Fine Motor Skills Activities

One of the most important skills toddlers learn are motor skills. Back in the day, this was a skill children learned without even knowing it. Or at least I believed. When I became a parent that changed. You read the books, you play with your toddler, you expand their horizons with exposing them to different sensory experiences to learn from in a safe environment.

When my boys were young I found out how important it is for children to learn fine motor skills. It's funny because once we have them down, we forget how frustrating it can be to not be able to do them. So take time with your toddlers on learning these new skills. Have patience and make it fun. Here are some fun ideas and games to play with your kids. 

One of the best parts of fine motor skills is sensory learning. There is no better way to learn than by doing. Many people are tactile learners and that is exactly what sensory learning is all about. All of the activities above are hands on. Let's face it. Children learn by their senses. Touch, taste, hear, and smell. The activities above are fun games to pay with your children, but they also give us opportunities to teach them about our senses. Take peeling stickers, how do they feel? It gives us as parents and care givers opportunities to talk and interact with our children broadening their vocabulary at the same time. 

This one is one of my favorites. A sensory winter scene. With this activity not only can you combine a few activities into one, and stay warm doing it, but it is something you can keep out during the holiday season. Just be sure to cover it so the fake snow doesn't dry out. For 3 great recipes on making fake snow hop on over to The Best Ideas for Kids website at:  www.thebestideasforkids.com.

Now you ask, what are the activities involved with this sensory scene that I thought of?
1) Outdoor play.
Remember that activity I had you do with creating bird feeder pine cones? Well, while you are out searching for those big beautiful pine cones to make those bird feeders, search for some smaller ones for your sensory winter scene bin. Talk to your child about how the pin cone feels in their hands. Does it feel dry and rough?

2) The large and small motor skills involved with this activity are:
a) Making the fake snow 
b) Enhancing your child's listening skills while building their vocabulary.

Finally:
3) You are creating a bond with your child neither of you will ever forget. 

 Now that your child has mastered some of these fine motor skills, it's time to strengthen those skills. The best way to do this is through.... you guessed it, more Play Time!

I used to love using a single hole punch with my boys to make simple snow flakes. Using scissors to create the snow flakes was always a fun activity too. After we were done we would pick our favorites and I would have the boys tape them to the windows in our dinning room. It was always a pleasant surprise for their dad to see when he came home. 

Notice I have on the list making something out of dough like pizza or cookies? No big surprise there since I am big with cooking with kids. There are so many lessons to learn with cooking, especially with making dough, the holding of the measuring cup = large motor, pouring liquid = fine motor, kneading the dough = large motor, dare I say math?! But let's leave that to the older kids for now, right now, let's just have fun! And don't forget vocabulary, and cherishing these memories together. 

Using a squirt gun for fine motor skills

I have to say this last activity, I wish I thought of it myself, but I can't take credit for this one. Thank you 123 Homeschool 4 Me for sharing this idea on your website. To check out their full write up on it click on over to find out more! 

All I can say with this activity is my boys would need a bath, and a wash of clothes even their hats, gloves and coats. But it would be so worth it. 

For more fun activities check out the links above and remember to make learning fun!

Until Next Time!

Enjoy the Moments, Cherish the Memories! - Cynthia