Activities to build fine motor skills

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Whether it be Stringing, Poking, Pinching, Squishing, Wrapping, Scooping, Stacking, Sticking, Pealing, or Painting..there are so many fun ways to give those little fingers and hands a workout.

​Having strong fine motor skills makes it easier for children to perform Self-help skills such as Dressing (tying shoes, buttoning, buckles, and zipping), as well as other functional tasks such as manipulating small pieces, cutting and writing.

Jessica T. shared this Valentines POM POM sorting activity. She used an empty heart shaped box. She placed pink, purple, and red Pom poms of different sizes in the box. The children then used tweezers to sort the different types of poms into an ice cube tray.

Sherry W. made this 'Bumble Bee' hive activity with Yellow pom-poms and Yellow Self-Cling hair rollers. The rollers cling together and then hold onto the pom-pom bees when they are placed on or in the rollers. She turned it into a counting game by  adding counting cards 1-6, for the older kids. Sherry said she starts out the school year working on these numbers first, and will be using this activity along with the book "Buzz Said The Bee."

Ellie B. strengthens fine motor skills through painting with water colors.

Shelly W. froze bugs in a container of water, and then let the children use spray bottles, butter knifes, salt, sun, paint, and hammers to try to figure out how to get the bugs out.

The Children in Ellie B's care are improving their fine motor skills by
playing in the Mud Kitchen.

Ellie B.  shared this photo of Play Dough Fun. So much squishing, pulling, and rolling!

Candasa U. Shared her natural Geo-board. She shared that patterns and shapes interact and share space. Natural textures of tree bring outdoors inside. Using and creating activities ourselves encourage little ones to see their own possibilities in building!

Heather J. build fine motor skills by coloring! In addition to building fine motor skills children learn to recognize different colors & objects!

Jennifer S. filler her Sensory table with 20lbs of black beans. Kids used scoops, tweezers, and brushes to find and bury the "bugs.

Elizabeth A. created this fun fishing activity for the Children in her care. They have to catch with the magnetic sea creatures with their Magnet "hook".

The kiddos at Lisa B's Daycare really enjoy play dough and stacking different beads on a stick. They love the shapes and making patterns. In addition to being a great fine motor activity they can also count how many fit on the stick as well as practice their colors.

Danielle W. uses these count and clip circles in her program. In addition to learning to count, the child gets a fine motor workout from pinching the clothespins

Tammy K. shared this photo of a DIY Fine Motor Activity. The Children in her care put jelly beads into recycled bottles, and use them as light table sensory bottles.

Kris M. Shared a photo of her "Hungry Ball" fine motor activity. She took a tennis ball and cut a mouth shape in it. Above the mouth shape she drew on his eyes. She gives each child a small rock, marble,etc that fits in the palm of their hand until Mr. Hungry ball comes to them (their turn). Using only their thumb and index finger. they roll the object  to their  fingertips to feed Mr. Hungry.

Cheryl M. shared this photo of her group playing with water beads. She said the children her in care love this activity, and it is very relaxing after a busy day.

Thank you to everyone who shared their fabulous fine motor activities!

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Do you have a fun fine motor idea?

Tell us about it in the comments below!