100+ Fine Motor Activities For Kids - Happy Toddler Playtime (2024)

Table of Contents
What are Fine Motor skills? Why are Fine Motor Skills Important? Fine Motor Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers More Fine Motor Activities for Kids More Fine Motor Activities for Kids Even More Ways to Improve Fine Motor Skills WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE FINE MOTOR SKILL CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER? PIN IT FOR LATER! FAQs References

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. Adult supervision is required for all activities found on HappyToddlerPlaytime.com.

INSIDE: Looking for fun and easy fine motor activities for your toddler or preschooler? This post has over 100 craft and activity ideas you can easily create at home or in the classroom to help your child or students improve their fine motor skills.

See Also
10 Fun Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers85+ Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers- Guaranteed to Keep Them Busy!30 Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers! Pinch! Thread! Trace!fine motor activities for toddlers

What are Fine Motor skills?

Fine motor skills are like the unsung heroes of a child’s development. They involve the use of those small muscles in the hands and fingers and are essential for performing everyday tasks. Think about it: from tying shoelaces to buttoning a shirt, or even holding a pencil to write – these skills are a big deal in a kid’s world!

Why are Fine Motor Skills Important?

Developing fine motor skills in young children is not just about preparing them for writing. It’s about building the foundation for a range of skills. When kids get better at using their fingers and hands, they gain a sense of independence. Suddenly, they can zip up their jackets, open snack packets, or build a towering LEGO masterpiece all by themselves. It’s a big boost to their confidence and self-esteem. Plus, it’s amazing to see their little faces light up with pride when they master a new skill.

See Also
The 17 Best Fine Motor Activities for Kids

And here’s another cool part – working on fine motor skills also helps with brain development. Each time a child picks up a small object, they’re not just practicing coordination; they’re also building neural connections in the brain. These connections are super important for all sorts of things, from problem-solving to the ability to concentrate.

So, when we talk about fine motor skills, we’re talking about much more than just moving fingers – we’re talking about building confident, independent, and smart little individuals. And the best part? We can enhance these skills through simple, everyday activities and play. Yes, that’s right, play! Simple tasks like stacking blocks, playing with playdough, or even arts and crafts are not just fun – they’re an investment in our kids’ development. So, let’s get those little hands moving and see where their creativity and newfound skills take them!

Ready to check out the ideas?! Here are over 100 ways your little one can play and create to improve their fine motor skills!

100+ Fine Motor Activities For Kids - Happy Toddler Playtime (1)

Fine Motor Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers

  1. (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  2. Bird Seed Sweep {A Fine Motor Activity} (Little Pine Learners)
  3. Paper Pale Apple Lacing Craft (Kids Craft Room)
  4. Broomstick Fine Motor Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  5. Fine Motor Lantern Craft (The OT Toolbox)
  6. Washi Tape Sesame Street Character Craft (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  7. Fish Sewing Board – Sewing Learning Activity for Kids (Happy Tot Shelf)
  8. Torn Paper Watermelon Craft (Fantastic Fun and Learning)
  9. Paper Chain Rainbow Craft (How We Learn)
  10. Textured Rainbow Suncatcher Craft (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  11. Paper Plate Flower Fine Motor Craft (Toddler Approved)
  12. Cotton Ball Names (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  13. Sticky Fish – Inspire My Play
https://www.instagram.com/p/COiwmjSsG3G/?igshid=1v9n3sisvxpxb

Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

  1. Cookie Cutter Fine Motor Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  2. Cutting Practice Made Fun! (Days with Grey)
  3. Make Preschool Fine Motor Practice Fun with Buttons (Coffee Cups and Crayons)
  4. Musical Instrument Rescue (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  5. FINE MOTOR STRENGTH FOIL ACTIVITY (The OT Toolbox)
  6. KITCHEN WHISK BABY FINE MOTOR SKILLS SENSORY ACTIVITY (Hello Wonderful)
  7. Fruit Loop Graph (Play to Learn Preschool)
  8. Cap Twist Off Board (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  9. Sticker Lines: Fine Motor Activity (Busy Toddler)
  10. Wash the Socks: a Fine Motor Activity for Toddlers (Days with Grey)
  11. Sea Animal Rescue: Fine Motor Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  12. Clip Worm Fine Motor Activity (Your Therapy Source)
  13. Quick and Easy Fine Motor Clothespin Activity (School Time Snippets)
  14. Frozen Lego Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  15. Taped toys fine motor activity for toddlers and preschoolers (Laughing Kids Learn)
  16. Rescue the Zoo Animals (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  17. Toddler Glue Dots and Buttons (Tinkerlab)
  18. Dot to Dot Fine Motor Activity (Days with Grey)
  19. Car Fine Motor Activity with Stickers (Toddler Approved)
  20. Car Mechanic Pretend Play Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  21. Peeling Orange Fine Motor Activity (hello, Wonderful)
  22. Wine Cork Push: Fine Motor Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  23. Fine Motor Skills Activities using an empty Cheese Container and Toothpicks (Active Littles)
  24. Elastic Bands and Pool Noodles (And Next Comes L)
  25. Frozen Pom Poms (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  26. Fine Motor Skills: Rainbow Rice in a Jar – Kcedventures
  27. Fizzy Shapes Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)

More Fine Motor Activities for Kids

  1. Cardboard Tube Yarn Threading (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  2. Toddlers Love Hammering Tees into a Box! (Hands On As We Grow)
  3. Fine Motor Skills Activity with Beads (Toddler Approved)
  4. Counting Hearts Wand (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  5. Hole Punch Fine Motor Activity (The Resourceful Mama)
  6. Fine Motor Activity to Keep Kids Busy When You Need It (Hands On As We Grow)
  7. (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  8. Connect the Stickers Fine Motor Activity for Kids (Toddler Approved)
  9. DIY Alphabet Fine Motor Activity for Preschool (Active Littles)
  10. Flower Fine Motor Threading (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  11. Peeling Tape Fine Motor Activity (Messy Little Monsters)
  12. Baby Doll Haircuts (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  13. Feed the Caterpillar Pom Pom Drop (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  14. Highlighter Trace – a Fine Motor Activity for Preschoolers (Days with Grey)
  15. Pom Pom Water Transfer (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  16. Pom Pom Drop Sticky Wall (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  17. Pool Noodle Fine Motor Play (the Mundane and The Miraculous Life)
  18. Lego Car Wash Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  19. Sticky Tape Shapes (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  20. Feed the Frog (Therapy Fun Zone)
  21. Spagetti Drop Fine Motor Sensory Bin for Toddlers
  22. Hole Punch Turkey Counting
  23. Bear Boat Rescue; Fine Motor Activity (Days with Grey)
  24. Play Dinner Rescue Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  25. Spaghetti Bead Towers Fine Motor Activity (Glitter On A Dime)
  26. Feed the Animals: An Easy Toddler Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)

