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Clothespin Feather Match

Steps:

Prepare the ‘Clipping Creature’ by decorating the plastic container with markers.
Use index cards to draw and cut several long strips. These are your colorful ‘feathers.’
Draw small, matching colored dots on the rim of the container and on the ends of the clothespins (e.g., red dot on rim, red dot on pin).
Encourage your child to pinch open a clothespin. Clip a colorful index card feather onto it first.
Challenge them to clip the clothespin onto the container’s rim. The color on the pin must match the color dot on the container.

Safety Tip:
If the child is using scissors during step two, ensure constant adult supervision. Only use child-safe scissors.

Cardboard Punch Art

Steps:

Decorate a small cardboard square using the markers. Draw simple lines or fun shapes on your canvas.
Place the cardboard flat on a sturdy table. Hold it firmly with your helper hand for stability.
Take the hole puncher and aim it at the cardboard. Squeeze hard to punch holes all over the decorated piece.
Try using only your dominant hand to squeeze the puncher. The cardboard provides great resistance!
Gather the pipe cleaners from the container. Curl one end of a pipe cleaner into a loop to create a dull ‘needle.’
Thread the pipe cleaner through the punched holes. Create colorful patterns as you weave in and out.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise this activity closely. Hole punchers can pinch fingers if hands are misplaced. The small cardboard punch-outs and pipe cleaner pieces are small objects. They pose a choking hazard for children under five.

Crumple Pin Bowling

Steps:

Build the ‘Crumple Pins’: Give the child 6 to 10 paper rolls (like toilet paper or paper towel rolls). Encourage them to use both hands to crumple each roll tightly into a dense, firm ‘pin’ shape. Secure each crumpled shape firmly with small pieces of masking tape to ensure they hold their structure.
Set up the Lane: Use masking tape to mark a ‘foul line’ on the floor. Arrange the crumpled pins in a triangle formation 5 to 10 feet away from the line (adjust distance based on space and skill level).
Bowl: Challenge the child to stand behind the line and roll the ball toward the pins, focusing on aiming and grading the force of their roll to knock down as many pins as possible.
Score and Reset: Count how many pins were knocked down. Encourage the child to reset the pins (sequencing and motor planning) before taking their next turn.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the bowling area is clear of furniture, toys, and other trip hazards. Encourage children to reset the pins safely without rushing or running.

Sensory Squeeze Lines

Steps:

Mix Tempera Paint and a tablespoon of dry Rice in a bowl. Use a Spoon to stir until it is a thick, chunky paste that offers some resistance.
Scoop the paint mixture into the bottom corner of a Ziplock Bag. Squeeze all the excess air out and seal the top of the bag tightly.
Place the Construction Paper onto the Cardboard for a firm surface. Use scissors to snip a tiny corner off the Ziplock Bag (this creates the nozzle).
Have your child use their non-dominant hand to hold the top of the bag steady. This provides proximal stability for the working hand.
Encourage them to use their dominant hand to squeeze the bag firmly, pushing the paint out. Challenge them to control the squeeze to make textured lines and shapes.

Safety Tip:
Use non-toxic tempera paint and supervise closely. Due to the small size of the rice grains and the snipped Ziplock bag pieces, constant adult supervision is necessary to prevent choking or ingestion.

Stick Target Launch

Steps:

Set up the launcher: Use masking tape to secure one end of a craft stick firmly onto the top edge of a small box. Leave the majority of the stick sticking out like a lever.
Create the target zone by using masking tape to mark a square or circle on the construction paper. Place the paper a short distance from the launch box.
Load the launcher by placing a pom-pom near the free end of the craft stick. Use a precise pincer grasp to place it gently.
Ask your child to hold the box steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to provide stability for the launch.
Challenge them to use their dominant hand’s index finger to flick the end of the craft stick, aiming to launch the pom-pom onto the target.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise this activity closely. Pom-poms are small and pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure all small pieces are collected after play.