning reel handle. Tie the yarn to the handle and attach the bean bag to the loose end.
Place the cardboard base on the floor. Unwind the yarn completely, setting the bean bag target a few feet away. Hold the container base firmly with your helper hand to keep it from sliding.
Use your working hand to grip the reel handle. Begin twisting the stick repeatedly (forearm rotation) to slowly reel the yarn back in. Keep reeling until the heavy bean bag reaches the container. Repeat the reeling and unwinding.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the cardboard base is firmly anchored so it does not tip or slide when the child applies rotational force. Monitor the child’s body position to ensure they sit or kneel stably while working.