Fun Fine Motor Ideas For Home

Have you ever walked into your child’s preschool classroom and seen the class making macaroni necklaces? Each child is wearing that same squinking, focused face as they thread the string through each noodle. Cute, right? You’d be surprised to know that this isn’t just a fun art project, but rather an activity designed to develop your child’s fine motor skills. Pinching, looping, and lacing are building strength in the hand which will help your child hold a pencil. Wow! That macaroni necklace is a precursor to your child’s academic success! 

If you think your child needs some extra practice to strengthen their fine motor skills, try some of these activities at home. They require very simple materials and will yield fantastic results!

• Try cutting out pictures from newspapers or magazines. Cardboard also works well!
• If your child is older, consider subbing in small legos for large. 
• Knead and build with dough or clay. You can roll out a snake and pinch! Hide small objects in the dough and have your child find them.
• Play a peg board game. Inserting a peg can be very challenging for children!
• Play with any toy that involves the manipulation of small pieces. Use a water bottle to squirt water on the sidewalk. 
• Have a cotton ball race across the table with your child.
• Finger paint on a paper plate with sand or shaving cream.
• Use small marshmallows and toothpicks to form letters.
• String popcorn, buttons, or beads to make a necklace.
• Use a hole punch to create designs on a piece of paper.
• Clip clothespins to a container.
• Try lacing cards.
• Gather small objects from around the house. Place them on the ground. Use a pair of tweezers or small tongs to place them into a bowl, jar, or any similar container. 
• Put away some coins in a piggy bank. Hold the coins in the palm of your hands and insert each coin into the slot. The clink of a coin is a very rewarding sound for any child!

Remember that pinching small objects can be frustrating for a small child. It’s always hard to master a new skill! If your child feels discouraged because they aren’t immediately successful, encourage them to try again. Consider taking a break from a particularly challenging activity and returning to it later. You will want to avoid associating fine motor activities with boring, tedious work. Do your best to keep it fun and light. After all, children learn best through play!