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

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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.

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.

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!

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

Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

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

More Fine Motor Activities for Kids

41. Cardboard Tube Yarn Threading (Happy Toddler Playtime)
42. Toddlers Love Hammering Tees into a Box! (Hands On As We Grow)
43. Fine Motor Skills Activity with Beads (Toddler Approved)
44. Counting Hearts Wand (Happy Toddler Playtime)
45. Hole Punch Fine Motor Activity (The Resourceful Mama)
46. Fine Motor Activity to Keep Kids Busy When You Need It (Hands On As We Grow)
47. (Happy Toddler Playtime)
48. Connect the Stickers Fine Motor Activity for Kids (Toddler Approved)
49. DIY Alphabet Fine Motor Activity for Preschool (Active Littles)
50. Flower Fine Motor Threading (Happy Toddler Playtime)
51. Peeling Tape Fine Motor Activity (Messy Little Monsters)
52. Baby Doll Haircuts (Happy Toddler Playtime)
53. Feed the Caterpillar Pom Pom Drop (Happy Toddler Playtime)
54. Highlighter Trace – a Fine Motor Activity for Preschoolers (Days with Grey)
55. Pom Pom Water Transfer (Happy Toddler Playtime)
56. Pom Pom Drop Sticky Wall (Happy Toddler Playtime)
57. Pool Noodle Fine Motor Play (the Mundane and The Miraculous Life)
58. Lego Car Wash Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)
59. Sticky Tape Shapes (Happy Toddler Playtime)
60. Feed the Frog (Therapy Fun Zone)
61. Spagetti Drop Fine Motor Sensory Bin for Toddlers
62. Hole Punch Turkey Counting
63. Bear Boat Rescue; Fine Motor Activity (Days with Grey)
64. Play Dinner Rescue Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)
65. Spaghetti Bead Towers Fine Motor Activity (Glitter On A Dime)
66. Feed the Animals: An Easy Toddler Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)

More Fine Motor Activities for Kids

67. Moon Rock Letters Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)
68. Bead & Button Pipe Cleaner Bracelets (Glitter On a Dime)
69. Fine motor activity using a spiky ball and loom bands (Laughing Kids Learn)
70. Dinosaur Bones Sticky Wall (Happy Toddler Playtime)
71. Baby Doll Bandaid Shape Matching Play Activity (Finding Myself Young)
72. Rocket Ship Clothespin Counting Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
73. Colour Matching Cotton Tip Push Toddler Activity (My Bored Toddler)
74. Simple Fine Motor Activity with Paper Clips (Hands On As We Grow)
75. Fine motor ribbon and whisk activity (Laughing Kids Learn)
76. Ice Sensory Bin (Happy Toddler Playtime)
77. Pipe Cleaner and Cardboard Box
78. Fine Motor with Keys in Play Dough (My Bored Toddler)
79. Drawing to Music Art Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
80. Poking Bin: Fine Motor Skills Fun (Busy Toddler)
81. Baby Doll Hair Cuts (Happy Toddler Playtime)
82. Fine Motor Tweezers – The OT Toolbox
83. Leaf Counting Wands (Happy Toddler Playtime)
84. Fine motor skill pipette activity for finger gyms (Nuture Store)
85. Bottle Cap Fine Motor Play (Fantastic Fun and Learning)
86. Salt Writing Tray: Fun Sensory Activity for Preschoolers (Mom Brite)
87. Clothespin Counting Activity for Preschoolers (School Time Snippets)
88. Foil Puzzle Presents (Happy Toddler Playtime)
89. Teaching Kids to Sew (Red Ted Art)
90. Making Letters in Play Dough(School Time Snippets)
91. Toddler fine motor activity. Pompoms and chopsticks (Learn With Play At Home)
92. Building Fine Motor Skills: Feather Beading (Craft Play Learn)
93. Spray the Flowers: Fine Motor Outdoor Activity (Happy Toddler Playtime)
94. Q-Tip Water Tracing (Happy Toddler Playtime)
95. Clip the Colors (Little Ones Learn)

96. Threading Holey Golf Balls (A Crafty Living)

97. Fireworks Colour Match (7 Days of Play)

98. Q-Tip Sheep (Happy Toddler Playtime)

99. Fine Motor Alphabet and Coloured Water Activity (7 Days of Play)

100. Free the Ducks (Keep Kids Busy)

101. Blossom Play Dough Squash (Harry Louis Adventures)

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!