All children develop on their own schedule, while one may be excellent at climbing stairs at 2, another can’t but can identify all the letters in the alphabet. Our job is to provide rich , experience filled days not to drill them with facts and skills they aren’t ready for. Here are 3 fun ways to work on fine motor skills that allow for exploration as well as fine tuning.
Play Dough Treasure Hunt
Young children love finding things, I don’t know about you but I hear “Look Mama, looooook!” many many times a day, sometimes when I take the little hand pulling me I am surprised with a tower of blocks, sometimes his favorite garbage truck that he’s shown me with the same enthusiasm five times already that day. Activities like this tap into that and throws in an extra challenge. Dig around, count what you’ve found or discover that if you press hard on a button with holes that “Wiggly worms” appear. * Thanks to Teri for reminding me of this activity in a comment a few months ago! 
Playdough Cutting
Playdough Cutting
Using scissors is tricky. To help ease your child into learning I like to use play-dough, and very dull plastic safety scissors. These scissors will cut paper but not without just the right amount of pressure. However they cut play dough perfectly every time. This way your little person can focus on the grip and co-ordination of opening and closing , not fiddling with the paper, or angles they are cutting at. Also if they are getting frustrated, if they aren’t ready, simply remove the scissors and start creating something with the play-dough.
Marshmallow Building
This is a fine motor activity for older kids, it takes a lot of coordination and a good heaping of patience to build even simple structures out of marshmallows and toothpicks. After a day the marshmallows will harden and the sculpture will be sturdier. 
My son decided a snack was more fun , but at least he used the toothpicks.
My son decided a snack was more fun , but at least he used the toothpicks.
Need a playdough recipe ?
Check out what happened when I tested out readers recipes!
Letters,Numbers and Books says
her favorite fine motor is her monthly sensory tub I make up and writing
http://lettersnumbersandbooksohmy.blogspot.com/2009/05/ladybug-hunt-sensory-tub-mays-sensory.html
She is a great cutter now and its all due to playdoh cutting when she was really little!
MommaYoung says
Oh Wow, those are some great ideas. Thanks so much for sharing…
Allie says
Shannon that sensory tub is fantastic! I have never thought of using bug buttons like that, wonderful!
Charlee says
My son has aspergers and has issues with fine motor skills thanks for the ideas!! Our OT uses some of the ones listed but more is always better.
Beverly says
great stuff!
Megret says
I love the marshmallow idea! Just wish I could find some multicolored marshmallows near me…
My children both love cutting playdough “snakes.”
Jennifer says
I love the idea of hiding things in playdough. I will have to try that one real soon.
Annette says
I have a suggestion for next time…gumdrops instead of marshmallows! They work well. I used to teach a class called Mini Structures…
I’m hoping you can help me. Did you post about a month ago about the book called Ten Apples up on Top? I’m trying to figure out who might have done it…I have the book now, but didn’t bookmark the activity. Bummer. Let me know if you can help!
Allie says
Great suggestion!
I didn’t post anything with 10 apples up on top, but I am interested to see it when you find it.
Teri says
Yay! Glad to help! The “bead hunt” is one of my students’ favorite activities…and they also love hiding them for the next student to find!!
PS – sorry for the delete! TYPOS!
Allie says
Teri I am so glad you saw the post, I have been in a car all day and was wondering if you’d see it!
Thanks again!
In my PreK class we often put pennies and nickles in and had the kids keep going until they got ten cents .
Anissa says
Love you site and all the activities. I started kids corner on Saturday– to share activities for the summer. I homeschool so I’m putting some away for when school starts. TFs
Tara aka "Mama Koala" says
Love the treasure hunt idea! I have an award for you at my blog–please stop by:-)
April says
I was looking for fine motor activities for my 4 year old. I have learned a sheet of small stickers, and a blank 3×5 card are miraculous. He was so excited. We turned it over and made it into a postcard when he was finished, and sent it to grandma. Almost no alteration required. Just draw a line down the middle and address it on the right. A quick note on the left and a cheap stamp. Voila.