Lately I have been focusing on creating crafts and activities with items you might already have in your own home or you can purchase inexpensively at your local retail store. Lightweight, uncoated regular paper plates are great to have around and can be used for a myriad of activities, projects, and crafts. The following ring toss activity is one such example of how to turn the humble paper plate into a fun game.
Here is what you need:
- Paper plate
- Scissors
- Markers, crayons, or paint
- Tape
- Pencil
- Paper towel tube
Take two paper plates and put them together. Trace a circle around the edge of the center of one of the plates. Fold the paper plates in half and snip from the edge and cut out a circle from the middle of the plates.
Place the paper rings in front of you with the bottom facing up. Using crayons, paint or markers decorate them.
When the plates are decorated it is time to create a ring. Place the two plates together so that the curved decorated side is facing out. Tape the edges of the plates together.
To create the ring toss stand, place a paper towel tube upright in middle of plate. Trace around the paper towel tube to make a circle. The paper towel tube should fit through this circle.
Folding the paper plate in half cut out the center circle
Cut small flaps in bottom of paper towel tube, approximately 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide.
Lightly fan out the flaps and tape down in middle of another paper plate.
Slide the plate with the cut out of the circle down the paper tube to complete ring toss base. Secure the edges of the plates with some tape.
Toss paper plate rings toward the base, trying to land the plates around the paper towel tube!
Not only is this game fun, it has some other benefits as well. “Ring Toss” is a great activity for the development of motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It is also an opportunity for children to experiment with trajectory and how gravity affects moving objects. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to work on social skills, like collaboration and taking turns.
For more ideas on games you can create at home for your children, check out this list.