Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Science · The activity desk
Paper ball tray maze
Tilt a tray to guide a large paper ball around two barriers.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A large shallow unbreakable tray, three full sheets of paper, and tape.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Let's make it happen
- Crumple one full sheet into one large ball. Adult folds the other two sheets into thick strips and tapes them partway across the tray, one from each side, leaving gaps wide enough for the ball.
- Put the ball at one end of the tray and hold the tray together.
- Tilt slowly to guide the ball through each gap to the other end. Change the tilt and notice how the ball moves.
For ages 4 and up with an adult. Adult handles tape, stays beside the child, and keeps paper away from mouths. Use a large ball that cannot fit in the child's mouth; collect torn paper after play.