Motor Planning - Page 5 of 42

Floating Feather Fans

Steps:

Lay a long strip of butcher paper on the floor to make your landing runway.
Use masking tape to secure a basket at the very end of the paper.
Have your child lie on their tummy at the start of the runway.
Place a soft feather in front of them on the paper.
Hand your child a straw and ask them to blow air through it.
Challenge them to push the feather forward using only their breath.
If the feather gets stuck, give them a paper plate to use as a fan.
Encourage them to wave the plate to create wind and move the feather.
The goal is to get the feather all the way into the basket!
Repeat the race and see if they can do it faster each time.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child closely while they are lying on the floor. Ensure the room is clear of sharp corners or hard furniture. Keep straws away from eyes and mouth after use.

Balloon Powered Foil Boat

Steps:

Fill your foil pan halfway with cool water.
Place the pan on a flat table.
Take a straw and a balloon from your kit.
Slide the balloon neck over one straw end.
Wrap masking tape around the neck to seal it.
Blow through the straw to fill the balloon.
Pinch the straw shut with your fingers.
Put the straw boat into the pan.
Let go and watch the boat zoom!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children around water and balloons. Broken balloon pieces are a choking hazard for younger children.

The Growing Newspaper Tree

Steps:

Take two large sheets of newspaper and lay them flat on the floor.
Overlap the edges slightly and use a piece of masking tape to hold them together.
Start at one end and roll the newspaper up into a very long, tight tube.
Wrap another piece of tape around the bottom of the tube to keep it from unrolling.
Hold the tube steady with one hand and use your scissors to cut four long slits from the top down to the middle.
Reach into the center of the tube and gently pull the paper upward.
Watch as your tree grows taller and taller as you pull the strips out!
Use your hands to fluff out the paper branches to finish your tree.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors to keep them safe.

Standing Newspaper Foot Crumple Challenge

Steps:

Lay a flat sheet of newspaper on a smooth floor or rug.
Ask your child to stand on one leg next to the paper.
Use the other foot to slowly crinkle and crumple the paper into a ball.
The child must keep their standing foot still the whole time.
Once it is a ball, use the foot to push it into a basket.
Switch legs and try to crumple a new sheet of paper!
Challenge them to do it faster each time they play.

Safety Tip:
Ensure your child is near a wall or a sturdy chair for support if they lose their balance.

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.