Visual Perception

The Fuzzy Felt Sorting Nest

Steps:

Use scissors to cut your colorful felt sheets into small, one-inch squares.
Use your markers to color the bottom of each cup in the egg carton a different color.
Place all the colorful felt squares into a pile on the table next to the egg carton.
Hand your child the tweezers and show them how to squeeze them with their thumb and pointer finger.
Challenge your child to pick up one felt square at a time using the tweezers.
Ask them to place the felt square into the egg carton cup that matches its color!
Repeat this playful process until all the felt pieces are sorted into their matching nests.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors or handling small tweezers.

The Cardboard Paddle Balance Walk

Steps:

Cut a piece of cardboard into a square shape, about the size of a book.
Use masking tape to mark a start and finish line on the floor.
Place a ping pong ball in the center of the cardboard paddle.
Ask your child to hold the paddle with both hands at first.
Challenge them to walk from the start line to the finish line without the ball falling.
Once they are experts, have them try holding the paddle with only one hand!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child during the activity to prevent any trips or falls on the floor.

The Cardboard Compass Navigator

Steps:

Use your scissors to cut a large square out of cardboard for your map base.
Draw a colorful landscape with markers including a river and a forest.
Glue a craft stick at each edge of the board and label them North, South, East, and West.
Use a pencil to poke a tiny hole right in the center of your map.
Thread a piece of string through one button and then through the hole in the cardboard.
Tie a thick knot on the back of the board so the button stays attached.
Ask your child to rest their palm on the cardboard without lifting it.
They must use their thumb and index finger to slide the button to different targets.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors or small buttons.

The Balancing Cardboard Bird

Steps:

Draw a large bird shape on a piece of cardboard with your markers.
Make sure the bird has wide wings that curve forward past the beak.
Use your scissors to carefully cut the bird shape out of the cardboard.
Place one coin on the very front tip of each bird wing.
Use masking tape to secure the coins firmly to the cardboard wings.
Hold the bird by the body and rest the beak on your fingertip.
Watch as the bird balances perfectly in the air without falling!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when using scissors. Coins are a choking hazard, so keep them away from younger siblings who might put things in their mouths.

The Ribbon Twirl Spinner

Steps:

Use the pencil to carefully poke a hole right in the center of the paper plate.
Push the pencil through the hole until the plate is near the eraser end.
Use several small pieces of masking tape to secure the plate to the pencil so it doesn’t wobble.
Cut four or five long strips of colorful ribbon using your scissors.
Tape one end of each ribbon strip to the edge of the paper plate.
Have your child hold the pencil handle with one hand while using their other hand to spin the plate.
Watch as the ribbons wrap around the pencil like a colorful twister!
Challenge them to spin it the other way to unwrap the ribbons.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors or a pencil to ensure they stay safe.