Fine motor skills are so important to a child’s development. These skills help kids to strengthen the small muscles in their hands which help them with important life skills such as grasping things, writing, feeding themselves, and more. Did you know that even toddlers can begin to work on their fine motor skills at home? Here are some easy activities you can set up for your toddler that will be both challenging and fun. These 20 Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers use many items you already have at home, so there is no need to spend a lot of money.
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Why these Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers are awesome
When toddlers strengthen their fine motor skills they develop finger strength which helps with pencil grasp and other writing activities. Developing these skills will help them with everyday tasks such as using a fork and spoon.
Must have fine motor supplies that kids need
- scissors - opening and closing the scissors helps develop small muscles in children's hands
- buttons - sorting and stacking buttons provide a great fine motor activity
- play dough - kids develop hand strength by rolling and squeezing the playdough or clay
- stickers - peeling them from the sheet works smaller muscles in hands
- clothespins - opening and closing the clothespin provide fine motor practice
- tweezers - picking up small objects such as pom poms and releasing them helps with hand eye coordination
- droppers or pipettes - squeezing these helps with fine motor skill development
- rubber bands - stretching the rubber bands over a cardboard tube helps with fine motor development
- crayons or markers - using them, even just for scribbling, helps develop the pincer grasp
Fine Motor Skills Activities for Toddlers
Fruit Loop Towers from Mess for Less - These fruit loop towers are a simple way to practice fine motor skills with little ones. Plus kids can eat the fruit loops when they are done!
Color Sorting Activities from Mess for Less - Sort pom poms by color into ice cube trays using tweezers.
Fine Motor Skills Letter Activity from Mom Dot - If your toddler is old enough to recognize letters, this activity will be even more beneficial. It would even be a great way to introduce letters to your little one.
Fine Motor Fun with Pipe Cleaners from Mess for Less - This is one of the easiest fine motor activities for toddlers that you will find. Kids will have a ball while pushing and pulling pipe cleaners.
Taped Toys Fine Motor Activity from Laughing Kids Learn - What a unique activity to build fine motor skills and dexterity. So easy and simple to set up!
Moon Rocks Fine Motor Activity from Pre-K Pages - Just watch the excitement as your toddler builds their little muscles as he gently hammers these moon rocks to reveal what is inside.
Fine Motor Skills Color Recognition Game from Mess for Less - Use recyclables to make a fun game that works on many basic skills for toddlers and preschoolers.
Fine Motor Activity with Q-Tips from Fantastic Fun and Learning - If you’re looking for an activity that you can set up super quickly for your little one and that will keep her occupied while building her fine motor muscles, then this is for you!
Clothesline Names from Pre-K Pages - Help reinforce letter recognition while building fine motor skills with this fantastic activity!
Fine Motor Work with Golf Tees from Mess for Less - Watch how much fun kids can have while practicing their fine motor skills. Try this easy-to-set-up golf tee activity with your little ones.
Straws and Pipe Cleaner Fine Motor Activity from Living Life and Learning - Anything simple that can be profitable and fun is a winner in most parents’ books and this activity fits that description well.
Zoo Animals Fine Motor Activity from Pre-K Pages - Maybe you could coordinate this activity with a trip to the zoo or maybe it would be a consolation for a rained out day at the zoo. No matter what, this activity will be sure to entertain!
Fine Motor Frog Life Cycle Activity from Life Over C’s - Does your child enjoy seeing frogs? This activity is a great way to teach them about frogs, make a craft, and use their fine motor skills all at the same time!
Pasta Threading Activity from Laughing Kids Learn - What a brilliant way to practice threading with a toddler and keep it safe for them at the same time! Kids will be building a pasta tower as they lace pasta through a straw.
Q-Tips and Straws from Mess for Less - A great way to help little hands strengthen fine motor skills and work on colors at the same time.
Pincer Fine Motor Skill Practice from Powerful Mothering - Oh my goodness, you must check out how adorable this fine motor activity is! This will take a bit of prep work, but it will be so worth it as your little one has fun feeding the baby birds!
Garden Pretend Play from Views from a Step Stool - Your kids will enjoy participating in the creation of this garden, as well as benefiting from the activity once it is set up. This would be great in the spring or really any time!
Threading with Large Colored Cardboard Beads from Laughing Kids Learn - Wondering what to do with those empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls? If you have a toddler or preschooler, this would be a great way to recycle those rolls!
Fine Motor Knot Tying Activity from Hands On As We Grow - This activity can build fine motor skills in multiple ways - first by making the knots, and then by taking them out.
Spider Fine Motor Activity from Pre-K Pages-Whether or not you or your child like spiders will be irrelevant to their enjoyment of this fine motor activity. Who doesn’t love googly eyes?!?! This activity also involves some basic threading skills as well!
Fine Motor Skills Activity with Tongs - from Mess for Less - Tongs are not just for salads. Grab some and let kids work on those small hand muscles.
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Marcie
My kids will do any activity that involves a pipe cleaner! What a great list of easy ideas!
leah
I wish I had seen this post two years ago when my little one was this age! I am passing this along to all my parent friends!
Marina
So many great ideas. Will share your post among my friends with kids x
Angela
Fine motor work is so important as toddlers develop! These activities are all such a great idea to foster development!!
Mommy Peach
Great round up. My youngest would need these activities so she can practice her fine motor skills.