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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Home » Fine Motor Skills Activities

    Fun with Pipe Cleaners - Fine Motor Skills

    Published: Aug 12, 2011 · Modified: Aug 4, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    Here is a quick idea for some practicing fine motor skills that uses something most everyone has - a colander!  You will also need some pipe cleaners, which in my opinion are also something everyone should have. This Fun with Pipe Cleaners fine motor skills activity takes no time to set up and is great for when you need to keep your child busy for a little bit so you can make dinner. Just don't have them do this if you are cooking something that requires a colander.

    Fine Motor Skills activity with Pipe Cleaners - Kids will have a ball while pushing and pulling pipe cleaners.

    WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR THIS FINE MOTOR ACTIVITY?

    fine motor skills activity with a collander

    I am lucky to have 2 colanders, but not so lucky to have 3.  Little C was not happy that she had to wait her turn while her sisters did the activity first.  To be fair, at 18 months, C had a tough time with this fine motor skills activity, but she did love playing with the pipe cleaners.

    HOW TO HAVE FINE MOTOR FUN WITH PIPE CLEANERS

    A and B just adored this easy activity.  I gave each of them a colander and a bunch of colorful pipe cleaners.  I showed them how they could poke the pipe cleaners through the holes of the colander to create sculptures.  The girls thought they looked like tunnels.

    fine motor skills
    fine motor skills
    fine motor skills

    They kept asking for more and more pipe cleaners (luckily I had a few bags of them) so you might want to have some extra on hand.  They were delighted with their creations and A proclaimed "this is fabulous!" What I really found fabulous was that I snuck in some fine motor work.  As the girls pushed their pipe cleaners into the small holes they were strengthening their fine motor skills.

    The finished product! What do you think of their fine motor skills art?

    fine motor skills activities

    For more fine motor skills activities check out:

    • 20+ Pipe Cleaner Crafts and Activities
    • 18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers
    • Make a Number Math Game
    • Fine Motor Skills Water Art
    • 18 Fine Motor Activities for Kids
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    More Fine Motor Skills Activities

    • 18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers
    • Fine Motor Skills Activity with Dyed Oatmeal
    • Counting Bead Fun
    • Fine Motor Skills for Preschoolers - Pasta Play

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vicky

      August 13, 2011 at 8:45 pm

      April, thank you so much! I get lots of great inspiration from other moms.

    2. Vicky

      August 13, 2011 at 8:45 pm

      Maria, thanks for following!

    3. Vicky

      August 13, 2011 at 8:44 pm

      Laura, thank you so much!

    4. Vicky

      August 13, 2011 at 8:44 pm

      Erica, You are so sweet, thanks!

    5. April

      August 13, 2011 at 8:24 pm

      Oops! I meant what a great idea!!

    6. April

      August 13, 2011 at 8:24 pm

      What a great follower! Thanks for following my blog, I'm definitely following you now - you have a ton of great ideas!

    7. MariaS

      August 13, 2011 at 3:55 pm

      Great idea!
      Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving me a comment! Following you back!

    8. Laura

      August 13, 2011 at 2:35 pm

      Very cute idea! New follower from the FL and FF hop-thanks for linking up.

    9. Vicky

      August 13, 2011 at 2:15 pm

      Thank you Dawn!

    10. Dawn

      August 13, 2011 at 5:29 am

      What great ideas!!! Thank you for finding me!! lol. Following you back via GFC. I look forward to reading more! =)

    11. Erika

      August 13, 2011 at 12:49 am

      That is such a great idea! So fun & easy and no mess either! I am going to do this with my kids.
      Thanks for stopping by my blog & leaving your sweet comment! I'm a new follower.
      ~Erika
      Musings From a SAHM

    12. Erica @ Doodles & Doilies

      August 13, 2011 at 1:59 am

      I am excited you found my blog so I could find yours! I am always looking for more fun activities to do with children. I am excited to be your newest follower!

    13. Vicky

      August 13, 2011 at 12:51 am

      Erika, it's a nice quiet activity too! 🙂 thanks for stopping by!

    14. Vicky

      August 13, 2011 at 12:50 am

      Thank you Melissa! I will be by your blog more.

    15. Vicky

      August 13, 2011 at 12:50 am

      Thank you Pam! I will have to try those pavers!

    16. Melissa

      August 12, 2011 at 11:03 pm

      Great idea for a blog! Thanks for stopping by Mel Dreams Often. I'm a new follower, too!

    17. Pams Party

      August 12, 2011 at 10:04 pm

      I came over when you posted on my painted garden pavers. My kids are a bit too old for this now, but what a cute idea.

    18. About A Mom

      August 12, 2011 at 5:24 pm

      Very fun idea! Thanks for stopping by today! I am returning the follow.

    19. Vicky

      August 12, 2011 at 8:55 pm

      Thanks Alida! The girls had fun while I worked on dinner.

    20. Alida

      August 12, 2011 at 8:15 pm

      What a fun idea!!

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    Valentine's Day Activities and Recipes

    • Valentine’s Dessert Cheese Ball
    • Valentine's Brownie Cake Pops
    • Valentine's Chocolate Covered Pretzels
    • Valentine Ideas for Kids - Glitter Hearts

    Winter Activities

    • Q-Tip Painted Snowman Craft
    • Winter Shaving Cream Paint
    • Pinecone Snowman Craft
    • Melted Snowman Craft

    Popular Recipes

    • Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Overnight Egg Casserole
    • Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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