POM POM DROP

child dropping pom poms in cardboard tubes taped to the wall

It’s actually quite surprising how many uses empty toilet paper and paper towel tubes have. A quick Google search had me like, woah! Our new favorite way to use them is this very simple pom pom drop. Besides the cost of the toilet paper and paper towels, I only spent $1 on the pom poms from the dollar store. $1 for endless fun and fine motor skill development? Yes please!

smiling child sitting by pom poms and tubes taped to the wall

THE MATERIALS

// this is a ‘supervision required’ activity //

  • 3-5 empty toilet paper or paper towel tubes
  • Masking or painter’s tape
  • Small pom poms (could also use cotton balls)

cardboard tubes taped to the wall with pom poms on the floor below

THE PROCESS

  1. Make sure the cardboard tubes are clean - remove any stuck on paper from them.

  2. Use long pieces of tape to secure the tubes to the wall. We started with them higher up so my daughter could stand while playing but eventually she just wanted to sit down and play so I moved them lower.

    child sitting by pom poms and cardboard tubes taped to the wall

  3. Demonstrate how to drop pom poms through the tubes and let your child explore! My daughter is mostly out of the put-everything-in-your-mouth phase but I caught her a trying to take a nibble a few times. Be careful with that one!

    child sitting by pom poms and cardboard tubes taped to the wall

  4. After about 10-15 mintues, the tubes were being ripped off the wall (to be expected) but I let it happen and we practiced dropping pom poms through tubes we were holding!

    child dropping pom poms through tube being held in their hands

  5. There you have it - the simple pom pom drop!

    child's foot by pom poms and cardboard tubes taped to the wall

  6. Explore the many things you can do with those empty tubes afterwards (if they haven’t been smashed too badly)! Most importantly, have fun with your baby!