What kind of tongs work best?

Use tongs that open easily and can hold one pom-pom without a hard pinch. Oversized kitchen tongs or extra-tiny tweezers make the balancing step harder than it needs to be.

Do the newspaper logs need to be tight?

Yes. If a log is soft or flattening, the pom-poms roll off before your child gets a fair try. Roll it firmly and retape the ends or middle if it starts collapsing.

What can I use instead of newspaper?

Any paper that rolls into a firm tube and can stay taped in place can work, such as packing paper or store circular pages. Skip slick cardboard or tissue paper because the pom-poms will not balance the same way.

Back to library

A preschooler using tongs to place a pom-pom on top of a rolled newspaper log at a table.

Fine motorPlace With ControlIndoor Tabletop

Newspaper Log Tongs Balance.

Roll 1 newspaper log, set out the tongs and a few pom-poms, and play one short row together before stopping.

Give your child tongs and a few pom-poms to balance on rolled newspaper logs, then clear the rows and start again.

Fine motorPlace With ControlIndoor Tabletop

Newspaper Log Tongs Balance.

Give your child tongs and a few pom-poms to balance on rolled newspaper logs, then clear the rows and start again.

Play time

5-10+ min

Age

3-5 years

Energy

Low

Mess

Low

Effort

Medium

Where

Indoor Tabletop

Start here

The recipe.

Medium parent effort

7 things

What you need

3 sheets of newspaper
Masking tape
1 pair of tongs
1 basket of colorful pom-poms
1 flat table
1 adult for setup and direct supervision
1 child

5 min minimum

Setup

Then start the loop

Step 01

At the table, roll each newspaper sheet into a tight long log.

Step 02

Around each log, wrap masking tape around both ends and the middle so the log feels firm instead of squishy.

Step 03

On the flat table, lay the 3 logs parallel with a little space between them so the tongs can lower a pom-pom onto one log without bumping the next.

Step 04

Beside the logs, set the pom-pom basket and tongs within easy reach.

Step 05

At the table, seat your child where all 3 logs are reachable without leaning across the table.

Step 06

Before play starts, tap each log or set 1 pom-pom on top to check that the logs stay in place.

"One fuzzy pom-pom."

The loop

How play unfolds.

Three panels showing a grown-up modeling one pom-pom landing, a child balancing pom-poms with tongs, and the rows being cleared for another round.

1
Land one pom-pom on a log yourself and say, "Can you grab one fuzzy pom-pom and land it on the newspaper log?"
2
Hand over the tongs and let your child place one pom-pom at a time on the logs.
3
Keep going until each log has a row across the top. If one rolls off, return it to the basket and try again.
4
Clear the pom-poms back into the basket and start another round.

01
Land one pom-pom on a log yourself and say, "Can you grab one fuzzy pom-pom and land it on the newspaper log?"
02
Hand over the tongs and let your child place one pom-pom at a time on the logs.
03
Keep going until each log has a row across the top. If one rolls off, return it to the basket and try again.
04
Clear the pom-poms back into the basket and start another round.

Safety Check

Stay close and supervise the whole time.
Pom-poms are a choking hazard. Keep them away from mouths.

Supporting the play

What to say in the moment

Match what you say to what you see.

Prompt ladder

Level 1 (Start)

Pick one pom-pom and give it a soft landing on the log.

Level 2 (Keep going)

Try the next pom-pom right beside the first one.

Level 3 (Stretch)

Fill the middle log with careful drops.

Level 4 (Extend)

Clear the row and build a new row on a different log.

If your child seems...

What you'd see

Focused

What to do

Say

"You are lowering it slowly."

Add

Ask for 1 color name while the pom-pom is already in the tongs.

Extend

Invite your child to choose which log gets the next pom-pom.

Make it easier

Younger end

-Start with only the closest log so your child does not have to reach across the table.
-Put 2 or 3 pom-poms in the basket so the round has a fast finish.
-Choose larger pom-poms first if the basket has mixed sizes.

Make it harder

Older end

+Ask your child to leave a finger-width space between pom-poms.
+Fill one log from left to right without skipping spots.
+Try a quiet round where every pom-pom lands without rolling off.

If it's not working

If you see

If child ignores it

Do 1 quick turn yourself and make a big deal out of the pom-pom staying on top, then offer your child the tongs for the next pom-pom.

If you see

If child misuses it

If your child dumps pom-poms or swipes the logs, slide over only 3 or 4 pom-poms and point to 1 log so the turn has one clear target.

If you see

If child gets frustrated

Move the basket closer, steady the log with your free hand, and coach one slow squeeze-and-lower turn.

Skill spotlight

Place With Control

Careful hand placement

This helps your child slow their hand before a target, which shows up later in using utensils, crayons, small toys, and simple helping tasks.

•Each tong turn gives your child another chance to squeeze, carry, and release with control.
•The rounded logs make accuracy visible, so your child can feel when slower hands work better.
•Clearing the rows and starting again keeps the same fine-motor loop going without changing the rules.

Real-world transfer