Paper Cup Balance Track

Paper Cup Balance Track

Steps:

  • Line up six paper cups upside down in a row on a flat table.
  • Use masking tape to secure each cup base to the table so they do not move.
  • Use a bright marker to draw a simple line across the top of all the cups to create a path.
  • Place a ping pong ball on the first cup in the line.
  • Hand your child a spoon and ask them to hold it with their dominant hand.
  • Challenge them to use the spoon to gently push the ball along the marker path from one cup to the next.
  • See if they can reach the final cup without the ball falling off the track!
  • If the ball falls, have them pick it up using their pincer fingers and start again.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they use the spoon and ball safely.

Bottle Galaxy Weaver

Bottle Galaxy Weaver

Steps:

  • Wash and dry an empty plastic bottle.
  • Remove the label so you can see inside clearly.
  • Use a hole puncher to make six holes around the top of the bottle.
  • Punch six more holes near the bottom of the bottle.
  • Cut several pieces of yarn into long strips.
  • Tie a bead to one end of a yarn piece to act as a star.
  • Thread the yarn through a top hole and pull it across to a bottom hole.
  • Add more beads as you weave through different holes.
  • Crumple small strips of index cards and push them into the bottle first to act as planets.
  • Challenge your child to weave the yarn so the stars rest on the planets.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children when using a hole puncher. Beads are a choking hazard. Keep them away from younger siblings.

Paper Plate Target Disc

Paper Plate Target Disc

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut three circles from a single paper plate. These are your flying discs.
  • Decorate each disc with bright markers to make them easy to see.
  • Place your laundry basket in the middle of a clear floor area.
  • Use masking tape to mark a start line a few feet away from the basket.
  • Have your child stand behind the line and hold a disc with one hand.
  • Show them how to hold the cardboard base steady with their other hand to act as a launch pad.
  • Ask them to use their index finger to flick the paper disc toward the basket.
  • Challenge them to get all three discs inside the basket in a row!
  • Move the start line further back once they become an expert launcher.

Safety Tip:
Always ensure the play area is clear of breakable items before launching your paper discs. Adult supervision is recommended to manage the use of scissors.

Newspaper Ring Launchers

Newspaper Ring Launchers

Steps:

  • Help your child roll a single sheet of newspaper diagonally into a tight, long tube.
  • Wrap masking tape around the top, middle, and bottom to keep the paper firm.
  • Cut a large circle out of the center of a cardboard piece for a target.
  • Use ribbon to hang the cardboard ring from a stable doorway or chair.
  • Mark a throw line on the floor with tape a few feet away.
  • Challenge your child to throw their newspaper tube through the center of the ring.
  • Move the line further back to make the game harder as they improve.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to ensure the child throws safely and the area is clear of breakable items.

The Space Station Balloon Squeeze

The Space Station Balloon Squeeze

Steps:

  • Blow up a balloon and tie it securely.
  • Place two large boxes on the floor about six inches apart.
  • Tell your child the balloon is a spaceship that needs to go through the narrow space station.
  • Ask them to push the balloon through the gap using only their elbows.
  • Once they succeed, move the boxes slightly closer together to make it harder.
  • Challenge them to push the balloon through using a slow-motion crawl.
  • Next, have them try to pull the balloon back through the gap using their feet!
  • This helps them learn how much pressure is needed to move the balloon.
  • Repeat the maze three times and cheer for every successful mission!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is always required when playing with balloons. If a balloon pops, pick up the broken pieces immediately to keep your child safe.