Pom pom rescue and sort
Rescue pom poms from a taped “spiderweb” and sort them into a muffin tray for an easy setup fine motor challenge.
This play invitation combines the excitement of a rescue mission with the satisfaction of sorting. Using a cake tin (laundry basket, or other container), criss-cross strips of tape over the top like a spiderweb and trap pom poms inside.
Children use tongs or fingers to carefully pull each pom pom through the web, strengthening fine motor skills as they go.
Once freed, the pom poms can be sorted into a muffin tray - by colour, size, or however your child chooses. This may also evolve into pretend play (e.g. baking or shop)
It’s a simple setup with so many learning benefits: hand-eye coordination, patience, problem-solving, and early maths concepts. Plus, the challenge of freeing the pom poms makes it feel like a mini adventure!
Materials
Prep
Step 1:
Place pom poms in the cake tin.
Step 2:
Stick tape strips across the top in different directions to make a “spiderweb.”
Step 3:
Place a muffin tray nearby for sorting.
Step 4:
Add tongs if you’d like to increase the fine motor challenge.
Play
Step 1:
Invite your child to rescue the pom poms by carefully pulling them through the taped web.
Step 2:
Place the rescued pom poms into the muffin tray.
Step 3:
Sort them by colour, size, or pattern.
Step 4:
Keep going until the tin is empty and the pom poms are all neatly sorted.
Extend
Add some maths: Count each pom pom as you rescue it, or practice simple addition as you sort.
Blindfold Rescue: Older kids can try rescuing pom poms with their eyes closed, using only touch.
Colour Dice Game: Roll a colour dice (or a normal dice with colours stuck on) to see which colour pom pom you’re “allowed” to rescue next. You can use the blank template of our for this one.
Bakery Pretend Play: Pretend the muffin tray is a cupcake tray. Once pom poms are sorted, they become colourful “cupcakes” to decorate and “sell.”
Superhero Story: Pretend the pom poms are trapped “treasures” or “baby creatures” that need saving, and give your child a superhero mission.
Challenge Upgrade: Add more tape strips to make the spiderweb tighter, or cross them at trickier angles.
