The Masking Tape Finger Ladder

The Masking Tape Finger Ladder

Steps:

  • Tape a large piece of cardboard vertically to a wall at your child’s eye level.
  • Use a marker to draw two long vertical lines on the cardboard to look like a ladder frame.
  • Cut ten short strips of masking tape using your scissors.
  • Stick the tape strips between the lines to create the ladder rungs.
  • Ask your child to ‘walk’ their index and middle fingers up the ladder like a tiny person.
  • Once they reach the top, have them use their pinching fingers to peel the top rung off.
  • Continue walking and peeling until every rung is in a pile on the floor!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely during play. Ensure they do not put masking tape in their mouth. Make sure the cardboard is secured firmly to the wall.

The Finger Puppet Road Trip

The Finger Puppet Road Trip

Steps:

  • Use scissors to cut a small strip of construction paper, about two inches long.
  • Wrap the paper strip around your child’s index finger to make a cozy ring puppet.
  • Use your markers to draw a silly smiley face on the paper puppet ring.
  • Take a large piece of cardboard and draw a winding, curvy road across it.
  • Place several colorful stickers at different points along the curvy cardboard road.
  • Have your child hold the cardboard flat with their helper hand to keep it steady.
  • Slide the paper puppet onto your child’s index finger of their dominant hand.
  • Ask them to tuck their other three fingers and thumb tightly into their palm.
  • Challenge them to walk their puppet along the road, stopping to press each sticker!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely while they are using scissors to cut the paper strip. Ensure the cardboard has smooth edges to prevent any minor scrapes.

Under-Table Starry Night

Under-Table Starry Night

Steps:

  • Draw many colorful dots across a flat piece of cardboard using your markers.
  • Use a pen to poke a small hole through the center of every dot.
  • Find a stable low table and tape the cardboard to the underside with masking tape.
  • Help your child lie down on their back underneath the table.
  • Hand them a pile of Q-tips to hold in their helper hand.
  • Challenge them to push a Q-tip into every star hole they see above.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the table is stable and the area is clear of hard objects. Always supervise your child while they are lying under the furniture.

Paper Plate Target Disc

Paper Plate Target Disc

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut three circles from a single paper plate. These are your flying discs.
  • Decorate each disc with bright markers to make them easy to see.
  • Place your laundry basket in the middle of a clear floor area.
  • Use masking tape to mark a start line a few feet away from the basket.
  • Have your child stand behind the line and hold a disc with one hand.
  • Show them how to hold the cardboard base steady with their other hand to act as a launch pad.
  • Ask them to use their index finger to flick the paper disc toward the basket.
  • Challenge them to get all three discs inside the basket in a row!
  • Move the start line further back once they become an expert launcher.

Safety Tip:
Always ensure the play area is clear of breakable items before launching your paper discs. Adult supervision is recommended to manage the use of scissors.

The Static Magic Paper Lift

The Static Magic Paper Lift

Steps:

  • Help your child tear the tissue paper into very small, light pieces.
  • Place all the tiny paper bits into a pile on a flat table.
  • Blow up the balloon and tie it tightly for your child.
  • Have your child rub the balloon quickly against their hair.
  • Hold the balloon just above the paper bits and watch them jump up!
  • Challenge your child to move the stuck paper over to an empty bowl.
  • Use your fingers to peel the paper off and start again.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using balloons. Immediately pick up and discard any broken balloon pieces to keep your child safe.