It’s no secret that fine motor skills play an important role in a child’s development and success at school. When I was teaching Preschool and Kindergarten, I saw many kids who had weak fine motor skills. I created a variety of fine motor activities to use in the classroom for students of all skill levels, as everyone can use a little help. Many parents wanted to work on fine motor skills at home too and they often asked me for ideas. The cheap fine motor activities for preschoolers that I will be sharing today will help kids strengthen their skills while incorporating learning from various parts of the curriculum. I just love sneaking in some learning wherever I can, don’t you?
FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES FOR 3-5 YEAR OLDS
Please supervise children while they are doing these activities.
Pushing Toothpicks
I just love easy fine motor activities! This one requires 2 supplies and is pretty easy to take anywhere. You can find the cheese shakers here.
This fine motor exercise will help kids to gain strength as they push golf tees into foam. Even a toddler can do it! We use these golf tees for lots of activities.
In addition to fine motor practice, you can use this activity to help with color recognition. These tongs are a great size for kids and you will use them again and again.
What kid doesn’t love play dough? Take advantage of that by adding some beads for fine motor practice. Try making this oatmeal play dough recipe with kids. It works great for this activity.
Stringing beads on a pipe cleaner is a great way to work on fine motor skills. Add some fun by creating a snake. You can also use this as a way to teach colors and patterns.
Raid your pantry for this yummy activity that will have kids reaching and grasping for more. When you are done, you can make this cereal rainbow craft with the leftover cheerios.
Fun for little fingers! This is another activity that my preschoolers and toddler both enjoyed. When they are done, they will have colorful pasta jewelry to wear and incorporate into pretend play.
Little hands get quite the workout as they weave paper under and over to create a pretty place mat. You can laminate these when they are done and use them for meals.
Love this new use for a strainer or colander! In addition to being a great fine motor activity, this unleashes imagination and keeps kids busy. Win!
Math combined with fine motor work? Count me in (pun very much intended)! This is another one of those activities that just use a few items you probably already have.
You can make this game yourself and it helps kids learn their colors in addition to fine motor skills.
Find out how to make dyed q-tips and use them for a fine motor color matching activity.
This fine motor skills activity is lets kids practices important skills while engaging in a fun sensory activity. Learn how to color oats and incorporate them into a fun fine motor activity.
Kids will have no idea they are actually building small motor skills while playing with marshmallows. They may eat some marshmallows along the way.
I consider pipe cleaners an essential fine motor item. They sell them at the dollar store so pick some up and play!
Not only does this help improve fine motor skills, it encourages kids to help out around the house. I cannot guarantee they will continue to help with chores as they get older.
Pipe cleaners again? Did you buy them yet? Practice counting and math skills while working those little muscles.
This is a great way to help little hands strengthen fine motor skills and work on colors at the same time.
I hope you enjoyed these Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers and that they keep your kids busy and engaged!
KIWICO
If you are looking for more fun ways to engage your kids, I highly recommend KiwiCo. As a former teacher, I was really impressed with the quality of materials found in KiwiCo. Some moms have told me that they want to do activities like I do on Mess For Less with their kids, but they just don’t have to the time to go buy all the supplies and prepare them for the activity. KiwiCo is the perfect solution. Every month your KiwiCo will focus on a particular theme like Colors, Dinosaurs or Gardening. KiwiCo offer a variety of projects ranging from crafts, imaginative play, science experiments and more.
If you liked these fine motor activities for preschoolers, you’ll love:
School Sparks Renee says
Vicky – These are amazing ideas. I'm a huge proponent of fine motor practice for little ones. I especially like the colander and toothpick pushing activities. Hadn't thought of those! 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Renee
Sam @ Thrive360 Living says
What a great collection! I'm definitely pinning this post. My favorite is the fruit loops tower.
Melissa says
Love these ideas. I have a little one with delays, fine motor included, so these are just the ticket. 🙂
Melissa says
Totally pinned this so I can't "lose" it. 🙂
The Monko says
wow what a great round up. We have done a fair few of these but there are some i haven't tried yet and some that it was great to be reminded of I'm sharing this on my FB page.
Ryan Judd says
I love these! Great suggestions and pictures to illustrate the activities. I will share this on my FB and Twitter page!
Ryan Judd, MA, MT-BC
http://www.TheRhythmTree.com
Sharon says
Pinned this to my Grandma ideas board. Great ideas!
visiting through Pin Me Linky
Sarah Avila says
Great ideas! I pinned this one too!
Kirstylee says
These are great. I was just thinking that I needed to look up some fine motor activities for my kids. Luckily, I found this post just in time. I love all the ideas!
Stephanie says
I seriously need to do some of these with my 3-yr-old. This looks great for keeping her entertained and learning while the older siblings are in school.
For The Love of Learning says
These are wonderful! I have many fine motor ideas on my blog too for toddlers if anyone would like to see. 🙂
-Deborah @ For The Love of Learning
http://fortheloveoflearningblog.blogspot.com
Shaffer Sisters says
I love this list and that you used affordable and everyday items. I am saving this for next week I wanted to take some time and enjoy my kiddos. I am pinning this so I remember these.
janahowtorunahomedaycare says
I'm running to grab my colander right now, fantastic idea!
motheronamission says
I love these! I have a two year old, and I know fine motor skills are something I need to consciously develop with him. Thanks for sharing!
MammaNene says
You shared really interesting ideas!
MammaNene from SergerPepper.blogspot.it
Nicole Walter says
What a great list of ideas! Pinning and will be using later, thanks for sharing! Hope you have a wonderful week!!
Katie @ Gift of Curiosity says
Such a great collection of ideas! Thanks for sharing your fine motor activities.
JDaniel4's Mom says
This is such a wonderful collections of ideas!
Amanda @MissPandaChinese says
Love this collection of activities for young children. Great fun!
Rachel Harwood says
What a fun and fabulous collection of ideas here! This is a great post! Thank you for sharing at For the Kids Fridays! I am featuring this post at this week's party! YIPPEE!!!
Diana - FreeStyleMama says
Great collection!
Rebecca English says
This is a fabulous collection of activities. My twins are nearly three and will love these.
Thanks for linking to the Sunday showcase. I've pinned this to our board.
Angie Christensen says
We've used the bathroom clings with suction cups on the bottom (like what you might put in the bottom of your bathtub) for several different fine motor activities. Turn them upside down so the suction cups are facing up. The kiddos use tweezers or strawberry hullers to pick up beans or pom poms and put one into each suction cup. They an also use eye droppers to squeeze water into each suction cup. If you don't have bathroom clings, you can also use an inexpensive kitchen mat that you would sit underneath your dishes drainer.
Ashley Wells says
That must start from the childhood, and the best way to do that is to choose proper problem solving activities for preschoolers.
http://kidslearninghub.com
Nora M. says
Thank you so much for the list here! I plan to use some of these with the kids I nanny for. Thanks so much!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
So happy it will be of help to you Nora!
Jessica says
Superb activities. I am using them tom improve the fine motor skills of my year old girl
Seema Mehta says
Development of motor skills is important for the overall growth of children and pre-schoolers and that is what I think. The ideas are amazing and the collection is really neat too! Not generic ideas that people think of everyday! It is a really great job by Vicky.
kethrine says
great
kethrine says
that is great article from child perpective
kethrine says
It is must for working parents to choose good school nursery for the child.