The Ribbon Twirl Spinner

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.

Post-It Path Finder

Post-It Path Finder

Steps:

  • Place a long strip of masking tape on a clear floor area to create a straight ‘tightrope’ path.
  • Stick several colorful Post-Its on the wall at your child’s eye level along the length of the tape path.
  • Ask your child to stand at the start of the tape line and hold a single block with both hands.
  • Challenge your child to walk slowly along the tape line without letting their feet step off the sticky path.
  • While they are walking, call out a color that matches one of the Post-Its on the wall.
  • Your child must find the matching color with their eyes and point to it with one hand without stopping their walk.
  • Repeat the process until they reach the end of the line, calling out different colors as they go.

Safety Tip:
Always ensure the floor is clear of toys and that the walking path is a safe distance away from sharp furniture corners.

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 Button Logic Grid

The Button Logic Grid

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw a three-by-three grid on the cardboard.
  • Collect nine buttons in three different colors from your container.
  • You will need three red, three blue, and three yellow ones.
  • Explain that each color only goes once in every row.
  • Each color also only goes once in every column.
  • Place one button in a corner to start the game.
  • Ask your child to place the rest of the buttons.
  • Encourage them to check their work for any double colors.
  • Check the final work together to see if it is correct!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Buttons are a choking hazard for younger siblings.

The Coffee Filter Raindrop Race

The Coffee Filter Raindrop Race

Steps:

  • Place six baking cups in a circle on a large paper plate.
  • Fill a small bowl with water and add two drops of food coloring.
  • Lay one coffee filter flat across the top of all the baking cups.
  • Ask your child to hold the eyedropper with their thumb and pointer finger.
  • Squeeze the dropper to pick up some of the colored raindrops.
  • Carefully drop water onto the filter right over each cup target.
  • Watch the water soak through and try to fill each cup equally!

Safety Tip:
Food coloring and small cups can be messy. Always watch your child closely to make sure they do not drink the water.