Pipe Cleaner Ring Drop

Pipe Cleaner Ring Drop

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use the scissors to cut a strip of construction paper that fits over the container opening. Secure this paper firmly with masking tape.
  • Adult Prep: Cut one very narrow, tight slit (about 1.5 inches long) in the center of the secured paper strip to create a resistant mail slot.
  • Give your child the pipe cleaners. Encourage them to use both hands to bend and twist each pipe cleaner into a tight, stiff ring or loop.
  • Ask your child to hold the prepared container firmly with their helper hand to keep it stable on the table.
  • Pick up one stiff pipe cleaner ring. Challenge your child to thread the ring straight through the narrow, resistant slit using a strong, controlled push.
  • Repeat this process until all the loops have successfully been dropped inside the container.

Safety Tip:
Pipe cleaners are a choking hazard if ingested. Constant, direct adult supervision is required. Ensure any cut or broken ends are collected immediately as they may be sharp.

Foil Push Bead Garden

Foil Push Bead Garden

Steps:

  • Place the Aluminium Foil Pan flat on the table. Use markers to draw a few small dots randomly on the pan’s bottom surface. These dots are your targets.
  • Set the pile of Beads and Golf Ball Tees next to the pan in a Plastic Container.
  • Hold the pan firmly with your helper hand. Pick up one Golf Ball Tee using a pincer grasp.
  • Pick up one bead and carefully balance it on the narrow end of the Golf Ball Tee.
  • Aim the tee and bead toward a marker dot. Use a strong, steady push to pierce the foil and drop the bead inside the pan.
  • Repeat this action until all the target dots have a bead successfully ‘planted’ through the foil.

Safety Tip:
Beads and golf tees are small, hard objects. They pose a choking hazard for children under five. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity.

Felt Resistance Wall

Felt Resistance Wall

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Cut a sturdy rectangle from the cardboard. Cut 5 to 6 narrow strips of felt, about 1 inch wide.
  • Help your child glue the felt strips vertically onto the cardboard. Leave a very narrow gap between each felt strip to create resistant channels.
  • Once the glue is completely dry, have your child hold the cardboard firmly with their helper hand to keep the wall steady.
  • Challenge your child to pick up a craft stick. Push the stick straight through one of the narrow felt channels. This requires controlled force.
  • Continue inserting all the sticks into the wall, working to keep the cardboard from tipping or moving during the push.
  • When finished, gently pull the sticks out (working those muscles again!) and repeat the building process.

Safety Tip:
Maintain constant adult supervision, especially during the preparation phase involving scissors and glue. Ensure the child pushes the sticks away from their face and body to prevent accidental poking.

Kernel Mosaic Cup

Kernel Mosaic Cup

Steps:

  • Decorate the outside of the paper cup with markers. Keep the design simple, like stripes or dots.
  • Pour a small amount of liquid glue or paste onto a piece of construction paper to create a gluing palette.
  • Use your helper hand to hold the cup steady. Dip your marker-drawn cup directly into the glue palette, covering a small section with adhesive.
  • Pick up one dry corn kernel at a time using only your thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
  • Carefully place and press the kernel onto the glued section of the cup. Try to place the kernels close together like a mosaic.
  • Repeat steps 3 through 5 until the whole cup is covered in texture. Let your kernel mosaic dry completely!

Safety Tip:
Dry corn kernels are a small, hard choking hazard. Constant and direct adult supervision is mandatory for children under 5. Ensure all materials are collected immediately after play.

Stick Bridge Clip

Stick Bridge Clip

Steps:

  • Prep the “bridge” by using masking tape to secure 5 to 7 craft sticks in a row onto the underside of a sturdy, stable table (or a sturdy chair seat).
  • Place the pile of clothespins within easy reach on the floor beneath the table.
  • Challenge your child to lie on their back on the floor, directly under the table, facing the craft sticks. This is the starting position.
  • Encourage your child to reach up and squeeze open one clothespin at a time. They must aim carefully to clip the pin onto the ‘bridge’ (the craft stick).
  • Continue until every stick is covered in colorful clothespins. To repeat, they can clip them all off and start again!

Safety Tip:
Maintain constant adult supervision. Clothespins are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for children who might still place items in their mouths. Ensure the table used is stable and cannot tip over during the activity.