Skill: Eye-Hand Coordination

The way the eyes guide the hands to do a task. This helps your child catch a ball, write on a line, or stack blocks without knocking them over.

The Paper Plate Pulley

The Paper Plate Pulley

Steps:

  • Use the hole puncher to make one hole in the middle of your paper plate.
  • Tape the paper plate to the top of a stable door frame using masking tape.
  • Thread your string through the hole you made in the plate.
  • Use the hole puncher to make two small holes near the rim of your paper cup.
  • Tie one end of the string through the holes in the cup to make a handle.
  • Fill the cup with a handful of beans to act as cargo.
  • Stand below the plate and pull the loose end of the string to lift the cup.
  • Try to lower the cup slowly to the floor without letting it drop or crash!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using long pieces of string to prevent a strangulation hazard.

The Styrofoam Star Map

The Styrofoam Star Map

Steps:

  • Grab a flat block of Styrofoam and set it on the table.
  • Use a marker to draw 8 small dots across the foam.
  • Ask your child to pick up a golf ball tee using their pinching fingers.
  • Have them push the pointy end of the tee straight into a dot.
  • Repeat this until all the stars have a pillar standing up.
  • Now, place a single bead on top of each golf ball tee.
  • Ask them to move slowly so the beads stay on the pillars.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Golf ball tees have pointed ends and beads are a choking hazard. Keep these materials away from small children and pets.

The Cardboard Ribbon Slider

The Cardboard Ribbon Slider

Steps:

  • Help your child cut a rectangular piece of cardboard about the size of a book.
  • Adult step: Use scissors to poke three narrow slots across the middle of the cardboard.
  • Make sure the slots are just wide enough for your ribbon to pass through.
  • Thread a long piece of ribbon through the first slot from the back to the front.
  • Guide the ribbon back through the second slot, and then out through the third.
  • Tie a small knot at each end of the ribbon so it cannot be pulled all the way out.
  • Use masking tape to secure the cardboard to the table if it slides too much.
  • Have your child use one hand to hold the cardboard and the other to pull the ribbon.
  • Encourage them to pull the ribbon back and forth through the slots until they finish.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors or handling long pieces of ribbon.

The Cardboard Tube Ball Lift

The Cardboard Tube Ball Lift

Steps:

  • Place a tennis ball on a flat floor or rug.
  • Give your child two long cardboard paper towel rolls.
  • Ask your child to hold one roll in each hand.
  • Challenge them to squeeze the ball between the ends of the paper rolls.
  • Once they have a firm grip, lift the ball off the ground.
  • Ask them to walk slowly toward a basket a few feet away.
  • Carefully release the ball into the basket without using their hands.
  • Repeat the challenge with balls of different sizes!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during this activity to prevent them from tripping. Ensure the floor is clear of other toys.

The Sticky Straw Chimney

The Sticky Straw Chimney

Steps:

  • Tape the bottom of a paper roll to a stable table.
  • Wrap masking tape around the roll with the sticky side out.
  • Give your child a bunch of colorful straws to hold.
  • Have them press each straw vertically onto the sticky tape.
  • Ask them to build a full circle of straws around the roll.
  • Drop fluffy cotton balls through the top of your straw chimney.
  • See if you can catch the balls as they pop out!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they do not put straws or cotton balls in their mouth.