Easy Fine Motor Ideas

 *Remember: The best play is child-led, both individually and in social settings.  The following activity ideas are intended to bring awareness of the skills children develop through play, not to replace free-play or meaningful, genuine adult-child interactions*

Any activity that uses the fingers enhances fine motor skills.  Fine motor skills are needed for writing and many other intricate tasks, but can be improved so very simply using items in your home!

Infants love dropping things.  Give them a bucket, milk jug, or reusable container and something to drop such as balls, blocks, clothespins, etc.  Anything can work for this activity!

When your preschooler is ready, he can start lacing.  Anything you have handy will work, string, pipe cleaners/chenille stems, yarn, etc.  And O-shaped cereals, beads, even Lifesaver candy!  Get those fingers working!

 If you don't have anything that can be put on a string, try making your own lacing cards.  Just some paper, a hole punch, and some thread/string/yarn and you're all set!







 
If you have an older child, let them practice writing with pencils, crayons, markers, pens, anything!  Dry erase markers work on any laminated surface, counters, mirrors, even certain types of flooring.






Children LOVE tongs and tweezers of all sizes.  Give them a bowl of anything, cotton balls, marshmallows, pom-poms and some kitchen tools and you have a perfect fine motor activity!

How about some spoon work?  Two bowls, any type of spoon and some sort of small something you'll never eat from your pantry.  Try beans, corn kernels or rice.

Ok, you probably don't have random pipettes laying around the house.  But, odds are, you have bowls, water and a baster.  Get those kiddos squeezing and work those writing muscles!  Old droppers from empty medicine bottles work too!