Let's make it
Instructions.
- 1
Download and print the sheep activity page.
- 2
Laminate the page or slip it inside a clear page protector if you would like to reuse it.
- 3
Place a handful of cotton balls in a small bowl or basket and set a pair of child-safe tongs beside the printable.
- 4
Show your child how to squeeze the tongs, pick up one cotton ball, move it over the sheep, and release it onto a circle.
- 5
Invite your child to place one cotton ball on each circle. Let them use their fingers if they are not ready for tongs yet.
- 6
Remove the cotton balls and begin again, or add washable glue to turn the activity into a permanent craft.
Safety tip
- Always supervise children during this activity. Cotton balls, pom-poms, buttons, and other small materials may not be appropriate for children who still place nonfood objects in their mouths. Choose materials that are appropriately sized for your child and supervise closely.
- Choose child-safe tongs with rounded edges. An adult should handle the laminator and trim any sharp corners before giving the printable to a child.
Field Notes
- Setup takes about 5 minutes.
- Parent tip: If the tongs feel frustrating, let your child use their fingers, try larger cotton balls or white pom-poms, hold the bowl steady, or begin by covering only a few circles.
- Parent tip: Add a challenge by counting each cotton ball, rolling a die to choose how many to add, filling the circles in rows, or taking turns with two sets of tongs.
- Fine motor play with tongs supports hand strength, hand-eye coordination, grasp development, visual-motor skills, focus, and persistence.
