Recipe for Fun!
Playing with pom poms is a fun way to help develop your child's fine motor skills and dexterity, and a great addition to sensory play. The following play activities are quick and easy to set up and give your child multiple opportunities to practice everything from counting and sorting to cause and effect and motor skills.
GUESS HOW MANY?
STEP 1: Pre-fill a clear jar with as many pom poms as you choose (and make sure no one is looking!).
STEP 2: Give each child paper and a pencil.
STEP 3: Pass the jar to each child to inspect and have them guess how many pom poms are in the jar. Instruct them to write down their guess on the paper.
STEP 4: Together, count the pom poms out of the jar and whoever is closest wins! (Advanced Modification: Have the children guess the total number of pom poms by size or by color.)
STEP 5: Let the winner fill the jar for the next round.
SPEEDY SCOOPER
STEP 1: Give each child a bucket or bowl and a scooper or spoon.
STEP 2: Instruct each child to put the scooper or spoon in their non-dominant hand.
STEP 3: Set a timer for 15-30 seconds (or longer depending on the age of the players).
STEP 4: The child that scoops the most pom poms into their bucket before the timer goes off wins!
AIR POM POM RACE
STEP 1: Let the children choose the larger size pom poms, making sure they are a different color from the other players.
STEP 2: Using colored tape, mark off a start and finish line on a smooth floor.
STEP 3: Have the children choose a straw and instruct them to get down on their bellies.
STEP 4: When the race starts, the children have to use the straw to blow their pom poms down to the finish line without touching it or getting up from their bellies.
STEP 5: Extend the race by increasing the number of pom poms they have to blow to the finish line.
STEP 6: Whoever gets all their pom poms to the finish line first wins!
Benefits of Play: Cognitive, Social, Physical, Communication