Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Art · The activity desk
Breeze and spoon chime
Decorate a wooden spoon and listen as hanging spoons meet in a breeze.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A large wooden spoon, two smooth metal spoons, short lengths of cord, and child-appropriate crayons
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult checks the spoons for sharp edges, then ties the metal spoon handles to the wooden spoon at different points so the bowls hang close together.
Adult's role: Handle the cord and metal spoons throughout. Hold the wooden spoon above the child's reach and keep all ties away from faces and necks.
Let's make it happen
- Use crayons to decorate the wooden spoon before the adult attaches the metal spoons.
- Go together to a safe outdoor spot. An adult holds the wooden spoon steady while a breeze moves the hanging spoons.
- Listen for a soft chime. If the air is still, ask the adult to move the handle gently and notice the sound.
Make it simpler: Listen while an adult gently brings the spoon bowls together; point to the sound or describe it.
Clean up: The adult unties and puts away all cord and spoons, then wipes the wooden spoon clean.
Adult controls the cord and chime at all times; never leave hanging cords within a child's reach. Avoid windy weather that makes the spoons swing sharply.