Easy Fine Motor Tray for Preschool

Tray activities are great for preschool, and this one is an easy one to send home or have parents make at home for remote learning. It’s an updated version of my favorite fine motor tray that isn’t as easy to put together because it uses floral foam, which can be tricky to find. As we prep for an uncertain back to school season, I’m gathering ideas to make remote learning as dynamic as possible if we are thrown into it again. Being able to send home materials like this so students can work on fine motor, color matching, and counting skills at home without overwhelming their parents and caregivers is part of that preparation. Of course, if you are a parent, you can throw this together ow and have fun using it while you prep dinner, need a few minutes to finish up that conference call or scroll through Instagram.

How To Make A Fine Motor Tray

Gather your materials. You will need a cookie sheet ( any tray works, this one is $1, so that’s why I use them so much), chenille stems, beads that fit over the chenille stems, and some washing tape. If you are going to make this a counting tray, you’ll need some permanent markers too.

Cut your chenille stems, so they aren’t too long.

Tape them onto the tray with washi tape. You can use any tape, but washi tape is cute and peels off if you want to use the tray for something else after. And yes, the tape I used held the stems in place well.

Add the beads and invite a kiddo to come work on their fine motor skills.

 

Color matching!

If you want this to be a counting tray, add numbers if you don’t want to write them on the tray, use paper or tape.

Count and bead.

I hope this inspires you to think about what sort of materials you can easily make or have your students’ families make to keep the learning going at home if we are faced with more remote learning next school year.

 

 

More remote learning resources for teachers and parents can be found here.