Exploring tools

Playing with a variety of real tools gives children a sense of accomplishment and a desire for constructing, building, engineering and creating.  It also helps children build self-confidence, encourages independent learning and promote awareness of as a consequence of misusing the tools. 

Play Activity

Painting with tools is a great way to become familiar with tools and explore different shapes, color mixing and prints made by various tools. 

Sample Materials

  • Various washable colors of paint 
  • Paper 
  • Nuts, bolts and screws 
  • Screwdrivers, hammers and wrench 
  • Kitchen utensils 
paint tools
paint tools

Play Challenge

Squirrels are nimble, bushy-tailed rodents that can be found in your backyard, around parks or running across the fence!  Squirrels are always on the move to find food.  What household and recycled items can you use to build a squirrel picnic table or bench so that they have a place to eat and hang out? Remember not to feed the squirrels. They have enough natural food which is better for them.

Sample Materials

  • Scrap wood pieces
  • Jenga blocks 
  • Play blocks
  • Popsicle sticks 
  • Glue
  • Tape 
  • Nails
  • Safety glasses 
  • Small hammer 
squirrel table
squirrel table
squirrel table
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