Proprioception

The Floating Balloon Anchor

Steps:

Fill a large bucket halfway with water.
Blow up a balloon and tie it tightly.
Cut a piece of string about one foot long.
Tie one end of the string to the balloon knot.
Tie the other end to a single paper clip.
Place the balloon in the water so it floats.
Ask your child to link more paper clips onto the first one.
Watch as the chain grows longer and heavier.
Keep adding clips until the balloon starts to sink!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during water play. Paper clips and balloons are small parts. They can be a choking hazard. Pick up any popped balloon pieces right away.

The Under-Table Tissue Galaxy

Steps:

Tape a large piece of cardboard to the bottom of a stable surface at home.
Place loops of masking tape across the cardboard with the sticky side facing the floor.
Give your child several colorful squares of tissue paper to hold.
Ask them to lie down on their back under the cardboard.
Show them how to use their fingertips to crumple a paper square into a tight ball.
Challenge them to reach up and press the ball onto the sticky tape.
Keep adding more colors until the whole overhead board is a bright galaxy!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are lying under furniture. Ensure the cardboard is taped securely so it does not fall. Keep all small paper balls away from the mouth to prevent choking.

The Sticky Bottle Bead Roll

Steps:

Take an empty plastic bottle and make sure it is clean and dry.
Wrap a long piece of masking tape around the middle of the bottle.
Make sure the sticky side is facing out toward you.
Secure the ends of the tape with two smaller pieces of tape so it stays in place.
Scatter a handful of colorful beads inside a flat plastic container.
Show your child how to hold the bottle with both hands.
Ask them to roll the bottle over the beads until they stick to the tape.
Once the bottle is decorated, have them use their fingers to peel the beads off one by one.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: This activity uses beads which are small parts. Always supervise your toddler closely. Ensure they do not put beads or tape in their mouth.

The Cardboard Key Turn Challenge

Steps:

Find an empty shoe box and use your markers to draw a small keyhole circle on one side.
Help your child use the scissors to cut a narrow slit right through the center of that circle.
Open the box and press a large lump of playdough firmly against the inside wall behind the hole.
Close the lid and use your markers to decorate a craft stick to look like a colorful magic key.
Ask your child to hold the box steady with one hand while they aim the key into the hole.
Challenge them to push the stick into the playdough and twist it back and forth like a key!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors to cut the cardboard. Make sure the playdough stays inside the box and is not put in the mouth.

Felt Petal Patch Builder

Steps:

Have your child choose two or three colorful sheets of felt to make their garden flowers.
Show your child how to use child-safe scissors to cut the felt into small, three-inch squares.
Ask them to fold each felt square in half.
Snip the corners to create rounded petal shapes.
Encourage your child to squeeze the hole puncher to click a hole in the center of each felt piece.
Roll a large, heavy ball of playdough using both hands.
Press it flat onto a paper plate to make a steady base.
Pick up a pipe cleaner.
Slide the felt petals onto it one by one using pinching fingers.
Push the bottom end of the pipe cleaner deep into the playdough base to plant their finished flower!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child closely during scissor play. Collect any small felt scraps or playdough bits immediately to prevent choking.