Turn a wrapping paper tube into a cardboard drop zone fine motor activity for toddlers!
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What do you get when you combine a sturdy cardboard tube and a roll of funk-a-delic Duck Tape? A Cardboard Drop Zone!
Ok before we get started, I have to say that I am in LOVE with colourful, patterned Duck Tape. My younger son got some in his stocking at Christmastime, and well, ummmm, he hasn’t exactly had the chance to use it, because I’ve kind of claimed it as my own.
Supplies:
- coloured duct tape
- wrapping paper tube
Instructions
All you’re going to do is cover your cardboard tube with a few length-wise strips of your Duck Tape. It took 3 strips of tape and about 5 minutes of my time to make this:
Isn’t that snazzy?
I took a couple more pieces of tape, and attached the tube to the side of our art cupboard.
Then I set out a small selection of goodies for the hooligans to drop through the tube and into the basket below.
We use wine corks, coloured craft-sticks and a few building blocks.
Have a look around your toy-room, and you’ll probably come up with plenty more ideas: small plastic animals, pom poms, markers. As long as they’ll fit in to the tube, they’ll work.
Mind you, we had some fun testing things that didn’t fit too!
This was a simple activity to set up, and the 3 year olds enjoyed it as much as the 1 year olds. I think it would be fun to try this outside, in the Spring, when we can attach several tubes to our chain link fence, but this little drop-zone will keep us happy for the few weeks that we have left of winter. 🙂
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
Tara
Would be super fun on the fence if you zigzag them to race cars down!
Marianne
My crew are going to love this! I love it too – no batteries!
auntie K
I love that you have taken an old idea and make it new with the tape! I love to read what you are doing, and bring the ideas to life here at my home daycare too! Thank you for all the fun ‘new; stuff 😉
happyhooligans
Thanks, Auntie K. Gotta love an idea that’s so super-simple too! 🙂 Glad you’re lovin’ our ideas, and trying them with your hooligans! It makes my day when I hear that!
Carrie
Very fun!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
jeanine
perfect! love this idea! getting into clean out the Christmas bins & remaining closet stash: this will bring some fun to our after school activities! Thank you!