Tension Track Ball Glide

Tension Track Ball Glide

Steps:

  • Cut a large rectangle of cardboard for your base.
  • Use markers and a ruler to draw a straight road down the center.
  • Cut a smaller cardboard square to serve as your delivery cart.
  • Use the tip of your scissors to poke two small holes on opposite sides of the cart.
  • Thread a long piece of string through both holes so the cart can slide.
  • Use masking tape to secure the four ends of the strings to the base corners.
  • Balance a ping pong ball on top of the small cart.
  • Pull the strings outward to glide the cart safely to the finish line!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors. Ensure the string is stored away after play to prevent any risk.

The Baking Cup Button Slot

The Baking Cup Button Slot

Steps:

  • First, glue several paper baking cups onto a flat piece of cardboard.
  • Use your scissors to cut a small, narrow slit in the bottom of each cup.
  • Make sure the slit is just a little bit smaller than your buttons.
  • Use markers to draw a different colored circle around the slit in each cup.
  • Ask your child to find a button that matches the color of the circle.
  • Challenge them to use their pinching fingers to squeeze the button through the slit!
  • They should hold the cardboard steady with their other hand while they push.
  • Listen for the soft sound as the button falls through to the board.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play as buttons are a choking hazard. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent scratches.

The Cotton Ball Scoop Race

The Cotton Ball Scoop Race

Steps:

  • Place a large bowl filled with cotton balls on a table in front of your child.
  • Set an empty basket a short distance away on the same table.
  • Hand your child a spoon and show them how to scoop up one cotton ball.
  • Encourage them to carry the ‘cloud’ on the spoon without letting it fall.
  • Ask them to drop the cotton ball gently into the empty basket.
  • Challenge them to fill the entire basket as fast as they can!
  • To add a challenge, move the basket further away to encourage longer reaching.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they use the spoon safely. Keep all materials away from the mouth to prevent any risk.

The Cardboard Box Pinball Goal

The Cardboard Box Pinball Goal

Steps:

  • Open the shoe box and remove the lid to create your play arena.
  • Cut small strips of cardboard from the lid to make bumpers.
  • Tape the bumpers inside the box at different angles using masking tape.
  • Cut a paper straw into three pieces and tape them down as obstacles.
  • Use your markers to draw point values like 10 or 50 on the bumpers.
  • Hold the box with both hands and place the ping pong ball inside.
  • Tilt the box slowly to roll the ball and hit every bumper target!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Ensure the box edges are smooth to prevent any small scratches during play.

The Fuzzy Pipe Cleaner Bridges

The Fuzzy Pipe Cleaner Bridges

Steps:

  • Tape your piece of cardboard flat on the table so it stays in one place while you play.
  • Use the hole puncher to make two columns of holes down the cardboard, leaving space in the middle.
  • Ask your child to pick up a pipe cleaner and push one end into a hole.
  • Show them how to slide a few colorful beads onto the pipe cleaner one at a time.
  • Help them bend the pipe cleaner and push the other end into a hole on the opposite side.
  • Keep going until you have a row of fuzzy, beaded bridges across your cardboard!

Safety Tip:
Beads and pipe cleaner pieces can be small. Always watch your child closely to make sure they do not put any materials in their mouth.