The Cotton Ball Scoop Race

The Cotton Ball Scoop Race

Steps:

  • Place a large bowl filled with cotton balls on a table in front of your child.
  • Set an empty basket a short distance away on the same table.
  • Hand your child a spoon and show them how to scoop up one cotton ball.
  • Encourage them to carry the ‘cloud’ on the spoon without letting it fall.
  • Ask them to drop the cotton ball gently into the empty basket.
  • Challenge them to fill the entire basket as fast as they can!
  • To add a challenge, move the basket further away to encourage longer reaching.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they use the spoon safely. Keep all materials away from the mouth to prevent any risk.

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 Rainbow Ribbon Spool

The Rainbow Ribbon Spool

Steps:

  • Tape the end of three colorful ribbons to the center of a paper roll.
  • Place the paper roll horizontally inside a small basket.
  • Use masking tape to secure the ends of the roll to the basket sides.
  • This allows the roll to spin in place like a spool of thread.
  • Encourage your child to pull a ribbon to unwind it completely.
  • Show them how to use both hands to wind the ribbon back up.
  • They must use their tiny fingers to keep the ribbon tight.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Ribbons and tape are small parts. Always watch your child closely during play.

Cosmic Tissue Bottle Push

Cosmic Tissue Bottle Push

Steps:

  • Adult: Give your child several sheets of colorful tissue paper.
  • Child: Tear the paper into small pieces using both hands.
  • Crumple each piece into a very tight, round ball.
  • Adult: Secure two pipe cleaners over the bottle mouth in an X shape.
  • Use masking tape to hold the pipe cleaners to the bottle sides.
  • Child: Hold the bottle steady with your helper hand.
  • Use your pinching fingers to pick up a paper ball.
  • Push the ball hard through the fuzzy pipe cleaner gate until it drops inside.

Safety Tip:
Tissue paper and pipe cleaners can be a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during play to keep them safe.

The Cardboard Coin Slide

The Cardboard Coin Slide

Steps:

  • Adult: Cut a long, narrow rectangle from your cardboard to make a ramp.
  • Use masking tape to attach a paper cup to a table edge as a goal.
  • Ask your child to hold the top of the ramp with their helper hand.
  • Encourage them to use their other hand to pinch a coin at the top.
  • Aim the bottom of the cardboard ramp toward the paper cup target.
  • Release the coin and watch it slide into the cup!
  • Move the cup to different spots to change the angle and challenge level.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while playing with coins. Coins are a choking hazard. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent scratches.