Fine Motor Skills

Kids love legos! And there are so many different ways to use them, from kits, to big legos and small legos ("baby legos" as my students used to say). These are engaging and fun for kids to practice strengthening those little hands for writing, drawing, and coloring.

This actually spans two different categories- fine motors and sensory. Use a can or make your own- this is another favorite that helps build strength but also allows for creativity. Kids don't even realize they are learning! 

Playing with chalk is another great way to play especially outdoors in the summer time. Another way to practice drawing and writing, but bring it outside! Kids can draw a whole neighborhood, make a "Floor is Lava" game. There's also all sorts of sizes for little hands, different holders, and types of fun chalk nowadays!

You can find plastic tweezers at the dollar store or buy them online. Kids can practice picking up household items depending on their age- pasta, dried beans, beads, pom poms or other small toys. It can be fun to add these to a sensory bin (see sensory section). This is an activity that can easily be taken on the go as well!  

Lacing activities are so great because not only do they practice fine motors, but they build confidence and focus. These activities require children to sit and concentrate, which can be really a big task for littles! The best part is you can buy kits or make your own. 

One of my MOST favorite ways for little ones to practice with writing, drawing and coloring is for them to incorporate it into pretend play. Make a pretend restaurant with a menu. They can make the menus, write down the orders, and even color and cut pretend plates, cups, food if you're really feeling fancy! Make a list together before going to the grocery store. They can have theirs and you can have yours! 

Another fan favorite- stickers! You can get a big pack of stickers pretty inexpensively from almost any store. Just make sure your kiddo knows where stickers can be stuck (paper, posterboard, etc) and where they can't... walls? pets? You get the picture.