Tight Band Tunnel Clip

Tight Band Tunnel Clip

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Twist 4 to 5 pipe cleaners tightly into small, dense resistance loops. Use masking tape to secure the paper roll upright onto the center of the cardboard base.
  • Secure the loops by clipping them firmly onto the top edge of the paper roll using a few clothespins. Ensure the bands are taut and resistant.
  • Challenge your child to sit stably and hold the cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the work.
  • Pick up a clothespin. Encourage a strong, full squeeze to open it wide.
  • Aim the open clothespin and clip it onto the paper roll, positioning it directly underneath one of the tight pipe cleaner bands. Feel the effort!
  • Repeat the squeezing and clipping until the entire visible surface of the paper roll is covered in colorful clothespins.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners and clothespins are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are collected immediately after play.

Tape-Wrapped Block Unwind

Tape-Wrapped Block Unwind

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Tightly wrap 3 to 4 blocks completely in masking tape. Cover all surfaces of the block.
  • Place the wrapped blocks in the plastic container. Tell your child they are ‘tape monsters’ that need rescuing.
  • Challenge your child to hold the block firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize it.
  • Use the thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to find an edge of the tape strip.
  • Encourage a strong, controlled pull to peel the sticky tape off the block against the resistance.
  • Continue pulling and peeling all the tape until the block is fully unwrapped and rescued! Repeat the challenge.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure children do not put tape or small pieces of material in their mouths. Discard small, crumpled tape pieces immediately after peeling.

Sticky Rice Push-Through

Sticky Rice Push-Through

Steps:

  • Prep the Pucks: Squeeze a small circle of glue onto an Index Card. Sprinkle a thick layer of dry Rice onto the glue and press it down firmly. Let the glue set for 15 minutes until tacky.
  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the Container lid. Secure the lid tightly onto the container with Masking Tape.
  • Tear the Index Card into small squares, making sure each rice/glue spot stays centered on its own small piece.
  • Stabilize: Ask the child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand on the table.
  • Load and Deliver: Pick up one Craft Stick. Use the stick to push the resistant, sticky rice puck straight through the narrow slot. Repeat this until all pucks are delivered!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry rice is a small material and poses a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Foil Sticker Pierce Track

Foil Sticker Pierce Track

Steps:

  • Secure a piece of cardboard firmly inside the bottom of the aluminum foil pan using masking tape. This adds stability.
  • Place 8 to 10 small stickers (like dot stickers) randomly onto the surface of the foil. Use your pincer grasp to peel them.
  • Hold the aluminum foil pan firmly steady with your non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
  • Pick up one craft stick. Hold the stick like a strong pencil in your dominant hand.
  • Aim the tip of the stick directly at a sticker target. Use a strong, controlled push to pierce the sticker and the foil completely.
  • Repeat this forceful piercing action until all the sticker targets have been smashed and pierced through.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small stickers can be a choking hazard for children under five. Craft sticks are not sharp, but controlled pushing is necessary. Ensure the child pushes the stick away from their face and body.

Foil Shape Sticker Sculptures

Foil Shape Sticker Sculptures

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to secure the construction paper vertically onto a wall or sturdy door at your child’s eye level.
  • Tear off small squares of aluminum foil. Encourage your child to use both hands to squeeze and crumple the foil intensely into dense, stiff, 3D shapes.
  • Use masking tape to anchor the stiff foil shapes firmly onto the vertical construction paper, creating a textured sculpture.
  • Peel the stickers or sequins using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Aim the sticky item at the foil surface. Use a firm, controlled press to secure the sticker onto the stiff foil shape, feeling the heavy work input.
  • Continue peeling and pressing items until the foil sculpture is completely covered in colorful texture.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Sequins and small stickers are very small materials and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.