The Pool Noodle Dinner Prep

The Pool Noodle Dinner Prep

Steps:

  • Place a pool noodle on a flat surface like a table or paper plate.
  • Have your child hold the noodle steady with their helper hand.
  • Hand them a plastic safety knife with their other hand.
  • Show them how to move the knife back and forth in a sawing motion.
  • Encourage them to cut the noodle into small food slices.
  • Once they have a pile of slices, they can serve them on a paper plate!

Safety Tip:
Always use a dull plastic safety knife and supervise your child closely to ensure they use a safe sawing motion.

The Cardboard Box Pinball Goal

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 Coffee Filter Raindrop Race

The Coffee Filter Raindrop Race

Steps:

  • Place six baking cups in a circle on a large paper plate.
  • Fill a small bowl with water and add two drops of food coloring.
  • Lay one coffee filter flat across the top of all the baking cups.
  • Ask your child to hold the eyedropper with their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Squeeze the dropper to pick up some of the colored raindrops.
  • Carefully drop water onto the filter right over each cup target.
  • Watch the water soak through and try to fill each cup equally!

Safety Tip:
Food coloring and small cups can be messy. Always watch your child closely to make sure they do not drink the water.

The Fuzzy Pipe Cleaner Bridges

The Fuzzy Pipe Cleaner Bridges

Steps:

  • Tape your piece of cardboard flat on the table so it stays in one place while you play.
  • Use the hole puncher to make two columns of holes down the cardboard, leaving space in the middle.
  • Ask your child to pick up a pipe cleaner and push one end into a hole.
  • Show them how to slide a few colorful beads onto the pipe cleaner one at a time.
  • Help them bend the pipe cleaner and push the other end into a hole on the opposite side.
  • Keep going until you have a row of fuzzy, beaded bridges across your cardboard!

Safety Tip:
Beads and pipe cleaner pieces can be small. Always watch your child closely to make sure they do not put any materials in their mouth.

Baking Cup Hidden Bubble Pops

Baking Cup Hidden Bubble Pops

Steps:

  • Glue five baking cups onto a flat piece of cardboard.
  • Cut five small circles of bubble wrap to fit inside the cups.
  • Place a small dab of glue at the bottom of each cup.
  • Press the bubble wrap circles firmly into the glue.
  • Ask your child to use only their pointer finger to pop the bubbles.
  • Challenge them to use their other hand to hold the cardboard steady.

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