18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers

149K Shares

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?

These 18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers will keep your kids busy while they work on important skills. #finemotorskills #finemotoractivities #kidsactivities

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.

Fine Motor Work with Golf Tees

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.

Tong Transfer

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.

Play Dough and Beads

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.

Patterned Bead Snakes

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.

Fruit Loop Towers

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.

Making Straw Jewelry

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.

Woven Paper Place mats

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.

Fine Motor Work with A Colander

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!

You Can Count on Me

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.

Color Drop Game

You can make this game yourself and it helps kids learn their colors in addition to fine motor skills.

Fine Motor Activity with Play Dough and Q-Tips

Find out how to make dyed q-tips and use them for a fine motor color matching activity.

Fine Motor Skills Activity with Dyed Oatmeal

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.

Marshmallow Sculptures

Kids will have no idea they are actually building small motor skills while playing with marshmallows. They may eat some marshmallows along the way.

Fine Motor Fun with Pipe Cleaners

I consider pipe cleaners an essential fine motor item. They sell them at the dollar store so pick some up and play!

Hanging Socks

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.

Counting with Beads and Pipe Cleaners

Pipe cleaners again? Did you buy them yet? Practice counting and math skills while working those little muscles.

Q-Tips and Straws Fine Motor Activity

This is a great way to help little hands strengthen fine motor skills and work on colors at the same time.

18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers. Love how lots of these ideas use stuff you already have around the house. #kids, #education

I hope you enjoyed these Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers and that they keep your kids busy and engaged!

GOT A CRAFTY KID?

The folks at Annie’s know crafting, so you know they have put together some amazing kits for your kids.

For girls:

The Creative Girls Club subscription box will get your girl’s creative juices flowing. Girls get two kits each month full of crafting fun. Best of all, the crafting can be done with minimal adult supervision. While she is creating, she will be learning valuable skills such as painting, beading, stitching, paper crafting, and much more!

For boys and girls:

These Young Woodworkers Kits have everything your little builder needs to create crafts and toys they can enjoy, while learning important woodworking skills along the way. Your child’s first three kits will include 5 kid-sized, high-quality tools they’ll use again and again. A new woodworking project is delivered every four weeks, with a new and exciting skill to master. Each project teaches a new, real world skill that kids will use for years to come.

If you liked these fine motor activities for preschoolers, you’ll love:

Fine Motor Skills Activity with Beads