Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Science · The activity desk
Cup telephone messages
Send a quiet message along a short string between two paper cups.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Two clean paper cups, a short length of string, adult scissors, and a tool for making small holes.
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 makes a small hole in each cup bottom, threads the string through both, and knots each end inside a cup. Put tools away.
Adult's role: Handle tools and string, hold one cup, and stay beside the child throughout.
Let's make it happen
- Sit close together and hold the cups so the string is gently taut and away from faces and necks.
- One person speaks softly into a cup while the other holds the open end near an ear.
- Trade turns, then loosen the string and compare what you hear.
Make it simpler: Take turns watching an adult speak and listening with the other cup, or enjoy pretend conversation.
Clean up: The adult removes and stores the string out of children's reach and recycles the cups.
An adult controls the string and never leaves it with children. Keep string away from necks and mouths; use a comfortable speaking volume.