Activity with keiki to help with patterning, fine motor skills, and art exploration.
What You Need:
- Large paper bags
- Newspaper
- Stapler
- Paints or markers
- Glue
- 6 strips of colored streamers or tissue paper, cut into 24” strips
What To Do:
- Cut two large matching cloud shapes out of the paper bags. Staple them together, stapling about 2” apart along all the edges, but leave a 10” opening on the bottom for stuffing.
- As your child does the following steps, talk about the order of the steps by using words like “first,” “second,” “next,” “last,” etc.
- Have your child paint or draw on both sides of the stapled cloud.
- Show him how to tear the newspaper and crumple it into balls.
- Have him stuff the cloud shape with the crumpled paper balls until it’s full.
- Help your child staple the bottom of the cloud shut.
- Have your child glue the streamers one at a time onto the bottom of the cloud. Talk about the colors as he glues them.
Make tummy time more engaging by creating contrasting cards for your child to explore.
What You Need:
- Soft blanket or towel
- White colored card stock or construction paper
- Black marker
- Scissors (for adult use only)
What To Do:
- Take a card stock paper and fold it into fourths by folding it in half and then folding it in half once more. Cut along the lines to create four cards.
- Using the black marker, draw simple shapes or thick lines to create a design. Create a different design on each card. Make the designs simple but large enough to fill the whole card.
- Place your baby on a soft blanket or towel for tummy time and place the card on the floor near her line of vision. Watch her gaze at the card, talk about the designs, and change the cards as she starts to lose interest.
- For a different experience, add a rolled up towel under your infant’s torso so she is inclined. Be sure your baby’s neck muscles are strong enough to do this activity. Place the cards against the wall and draw her interest by encouraging her to gaze at each card.
Make your own box car and have your child race around the house.
What You Need:
- A sturdy cardboard box big enough for your child to sit in or a laundry basket
- A pillow
What To Do:
- When your child can sit up on her own, place her in the box or laundry basket and show her how to hold on to the sides.
- Prop her up with a small pillow behind her back.
- Gently push her around the room.
- Talk about where you’re going. Make car sounds as you go.
Variation:
- Securely attach a piece of rope or a belt to the box or laundry basket and gently pull it with your child riding in it. Be careful that the box or basket does not tip backwards as you pull it.
- When she can walk, have your child put some of her stuffed animals or toys in the box car and push or pull it around. Ask her where she and her friends are going.
A yummy breakfast or snack treat
What You Need:
- 1 Granny Smith Apple
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter (or any type of spread)
- 2-1/2 Tablespoons golden or black raisins
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons dried sweetened cranberries
What To Do:
- Cut apple into four quarters, and remove the core.
- Together, spread peanut butter onto the apple quarters.
- Mix together the raisins and cranberries and sprinkle this on top of the peanut butter.
- Enjoy! This makes a good breakfast or snack treat.
Adapted from
Fruits & Veggies More Matters
