Proximal Stability - Page 6 of 44

Sticky Balloon Treasure Peel

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie it securely.
Wrap several strips of masking tape around the balloon.
Make sure the sticky side faces outward.
Press several cotton balls onto the sticky tape.
Ask your child to hold the balloon with their helper hand.
Have them use their other hand to peel the cotton balls off.
Drop the rescued cotton balls into a basket.

Safety Tip:
Balloons and broken pieces are a serious choking hazard. Always watch your child and pick up popped pieces right away.

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.

The Vertical Bead Zip-Line

Steps:

Tape a large piece of cardboard vertically onto a wall.
Cut the paper roll into three small rings using scissors.
Tape the rings onto the cardboard in a vertical zigzag pattern.
Thread a long piece of yarn through all three rings.
Tape the top and bottom of the yarn to the cardboard.
Slide one large bead onto the yarn before taping the bottom.
Give your child a pipe cleaner to use as a poker.
Ask them to push the bead up through each ring.
Use the helper hand to keep the cardboard steady.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the cardboard is taped securely to the wall to prevent it from falling during play.

Baking Cup Tightrope Balance

Steps:

Place two large, heavy boxes about two feet apart on the floor.
Use masking tape to secure a long piece of yarn between the two boxes.
Make sure the yarn is very taut and about six inches off the ground.
Give your child a stack of colorful paper baking cups.
Show them how to turn a cup upside down and rest the center on the yarn.
Challenge them to place five cups in a row without any of them tipping over!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure the yarn is used safely and boxes are stable.

The Newspaper Crane Challenge

Steps:

Help your child roll a large sheet of newspaper into a tight, long rod.
Use several pieces of masking tape to keep the paper rod from unrolling.
Tape a small box firmly to one end of the long newspaper rod.
Scatter several small blocks on the floor in front of your child.
Ask your child to hold the handle end of the rod with both hands.
Challenge them to reach out and use the box to scoop up one block.
Have them lift the block and carry it to a target box on the floor.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the play area is clear of sharp furniture while your child moves the long rod.