More Fine Motor Activities for Kids

  1. Moon Rock Letters Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  2. Bead & Button Pipe Cleaner Bracelets (Glitter On a Dime)
  3. Fine motor activity using a spiky ball and loom bands (Laughing Kids Learn)
  4. Dinosaur Bones Sticky Wall (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  5. Baby Doll Bandaid Shape Matching Play Activity (Finding Myself Young)
  6. Rocket Ship Clothespin Counting Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  7. Colour Matching Cotton Tip Push Toddler Activity (My Bored Toddler)
  8. Simple Fine Motor Activity with Paper Clips (Hands On As We Grow)
  9. Fine motor ribbon and whisk activity (Laughing Kids Learn)
  10. Ice Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  11. Pipe Cleaner and Cardboard Box
  12. Fine Motor with Keys in Play Dough (My Bored Toddler)
  13. Drawing to Music Art Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  14. Poking Bin: Fine Motor Skills Fun (Busy Toddler)
  15. Baby Doll Hair Cuts (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  16. Fine Motor Tweezers – The OT Toolbox
  17. Leaf Counting Wands (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  18. Fine motor skill pipette activity for finger gyms (Nuture Store)
  19. Bottle Cap Fine Motor Play (Fantastic Fun and Learning)
  20. Salt Writing Tray: Fun Sensory Activity for Preschoolers (Mom Brite)
  21. Clothespin Counting Activity for Preschoolers (School Time Snippets)
  22. Foil Puzzle Presents (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  23. Teaching Kids to Sew (Red Ted Art)
  24. Making Letters in Play Dough(School Time Snippets)
  25. Toddler fine motor activity. Pompoms and chopsticks (Learn With Play At Home)
  26. Building Fine Motor Skills: Feather Beading (Craft Play Learn)
  27. Spray the Flowers: Fine Motor Outdoor Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  28. Q-Tip Water Tracing (Happy Toddler Playtime)
  29. Clip the Colors (Little Ones Learn)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB5cp25BWkD/?igshid=19q9ier3j8nb
  1. Threading Holey Golf Balls (A Crafty Living)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BL-32qBhPRa/?taken-by=acraftyliving
  1. Fireworks Colour Match (7 Days of Play)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJV9pdbs2u4/?igshid=1g7iarikhu0ke
  1. Q-Tip Sheep (Happy Toddler Playtime)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNAXVuHFeg6/?igshid=1wjyx6xfuyll
  1. Fine Motor Alphabet and Coloured Water Activity (7 Days of Play)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNZ9oitsweQ/?igshid=1wjpj9socqybw
  1. Free the Ducks (Keep Kids Busy)
https://www.instagram.com/p/COiTtW7FWkf/?igshid=spvzo9dxen83
  1. Blossom Play Dough Squash (Harry Louis Adventures)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CON6D-qFral/?igshid=1nvv7lob70ghc

Even More Ways to Improve Fine Motor Skills

Check out these three round up of activities that are great for developing and strengthening fine motor muscles in toddlers and preschoolers.

  • 21+ Spray Bottle Fine Motor Ideas
  • 40+ Easy Play Dough Activities
  • 30+ Rescue Missions: Fun Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers
  • 50+ Prewriting Activities for Preschoolers
  • 20+ Gluing Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE FINE MOTOR SKILL CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER? PIN IT FOR LATER!

100+ Fine Motor Activities For Kids - Happy Toddler Playtime (2)
100+ Fine Motor Activities For Kids - Happy Toddler Playtime (2024)

FAQs

What is an example of a fine motor skill performed by a toddler? ›

Examples of fine motor skills are: buttoning up a shirt. holding a pencil. picking up food.

See More ›
What are the activities for fine motor skills for children? ›

Provide interesting experiences which help children practice fine motor skills. Cooking, gardening, sewing, fixing and making things are all good examples of activities that involve using tools and small movements with accuracy and precision.

Continue Reading ›
What is a good fine motor skill activity for a 6 year old? ›

You can help your child develop their fine motor skills with these simple everyday actions: When your child works on a craft, draws a picture, or writes a card, they improve their hand-eye coordination and improve their ability to handle pencils, brushes, and scissors.

Read The Full Story ›
What is an example of a play activity that can enhance gross and fine motor skills? ›

Specific activities that support gross motor development include running at different speeds, jumping rope, playing hopscotch, tossing and catching balls of different sizes, pitching bean bags, climbing in many different directions, pedaling riding toys, pulling wagons or toys, pushing toy strollers or brooms, and ...

Find Out More ›
What are the big 6 fine motor skills? ›

Precision teachers often build frequencies on the Big 6 + 6, which include reach, touch, point, place, grasp, release, push, pull, shake, squeeze, tap, and twist (Binder, Haughton, & Bateman, 2002; Desjardins 1995).

Tell Me More ›
What is an activity that requires fine motor skills? ›

Fine motor skills involve the use of the smaller muscle of the hands, commonly in activities like using pencils, scissors, construction with lego or duplo, doing up buttons and opening lunch boxes.

Show Me More ›
Which type of play uses a child's fine motor skills? ›

Manual play

This is play that uses fine manual skills to put or fit pieces of equipment together e.g. interlocking building blocks such as Lego, Duplo, jigsaw pieces, train sets.

Learn More ›
What is an example of a fine motor delay? ›

Difficulty tying shoelaces. Unable to do up buttons/zips. Scribbly drawing. Poor handwriting.

View More ›
What is fine motor development of 5 to 6 years old? ›

Follow your child's fine motor skill development from age 5 to 6. Fine motor skill development allows your child to use the little muscles in their hands and fingers to pick up and handle small objects. It also involves learning to use both hands at the same time to perform manual tasks.

