Playtime Pantry
Pom-Pom Drop: the setup, laid out

Pom-Pom Drop

Cardboard tubes taped to the wall, and pom-poms that vanish in at the top.

Ages
15 mo–3 yrs
Play
10–25 min
Prep
5 min
Mess
barely any
Energy
calm
Where
anywhere

You’ll need

Mostly things you probably have at home.

Optional

How to play

  1. Before you start: Tape three or four cardboard tubes to a wall or door at different angles, low enough for them to reach the top one. Put a bowl at the bottom.

  2. Drop one pom-pom in the top and wait. Watch the bowl together.

  3. Hand them the pom-poms and let them post every one.

  4. Ask where it went, and point at the bowl when it lands.

  5. Move one tube so the pom-poms come out somewhere new.

  6. Sort the caught pom-poms by color at the end.

What it helps with

Keep it safe

  • Pom-poms are a choking risk for under-3s. Use large ones and stay within arm's reach.

Make it different next time

  • Use tongs to pick each one up for extra fine motor work.
  • Try other things down the tubes: a toy car, a balled sock.

Cleanup: Leave the tubes up for a day or two. They will come back to it.

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