Zigzag Beam Clip Challenge

Zigzag Beam Clip Challenge

Steps:

  • Lay out three long strips of cardboard in a zigzag line on the floor.
  • Use masking tape to stick the cardboard firmly to the ground.
  • Use markers to draw five small circles along the cardboard path.
  • Place a paper cup at the very end of the line.
  • Fill a plastic container with colorful pom-poms and place it at the start.
  • Give your child a handful of paper clips to hold in one hand.
  • Ask your child to walk slowly along the cardboard beam.
  • As they walk, they must place one pom-pom inside each drawn circle.
  • While standing on the beam, they must use pincer fingers to slide a paper clip onto the paper cup.
  • If they step off the cardboard, they have to go back to the start!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the floor area is clear of other toys to prevent tripping. Make sure the cardboard is taped flat so it is not slippery.

The Drawbridge Pulley Master

The Drawbridge Pulley Master

Steps:

  • Get a small cardboard box and cut a rectangular door on one side.
  • Leave the bottom of the door attached so it flips down.
  • Poke two small holes at the top of the door.
  • Poke two more holes near the top of the box frame.
  • Thread a piece of yarn through the door and the box.
  • Tape a paper roll horizontally to the top of the box.
  • Tie the yarn ends to the paper roll.
  • Ask your child to twist the roll to lift the door.
  • Use a paper clip to clip the yarn to the box.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required for using scissors to cut the cardboard. Ensure the yarn is stored safely after play to prevent any entanglement risks.

The Rainbow Tissue Windmill

The Rainbow Tissue Windmill

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut two straws into four-inch lengths.
  • Lay the straws across each other to form a perfect X shape.
  • Place a small piece of masking tape in the center to hold them.
  • Cut four small squares of colorful tissue paper using your scissors.
  • Tape one tissue square to the very end of each straw arm.
  • Use the pencil tip to poke a hole through the center tape.
  • Push a pipe cleaner through the hole you made.
  • Slide one bead onto the pipe cleaner on each side of the straws.
  • Wrap one end of the pipe cleaner around a pencil to make a handle.
  • Twist the other end into a small loop to keep everything in place.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors and the pencil to poke holes. Ensure the beads are handled carefully.

The Upright Clip Fence

The Upright Clip Fence

Steps:

  • First, cut a rectangular piece of cardboard to use as your sturdy base.
  • Lay a long strip of masking tape across the cardboard with the sticky side up.
  • Secure the ends of the tape so the strip stays perfectly flat.
  • Use your markers to draw a winding path directly onto the sticky tape.
  • Hand your child the tweezers and a pile of colorful paper clips.
  • Challenge them to pick up a clip and press its narrow edge onto the tape.
  • They should follow the marker line until the path is covered with standing clips.
  • Once finished, they can use their fingers to pluck the clips off.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small paper clips are a choking hazard, so keep them away from younger siblings.

The Growing Newspaper Tree

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.