Make a super simple DIY ribbon pull toy for your toddler — to practice fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and more — using a plain old kitchen colander!
Thread a ribbon through one of the small holes in the colander.
With the ribbon still in the hole, tie a knot at each end, making sure the knots are large enough to keep the ribbon from pulling out of the hole. Double knot, if necessary.
Repeat, threading each remaining piece of ribbon through a different hole in the colander.
Give the DIY Ribbon Pull Toy to your toddler for them to play with and explore.
Notes
Adaptations and Extensions for Learning:
“In” and “Out” — Help your toddler practice the words “in” and “out” while they pull the ribbons back and forth between the inside and outside of the colander.
Ribbon Pull Color Game — Make your colander ribbon toy with ribbons of different colors. Then, with all ribbons pulled inside the colander and the colander placed upside-down, play a learning game by calling out specific colors for your child to find and pull. Or let your toddler lead and choose the ribbons, but ask them what colors they are pulling as they play.
Pull & Count Game — Help your child count each ribbon as they pull. Older kids can even practice counting down while pulling the ribbons back the other way.
Ribbon Pull Measuring Game — Get older kids engaged in some playful math learning by using a ruler to measure and compare the lengths of the ribbons after they pull them. Start with the ribbons pulled inside the colander and the colander placed upside down, then have the kids pull ribbons and measure them. Make it a fun game by seeing who pulls the longest ribbon!