14 Fun and Playful Fine Motor Activities
Having spent a lot of time in Kindergarten classrooms, I’ve seen some interesting pencil grips.
And kids unable to use scissors. Kids unable to unscrew lids. And it all just makes me very, very sad.
Wow, Shannon. What a depressing way to open a post.
Why are these kids unable to perform these skills? Because they lack the hand strength.
They need more time, space and activities to develop their fine motor skills.
If you need some fun and playful ideas for fine motor activities for your littles, I’ve got your back!
Below are 14 creative ideas from some of my teacher mum friends. Together we contributed to the Happy Hands eBook.
Baby Doll Haircuts – @playfullittlelearners
Got an Edward Scissorhands at your place?
Tape some strips of paper to a doll’s head and let your little Scissorhands give the doll a “haircut.”
Open-ended Construction – @storiesofplay
Look at how those little hands are manipulating the materials to construct!
Present a variety of loose parts to your mini maker and see what happens.
Design Your Own Play Dough
Play dough and all of the squishing and rolling and pinching is perfect for fine motor development.
Check out my tips for little ones to design their own play dough!
Posting Toothpicks – @littlelifelonglearners
Such a simple way to explore fine motor skills. This activity could be easily adapted in so many ways!
Think posting counters into slots or coins into money boxes!
Threading – @the_paige_diaries
Threading is a great precursor to sewing!
Great for fine motor AND hand-eye development.
I have some free printable threading cards here- sure, they may be Christmas themed. Who says Christmas can’t be celebrated all year round?
Developing Scissor Skills
I wrote this post about fun, creative ways to develop scissor skills.
Playing with Pegs – @playful_wren
I love this idea so much as it demonstrates that fine motor play doesn’t need to be fancy!
Have a scout around the house for objects that may help your child develop their finger strength.
Potion Making – @invitationtoplay
Add a pipette to any activity and my kids will adore it!
My eldest also adores making “potions” so this activity is right up her alley!
Pom Pom Push – @learningatheart
What a super clever reuse of an egg carton!!
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Threading beads onto pipe cleaners is another simple way to practise fine motor skills.
Using pieces of hessian and yarn is an excellent way to encourage early sewing.
Again with the play dough! To keep things interesting, I added faces to egg cartons. My children then used the play dough and loose parts to create crazy hairstyles. This is my fave play dough recipe.
You can’t go past the old bicarb and vinegar test. Use pipettes to squirt vinegar onto bicarb for some fizzy, fine motor fun!
Weaving
If you have slightly older children, I highly recommend weaving as a way to maintain fine motor strength.
I used these weaving projects with a Year 3 class.
Together with the 7 awesome teacher mums featured above, I’ve contributed to the Happy Hands eBook.
It contains 27 simple and playful ideas to encourage fine motor play at your place.
Ideas that are fun, quick and doable.
Ideas to help your little ones playfully develop the hand strength that they need.
Click here to buy your copy of the Happy Hands eBook.
(The ideas featured in this post are not featured in the book.)
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