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    Home » Fine Motor Skills Activities

    18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers

    Published: Feb 19, 2025 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 31 Comments

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    fine motor preschool activities
    fine motor activities for preschoolers
    18 fine motor activities for preschoolers pin

    Activities for fine motor skills are a big deal for preschoolers. Using the small muscles in their hands are key for learning to write, using scissors, and even zipping up a jacket. With the right activities, you can help strengthen these muscles. That’s where Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers come in.

    These activities are not only budget-friendly, but they also sneak in learning through play. From sorting with tweezers to making bead patterns, these ideas show that practicing fine motor skills doesn’t have to be complicated to be helpful and fun.

    18 fine motor activities for preschoolers pin
    Jump to:
    • Why Are Fine Motor Skills Important?
    • What Items Are Helpful For Practicing Fine Motor Skills For Preschoolers?
    • Tips For Fine Motor Skills Activities For 3-4 Year Olds
    • FAQs For Preschool Fine Motor Activities
    • 18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers

    Why Are Fine Motor Skills Important?

    Fine motor skills are important because they affect everything from self-feeding to using scissors to writing with pencils. As children grow, there will be a greater demand placed on their motor skill development.

    They will be expected to dress themselves and use zippers and buttons. Drawing and writing will be easier if your child has strong fine motor skills.

    When I taught preschool and kindergarten, I noticed how much kids benefited from hands-on activities focusing on these skills. Whether a child was struggling or just needed extra practice, having simple and fun activities for fine motor skills made such a difference.

    marshmallow sculptures with toothpicks
    pattern bead snake

    What Items Are Helpful For Practicing Fine Motor Skills For Preschoolers?

    • Stickers - When children peel stickers off their backing, they use their pincer grasp, which strengthens the small muscles in their hands. 
    • Tweezers - Pinching these and picking up objects with them is a great activity.
    • Pipettes or droppers - Use these to draw up and release water in a cup.
    • Ice cube tray - Works great for sorting small objects.
    • Lego toys - Help to work the pincer grasp while kids are pulling them apart.
    • Lacing cards - Great to keep in a car for a road trip or to take to a restaurant.
    • Paper clips - Kids can attach them and take them apart.

    Stickers for Kids 1000+, 3D Puffy StickersStickers for Kids 1000+, 3D Puffy StickersStickers for Kids 1000+, 3D Puffy StickersTeaching Tree Jumbo Kids Tweezers (Colors MayTeaching Tree Jumbo Kids Tweezers (Colors MayTeaching Tree Jumbo Kids Tweezers (Colors MayZkupanx 20 PCS 3ml Dropper Pipettes -Zkupanx 20 PCS 3ml Dropper Pipettes -Zkupanx 20 PCS 3ml Dropper Pipettes -Funrous 10 Pieces Kids Recognition Lacing CardsFunrous 10 Pieces Kids Recognition Lacing CardsFunrous 10 Pieces Kids Recognition Lacing Cards

     

    Tips For Fine Motor Skills Activities For 3-4 Year Olds

    Tip 1: Items you have around the house, like clothespins or pasta, make great tools for fine motor practice. Look around your home - chances are you already have what you need.

    Tip 2: Fine motor skills can be practiced during regular activities. Encourage your child to button their clothes, zip their coat, or help stir ingredients when cooking.

    Tip 3: Let your child pick the activity, whether playing with beads or threading pasta on a string. Giving them a choice encourages independence and keeps them interested.

    children placing tooth picks in shaker

    FAQs For Preschool Fine Motor Activities

    How often should kids do fine motor activities?

    Aim for short sessions a few times a week. Even small, daily moments of practice, such as coloring or zipping coats, can help to build these skills. It’s more about consistency than frequency.

    What are some signs a child needs extra help with fine motor skills?

    If a child consistently struggles with things like holding a crayon, stacking blocks, or using utensils, it might be worth talking to a pediatrician. Remember that kids develop at their own pace, and slight delays can be normal.

    Can fine motor activities improve handwriting?

    Yes, it can. Building hand strength and coordination improves the ability to grip a pencil and control their movements, which are essential for handwriting. Activities like drawing, threading beads, and using tweezers can be helpful.

    Dinner Conversation StartersDinner Conversation StartersDinner Conversation StartersPrintable Chore Chart for KidsPrintable Chore Chart for KidsPrintable Chore Chart for KidsFire Fighter Printable Chore Chart for BoysFire Fighter Printable Chore Chart for BoysFire Fighter Printable Chore Chart for BoysShape FlashcardsShape FlashcardsShape Flashcards

     

    18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers

    You will love these fine motor activities for preschoolers because they are easy to set up and fun for kids. They are great ways to get kids to practice an essential skill without seeming like work. If you're looking for holiday-specific fine motor skills, check out Christmas Fine Motor Skills Activities and Valentine's Day Fine Motor Skills Activities for Kids.

    Please supervise children while they are doing these activities.

