Seasonal Poppers

Work on hand strength, manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, spatial relations, using both hands in a coordinated manner, visual tracking, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the package: 1 seasonal popper, 6 hard foam balls (there are 4 separate sets shown above)

Poppers also come in seasonal characters!  Load a ball into the popper's mouth. Then set up a target, aim, and squeeze the popper's belly to launch the ball.  Balls can travel up to about 20 feet, depending on how hard you squeeze.  The plastic is stiff and it will take some hand strength and two hands to put the ball into the mouth and to squeeze. Those with very weak hands will have difficulty.  There are a number of different animals and characters to choose from. I have found a slightly smaller version of this popper at Target during the holidays. Same company, although the balls from those are just a little bit smaller than these and there are four balls instead of six.

Try this:

• Make up your own holiday games - How many can you lodge in the Christmas tree? Bounce them off a wall into a wrapped Christmas gift box. Can you knock over a plush snowman? As always... safety first.

• Measure the distance you can pop the ball.  Go again and see if you can beat your distance.
• Make a large round target and tape it to the door. Divide the circle into several sections (like a bullseye) and assign points to the sections. Aim for the middle, and give points for wherever the ball hits. Play again and try to beat your score by getting closer and closer to the middle on most balls.
• Set up small targets and see if you can knock them over.
• Take the popper outside and aim for targets where you won't accidentally hit and break something (keep away from dogs or animals who might chew and/or swallow them).
• Set up targets on a level plane at equal distances, then a variety of elevated planes at equal distances, then at different distances.
• Set up buckets at different distances and aim to get them into the buckets.
• Hang (or hold up) a hula hoop and see how far back you can stand and still pop them through the hoop.
• Set up empty pop cans on the picnic table or ledge and see how many you can knock over.
• Make a game out of picking up the balls that fly astray (there will probably be lots) to make it seem less like work and more like fun. For instance give a point for each ball collected.

 If you are interested in purchasing a popper or just want more information, click on the image below.