Use craft knife to cut a 1-inch circle in the center of the recycled cylindrical food container's plastic lid. Secure lid on container.
To Play Tongs and Pom Pom Activity:
Present container alongside tongs and pom poms. Allow toddler to freely explore the materials.
Demonstrate how to use tongs to pick up and drop a pom pom into the hole in the container. Consider using words like "Squeeze to pick up. Hold while moving. Open to drop!"
Encourage toddler to pick up and drop pom poms into the container. Celebrate with them as they get them in.
Learning Extension:
Prepare additional containers and cover the sides of each one with a different color construction paper. Invite toddler to sort pom poms by color into their matching color containers.