    1
    Pushing Toothpicks
    https://www.messforless.net
    Pushing Toothpicks
    I just love easy fine motor activities! This one requires 2 supplies and is pretty easy to take anywhere. It really works on those small muscles! You can find the cheese shakers here.
    Click for activity
    2
    Fine Motor Skills Activity with Tongs
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fine Motor Skills Activity with Tongs
    In addition to fine motor practice, you can use this activity with pom poms to help with color recognition. These tongs are a great size for kids and you will use them again and again.
    Click for activity
    3
    https://www.messforless.net
    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.
    Click for activity
    4
    Patterned Bead Snakes
    https://www.messforless.net
    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.
    Click for activity
    5
    Fruit Loop Towers
    https://www.messforless.net
    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.
    Click for activity
    6
    Woven Paper Placemats
    https://www.messforless.net
    Woven Paper Placemats
    Small hand muscles 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.
    Click for activity
    7
    Fun with Pipe Cleaners
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fun with Pipe Cleaners
    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.
    Click for activity
    8
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fine Motor Skills for Preschoolers
    Fine motor skills for preschoolers are so important. Here is a fun game you can make using dyed pasta. Directions to dye pasta included.
    Click for activity
    9
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fine Motor Skills Color Recognition Game
    You can make this game yourself and it helps kids learn their colors in addition to fine motor skills.This is a great activity for developing hand-eye coordination.
    Click for activity
    10
    Fine Motor Activity with Playdough and Q-Tips
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fine Motor Activity with Playdough and Q-Tips
    Find out how to make dyed q-tips and use them for a fine motor color matching activity like placing them in clay.
    Click for activity
    11
    Fine Motor Skills Activity with Dyed Oatmeal
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fine Motor Skills Activity with Dyed Oatmeal
    Learn how to color oats and incorporate them into a fun fine motor activity with this sensory bin and clothespins.
    Click for activity
    12
    A child engages in fine motor activities for preschoolers by threading beads onto colored pipe cleaners spread across the table.
    https://www.messforless.net
    Counting Bead Fun
    Practice counting and math skills while working those little muscles with Counting with Beads and Pipe Cleaners.
    Click for activity
    13
    Fine Motor Skills Water Art
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fine Motor Skills Water Art
    Find out how to make this fine motor skills water art. You won't believe how easy it is and how quickly you can set up this art activity.
    Click for activity
    14
    Q-Tips and Straws
    https://www.messforless.net
    Q-Tips and Straws
    This is a great way to help little hands strengthen fine motor skills and work on colors at the same time.
    Click for activity
    15
    Fine Motor Skills Activity with Beads
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fine Motor Skills Activity with Beads
    This fine motor skills activity with beads is quick to set up and helps strengthen hand muscles and the pincer grasp through a fun and engaging challenge. It combines play and learning while fostering creativity and coordination!
    Click for activity
    16
    Fine Motor Straw Necklace
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fine Motor Straw Necklace
    Create a fun and colorful Fine Motor Straw Necklace with your little one! This engaging activity helps develop fine motor skills through threading and pattern-making, all while sparking creativity and playfulness.
    Click for activity
    17
    Handwriting Practice with Shaving Cream
    https://www.messforless.net
    Handwriting Practice with Shaving Cream
    Turn handwriting practice into messy fun with this shaving cream activity! Not only does it help strengthen fine motor skills, but it also provides a sensory-rich experience that kids will love.
    Click for activity
    18
    https://www.messforless.net
    Fine Motor Practice with Straws
    Discover a fun and hands-on way to boost fine motor skills with this straw activity, perfect for preparing kids for kindergarten. Through simple tools like tongs and shaving cream, children strengthen hand muscles needed for writing, cutting, and daily tasks!
    Click for activity
    18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers. Love how lots of these ideas use stuff you already have around the house.

     

    More Fine Motor Skills Activities

    • St. Patrick;s Day Fine Motor Activities
      St. Patrick's Day Kids Fine Motor Activities
    • 25 Fall Fine Motor Activities
    • Activities for Fine Motor Skills
    • Halloween Fine Motor Activities

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    1. Stephanie says

      February 16, 2013 at 5:34 am

      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.

      Reply
    2. Kirstylee says

      February 15, 2013 at 8:43 pm

      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!

      Reply
    3. Sarah Avila says

      February 15, 2013 at 6:06 pm

      Great ideas! I pinned this one too!

      Reply
    4. Sharon says

      February 15, 2013 at 4:56 pm

      Pinned this to my Grandma ideas board. Great ideas!
      visiting through Pin Me Linky

      Reply
    5. Ryan Judd says

      February 15, 2013 at 12:39 pm

      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

      Reply
    6. Melissa says

      February 13, 2013 at 6:54 pm

      Totally pinned this so I can't "lose" it. 🙂

      Reply
    7. Melissa says

      February 13, 2013 at 6:53 pm

      Love these ideas. I have a little one with delays, fine motor included, so these are just the ticket. 🙂

      Reply
    8. The Monko says

      February 13, 2013 at 8:07 pm

      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.

      Reply
    9. School Sparks Renee says

      February 12, 2013 at 12:49 am

      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

      Reply
    10. Sam @ Thrive360 Living says

      February 12, 2013 at 5:07 am

      What a great collection! I'm definitely pinning this post. My favorite is the fruit loops tower.

      Reply
    Newer Comments »
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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