The Card Link Arch

The Card Link Arch

Steps:

  • Place the paper cup upside down on a flat table.
  • Pick up two index cards with your helper hand.
  • Slide a paper clip onto the edges to join the cards.
  • Repeat this to make a long chain of four or five cards.
  • Curve the cards over the cup to form a bridge.
  • Add extra clips to the bottom of the end cards for weight.
  • Slide the cup out slowly to see if the arch stays up.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the child remains seated at the table and uses only the craft materials.

The Woven Stick Bridge

The Woven Stick Bridge

Steps:

  • Cut a long, narrow rectangle from a piece of sturdy cardboard.
  • Glue several craft sticks across the rectangle, leaving small gaps.
  • Wait for the glue to dry until the sticks are very firm.
  • Tie a piece of colorful yarn to the first craft stick.
  • Weave the yarn over the first stick and under the second one.
  • Continue the pattern until you reach the end of the bridge.
  • Use markers to draw a scene with water under the bridge.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they use scissors or handle yarn.

The Bubble Wrap Pincer Pop

The Bubble Wrap Pincer Pop

Steps:

  • Place a small sheet of bubble wrap on the table.
  • Use markers to color five bubbles red and five bubbles blue.
  • Give your child a clothespin and ask them to pinch it open.
  • Challenge them to use the clothespin to squeeze and pop only the red bubbles.
  • Switch hands and try to pop all the blue bubbles with the other hand.
  • Listen for the pop sound every time they squeeze a bubble!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put small pieces of plastic wrap in their mouth.

The Cotton Cloud Rainbow Drop

The Cotton Cloud Rainbow Drop

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw a large, simple rainbow shape on your piece of cardboard.
  • Squeeze a line of glue along the first arc of the rainbow.
  • Pick up cotton balls one by one and press them firmly into the glue.
  • Continue until the entire rainbow is covered in fluffy white clouds.
  • Mix a few drops of food coloring with water in separate small bowls.
  • Use the eyedropper to suck up the colored water.
  • Gently drop the color onto the cotton balls to make a rainbow.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using food coloring to avoid stains. Ensure the child does not put the cotton balls or colored water in their mouth.

The Cup Ring Connector

The Cup Ring Connector

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw three colorful dots around the rim of each paper cup.
  • Hold the cup steady with your helper hand while you use the hole puncher.
  • Squeeze the puncher hard to make a hole right on top of each marker dot.
  • Take a pipe cleaner and slide it through a hole in the first cup.
  • Slide the other end of the pipe cleaner into a hole in a second cup.
  • Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner together to lock the cups together!
  • Keep adding more cups and pipe cleaners to build a long, bendy cup train.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while using a hole puncher to prevent finger pinches. Check pipe cleaner ends for sharpness before play.