Executive Functioning

Balloon Blast Ping Pong Path

Steps:

Cut several long strips of cardboard and bend them into U-shaped arches.
Use masking tape to stick these arches onto a flat table to make a tunnel path.
Place a ping pong ball at the very beginning of the path.
Blow up a bright balloon but do not tie the end shut.
Pinch the balloon neck tightly with your fingers to keep the air inside.
Hold the balloon behind the ball and point the opening at it.
Slowly let go of the pinch to release a blast of air.
Try to blow the ball through every single cardboard arch to the finish!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are playing with balloons. If a balloon pops, pick up and throw away the broken pieces immediately. These can be a choking hazard.

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.

The Button Logic Grid

Steps:

Use a marker to draw a three-by-three grid on the cardboard.
Collect nine buttons in three different colors from your container.
You will need three red, three blue, and three yellow ones.
Explain that each color only goes once in every row.
Each color also only goes once in every column.
Place one button in a corner to start the game.
Ask your child to place the rest of the buttons.
Encourage them to check their work for any double colors.
Check the final work together to see if it is correct!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Buttons are a choking hazard for younger siblings.

The Pool Noodle Penny Bank

Steps:

An adult uses a knife to cut several narrow slits into a pool noodle.
Use your markers to write point values like 5, 10, or 25 next to each slot.
Give your child five coins from a plastic container to hold in their palm at once.
Ask your child to move one coin to their fingertips without using their other hand.
Challenge them to push the coin firmly into a slot on the pool noodle.
Repeat this until all the coins are safely inside the noodle bank!

Safety Tip:
Coins are a choking hazard. Keep them away from younger siblings. Always supervise your child during play.

The Gravity Bead Labyrinth

Steps:

Find a plastic basket with small holes along the sides.
Give your child several colorful pipe cleaners.
Show them how to thread one pipe cleaner through a hole on one side.
Pull it across the middle and out through a hole on the opposite side.
Continue adding pipe cleaners at different angles to create a crisscross mesh floor.
Drop three large beads onto the fuzzy mesh you just created.
Ask your child to hold the basket handles with both hands.
Challenge them to tilt the basket gently to roll the beads across the mesh.
Try to keep the beads on the floor without them falling through the gaps!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the pipe cleaner ends are tucked in to avoid any small pokes.