Transferring Practice Golf Balls 4th of July Activity
If you live in the USA, happy Independence Day! Today, I have some Montessori-inspired fun with golf balls and ping pong balls – and with one activity made seasonal for the 4th of July.
Transferring Practice Golf Balls
The activity in the photo uses practice golf balls that are transferred using salad tongs. I added a 4th of July theme easily by using stick-on red and blue stars and color-coordinated containers from the dollar section at Target. Even the tray is a sign purchased from the dollar section and turned upside down.
Salad tongs are quite difficult to coordinate and are typically best for older preschoolers. You can give extra eye-hand coordination practice by having your child help you put the stars on the practice golf balls (or ping pong balls). You could put a red star in the bottom of one container and a blue star in the bottom of a second container, although children ready for this exercise generally won’t need any sorting help.
I typically always had some sort of activity with transferring ping pong balls or golf balls on the practical life shelves as a Montessori teacher and when my children were preschoolers. You can experiment with more than one type of kitchen tongs and can make the activity seasonal if you wish. If you don’t live in the U.S., you can just skip the 4th of July theme for the activity.
Scooping Ping Pong and Golf Balls
Scooping Ping Pong and Golf Balls (Photo by Julie at The Adventures of Bear)
Here’s a fun activity for younger preschoolers – great for any season. In the summer, it could be used indoors or outdoors. The activity in the photo is from The Adventures of Bear and uses golf balls, ping pong balls, and a wire mesh scoop. This activity also has a sinks and floats point of interest.
You’ll find lots of activities for the 4th of July in my roundup post: Montessori-Inspired Patriotic Unit.
Does your child have a favorite activity that uses golf balls or ping pong balls?
I'm Deb Chitwood. My header photo models are my children, Christina, at 1 1/2, my son, Will, at 3, and Christina again at 16. Christina is now 22, and Will is 27. Please see the 
My boys and their love of all things “ball” related would love these activities!!!
Jackie recently posted..Happy Independence Day
Thanks, Jackie! Activities with golf balls and ping pong balls were always popular both in my classroom and in our homeschool.
Deb recently posted..Why I Used Montessori Principles in My Parenting Philosophy
We haven’t worked with thongs in a while. I need ti take them out again.
Thanks for your comment! I typically always had some sort of activity with tongs on the shelf. Using tongs to transfer ping pong balls, golf balls, or pom poms was always popular.
Deb recently posted..Why I Used Montessori Principles in My Parenting Philosophy
stopping by from the hhhop, great post.
tina recently posted..wordless wednesday: summertime
Thanks so much, Tina!
Deb recently posted..Why I Used Montessori Principles in My Parenting Philosophy
Great idea and fun for children! I will always catch up to update. Thanks for keeping in touch through my link.
Thanks for your kind comment, Salvacion!
Deb recently posted..Why I Used Montessori Principles in My Parenting Philosophy
Very cool balls
Have to get me some! And they are pretty cheap manipulative too! 
Thanks for joining us at High paw, Deb!
Michelle Willow recently posted..HIGH PAW – Show us your best!
Thanks, Michelle! I’m a real fan of ping pong balls and golf balls for practical life activities … they’re inexpensive, versatile, and fun!
Deb recently posted..Activity of the Week – Montessori-Inspired Trays for Care of Self
My kids favorite golf ball game is letting it roll around in a box with paint so it creates pretty cool art.
Thanks for your comment, Craftyna. That’s a great idea! Have a wonderful 2012!
Deb recently posted..Top 10 Posts of 2011 on Living Montessori Now