Looking for an easy indoor activity for kids? This activity uses pom pom balls, paper tubes, and painter’s tape for a STEM-based project. In this post, you’ll find a supply list, information on how to create a pom pom ramp, and a closer look at why this indoor activity is wonderful for kids.
What is a pom pom ramp?
The Pom Pom tube ramp is absolutely one of the best indoor activities for kids – and it’s also one of the most fun to make.
How do I know it’s a great activity?
It’s an activity that’s been around for years (thanks Toddler Approved – I always think of you when I think of this activity) and I even did one years ago too. The pom pom ramp has been a staple of activity life for decades – which means you know it’s good.
RELATED: Looking for more easy indoor activities? Check out my favorite list of activities.
Looking for more structure each day?
Check out Playing Preschool: Busy Toddler’s 190-day at-home activities program
Why is this a great indoor activity?
Great activities don’t have to cost lots of money. They just need to be:
- Simple
- Engaging
- Active
- Child-led
Remember, the activity is supposed to be about the child not the activity: we want the activity to be totally driven by the kids. It doesn’t matter how cutesy or cool looking an activity is. If it doesn’t grab the child’s attention and be totally engaging for them, it all falls apart.
The Pom Pom Tube Ramp does it all. It’s simple, it’s engaging, it’s active, and it’s child-led.
RELATED: Do you have a toddler at home? Check out this list of the best activities for toddlers.
Materials
Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
- Paper tubes
- Painter’s tape
- Pom pom balls
It’s not a lengthy supply list, but make sure you’re always saving your paper tubes. Something about those little cylinder gems are just perfect for kid activities. Having a spot to save them will pay off. Trust me.
How do you set up the pom pom tube ramp?
It’s so so easy to set up this activity – start saving your paper tubes!
I taped the tubes to the wall using Painter’s Tape – which is wall safe – and added bowls under the ends of the ramp to catch the tubes.
The pom pom balls are the heroes here! They roll so perfectly through the tubes.
Why kids love this indoor activity
Making this for my 3-year-old was a joy.
He loved this so much that a week later and this project is still taped to my dining room wall. I’m not sure when we will take it down – we really love it so much.
It was such a fun activity to put together for him and something that he goes back and forth to all day long.
Anytime I can get my son to play with a toy independently is a good day – I’m not ready to give up this activity yet.
The last time I made a pom pom tube ramp activity was more than 4 years ago for my oldest… and now here we are making it again for my youngest. It was such a big moment for me to see this activity up again on my wall…
Skills kids learn from the pom pom ramp
We don’t need to justify play with learning. Play is learning. But it’s fun to know what kids are working on and growing when they’re doing their job (play).
In the pom pom ramp activity, kids are working on so many important skills.
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Hand-eye coordination
- Motor planning
- Self-control
- STEM knowledge
This activity is fun. It’s always a serious learning moment for kids and that is just the coolest.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.3 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
Subscribe to my free newsletter and I’ll send you “35 Easy Toddler Activities to Break Up the Day!”
Chase says
This was really fun for my 5 and 2 year old. The 5 year old enjoyed helping design the tracks. We cut some tubes to make ramps too! Thanks!
Joanna Rogers says
I ordered the electroninc 190 days of publishing and was wondering when I will receive it?
busytoddler says
Hi Joanna,
That should have been emailed to you a few different ways right at checkout. Email me at susie@busytoddler.com and we’ll figure out what went wrong. Best!