Skill: Visual Motor

How the eyes and hands work together as a team. This is essential for tasks where movement is guided by vision, like catching a ball, cutting on a line, or staying within the lines when coloring.

The Paper Roll Marble Plunge

The Paper Roll Marble Plunge

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw three small ‘X’ marks on the side of your long paper roll.
  • Have an adult help you poke a small hole through each ‘X’ mark using a pencil tip.
  • Push one craft stick through each hole so it stretches all the way across the inside of the tube.
  • Wrap a piece of masking tape over the bottom of the paper roll to seal it shut tightly.
  • Stand the roll upright inside a plastic container and drop five marbles into the top of the tube.
  • Slowly pull the bottom craft stick out and listen for the marbles to drop to the next level.
  • Remove the remaining sticks one by one until all the marbles are resting on the bottom tape.
  • Peel the tape away to let the marbles plunge into the container for a grand finale!

Safety Tip:
Marbles are a major choking hazard. This activity is for school-age children, but always keep marbles away from younger siblings.

The Silly String Bag Stylist

The Silly String Bag Stylist

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw a big, funny face on the front of your Ziplock bag.
  • Open the bag and stuff it with several pieces of colorful yarn to look like wild hair.
  • Lay the bag flat on a table and secure the four corners with several pieces of masking tape.
  • Ask your child to use their pointer finger to push the yarn strands around inside the sealed bag.
  • Challenge them to move the yarn to give the character long bangs, a beard, or even silly eyebrows!
  • Style the hair in different ways to see how many funny looks you can create together!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure the bag stays sealed and they do not put yarn in their mouth.

The Feather Balance Path

The Feather Balance Path

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to make a long line on the floor.
  • Ask your child to stand at one end of the path.
  • Have them hold their hand out flat like a tray.
  • Place a soft feather on the back of their hand.
  • Challenge them to walk slowly along the line to the finish.
  • If the feather falls, just stop and put it back on!

Safety Tip:
Clear any toys near the tape path to prevent trips while your child is focusing.

The Shaving Cream Marble Maze

The Shaving Cream Marble Maze

Steps:

  • Fill a Ziplock bag with shaving cream and a little food coloring.
  • Seal the bag and squish it to mix the color.
  • Place a marble inside the bag and seal it again.
  • Use a marker to draw a winding path on the bag.
  • Tape the bag flat to the table with masking tape.
  • Use your index finger to push the marble along the path.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Marbles are a significant choking hazard. Ensure the Ziplock bag is sealed tightly to avoid leaks.

The Sticky Plate Ball Maze

The Sticky Plate Ball Maze

Steps:

  • Place your paper plate on a flat table.
  • Cut three short pieces of yarn using your scissors.
  • Lay the yarn across the plate to make a winding path.
  • Use small pieces of masking tape to hold the yarn down.
  • Place extra strips of tape across the plate with the sticky side facing up.
  • Put the ping pong ball at the start of the path.
  • Give your child a spoon to hold.
  • Ask them to push the ball along the path without touching the sticky tape.
  • Challenge them to get to the finish line!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put the ping pong ball or masking tape in their mouth.