Get More Info Here ›
How to support a 3 year old's motor development? ›

Michigan State University Extension suggests the following activities for children to take part in to develop fine motor skills:
  1. Dressing and undressing dolls.
  2. Playing with blocks.
  3. Threading beads.
  4. Sand play.
  5. Using different size containers for water play.
  6. Coloring.
  7. Tearing paper for collages.
  8. Manipulating zippers and snaps.
Dec 5, 2012

Discover More ›

What are sensory motor skills for toddlers? ›

Sensory motor skills allow a child to express through physical activity the information they receive through their senses, including sight, hearing, touch, balance, and proprioception, or awareness of knowing where the body is in space is used.

View More ›
What is a good example of a fine motor skill? ›

For example, fine motor skills are needed for things like self-feeding, dressing and undressing, grooming/bathing, toothbrushing, writing, and even texting. For a child, fine motor skills are important for completing school work such as drawing, coloring, and writing their name.

Tell Me More ›
What activities support fine motor development? ›

Ten Activities to Develop Fine Motor Skills
  • Holding a pencil.
  • Tying their shoelaces.
  • Feeding themselves.
  • Cutting along straight and curved lines.
  • Opening lunch boxes.
  • Drawing circles and crosses.
  • Building things with blocks.
  • Making sculptures with materials like Playfoam®
Aug 16, 2023

View More ›
What are the two types of motor skills? ›

Motor skills are categorized as gross motor skills or fine motor skills. A person needs to have mastered both to acquire solid movement. Gross motor skills involve the arms, legs, and trunk of the body. Fine motor skills involve small muscle groups such as movements in the hand or wrist.

Read More ›
Which of the following fine motor skills is learned during the toddler years? ›

Your child's fine motor skills will develop through every day actions and at playtime with activities that involve grasping, holding, and pressing. They also will perfect the pincer grasp first through feeding and then through play and eventually by dressing themselves.

See Details ›
What are fine motor skills problems in toddlers? ›

Fine motor delay occurs when a child has difficulty with the movement of their small muscle groups. Fine motor skills require hand-eye coordination so a child can respond with the right movements. They also help children speak by coordinating the movement of their facial muscles, lips, and tongue.

Read More ›
Which two of the following are examples of fine motor skills? ›

Examples of Fine Motor Skills
  • Dialing the phone.
  • Turning doorknobs, keys, and locks.
  • Putting a plug into a socket.
  • Buttoning and unbuttoning clothes.
  • Opening and closing zippers.
  • Fastening snaps and buckles.
  • Tying shoelaces.
  • Brushing teeth and flossing.
Feb 11, 2024

Show Me More ›
What is the best example of a fine motor skill we may see in a baby toddler? ›

Reaches for an object with right or left hand. Shakes a rattle. Uses a raking grasp (all fingers at the same time) to pick up small objects. Transfers a small object from one hand to the other • 7-8 months: Child uses an inferior pincer grasp (pads of thumb and index finger) to pick up small objects like Cheerios.

Keep Reading ›

References

Top Articles
51 Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Kind of Aesthetic
The 50 Mile Garage Sale on Route 90 in the Finger Lakes Guide - Exploring Upstate
Is popcorn really easy to digest? here's the surprising truth - Taste Pursuits
Smartfood Popcorn Flavors Ranked Worst To Best - Mashed
Unveiling The Truth: "Livvy Dunne Only Fans Leaked" - Exclusive Insights And Revelations
Unveiling The Impact Of "livvy Dunne Leaked": Insights And Discoveries
best vietnamese food san francisco
Top 20 places for Gel Nails Pedicure in Netherlands - Treatwell
What are the top 10 tech stocks to buy?
What is the technology revolution in banking?
Qpublic Adel Ga
Costco Oil Change Hours
Latest Posts
From Magic to "Maggie May'
Read Wild Magic by Madeline Freeman online for free
Article information

Author: Aracelis Kilback

Last Updated:

Views: 6190

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aracelis Kilback

Birthday: 1994-11-22

Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

Phone: +5992291857476

Job: Legal Officer

Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.