Fine Motor Skills Activities

Picture Activity Hands-On Activities Early Learning Goals Downloads
Activity One - Mark Making

Activity 1

Mark Making
  • Sensory
  • Continuing Patterns
  • Secret Messages
Activity Two - Threading

Activity 2

Threading
  • Card Shapes
  • Threading
  • Spaghetti
Activity Three - Cutting

Activity 3

Cutting
  • Beginning Tips
  • Practise Snipping
  • Magazines
  • Following A Trail
Activity Four - Stickers

Activity 4

Stickers
  • Sticker Match
  • Patterns
  • Make A Picture

Fine Motor Skills Activities

Mark Making

Activity 1

Mark Making

Hands-On Activities:
  • Sensory
  • Continuing Patterns
  • Secret Messages
Threading

Activity 2

Threading

Hands-On Activities:
  • Card Shapes
  • Threading
  • Spaghetti
Magnetic Letters

Activity 3

Magnetic Letters

Hands-On Activities:
  • Beginning Tips
  • Practise Snipping
  • Magazines
  • Following A Trail
Stickers

Activity 4

Stickers

Hands-On Activities:
  • Sticker Match
  • Patterns
  • Make A Picture

Fine Motor Activities for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a crucial time in a child's development, and fine motor skills are an important part of that development. Fine motor skills refer to the ability to move and control small muscles, particularly in the hands and fingers. Here are some fun and engaging activities that can help develop fine motor skills in young children.

Move Energetically

One of the best ways to develop fine motor skills is to move energetically. Encourage children to dance, jump, and run around the room. These movements help to build strength and coordination in the hands and fingers, which are essential for developing fine motor skills. You can also incorporate action songs and rhymes that involve finger movements, such as "Incy Wincy Spider" or "Five Little Ducks."

Games to Develop PD

There are many games and activities that can help develop fine motor skills. You can use toys such as building blocks, jigsaw puzzles, and threading beads to help children practice their hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Other activities that can help include playing with playdough, finger painting, and using scissors to cut out shapes and pictures.

Fine Motor Activities

There are many fine motor activities that you can use to help develop fine motor skills. These include using tweezers to pick up small objects, such as beads or buttons, or using a pegboard to create different patterns and shapes. Other activities that can help include threading shoelaces or pipe cleaners through holes, or using chopsticks to pick up small objects.

In conclusion, developing fine motor skills is an important part of a child's development. By incorporating fun and engaging activities into the EYFS curriculum, you can help children to develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Further Games in EYFS to Develop PD

Fine motor skills are an essential aspect of early childhood development. They refer to the coordination and control of small muscles in the hands and fingers. The development of fine motor skills is crucial, as it helps children perform essential everyday activities such as writing, drawing, and using scissors. In this article, we will be discussing four free topics on fine motor skills, each with multiple activity suggestions.

  • The first topic is "Grip and Pinch Strength." This topic focuses on developing and improving hand strength by utilizing play dough, finger painting, and cutting activities. Activities such as "Squeezing sponges" and "Picking up small objects with tweezers" can also be quite effective.
  • The second topic is "Hand-Eye Coordination." This topic involves activities that help children to develop their hand and eye coordination. Playing with building blocks, threading beads, and playing catch are some examples of activities that can help improve hand-eye coordination.
  • The third topic is "Finger Dexterity." This topic focuses on developing fine motor skills in the fingers. Activities such as "Lacing cards," "Playing with pegboards," and "Sorting small objects" can help in improving finger dexterity.
  • The fourth and final topic is "Pencil Control." This topic is crucial as it helps children develop the necessary skills for writing. Activities such as "Drawing with different types of pencils," "Tracing shapes," and "Using stencils" can help in developing pencil control.

With these free topics and their accompanying activity suggestions, you can help your child or student develop their fine motor skills in a fun and engaging way. Remember to keep it light and engaging, and your child or student will be on their way to developing excellent fine motor skills in no time!

More on Fine Motor Skills Development

Physical development is a crucial aspect of a child's early years. When it comes to fine motor skills, there are four key activities that can help children further develop their abilities. These activities include mark making, threading, cutting and stickers.

Mark making is a great way to help children develop their hand-eye coordination and control. You can encourage your child to draw simple shapes, letters, or even just scribble on a piece of paper. This activity can be done with a range of materials, such as pencils, crayons, or chalk.

Threading is another excellent activity that can help children improve their fine motor skills. You can use beads, pasta, or even Cheerios to create a fun and engaging threading activity. This activity can help children develop their hand-eye coordination and concentration.Cutting is a skill that children need to learn as they progress through their early years. You can start by giving your child safety scissors and letting them cut out simple shapes. This activity can help children develop their hand strength and coordination.

Cutting is a skill that children need to learn as they progress through their early years. You can start by giving your child safety scissors and letting them cut out simple shapes. This activity can help children develop their hand strength and coordination.

Stickers are a great way to help children develop their fine motor skills. You can give your child a sheet of stickers and encourage them to peel and stick them onto a piece of paper. This activity can help children develop their hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity.

In conclusion, physical development plays an essential role in a child's early years. By incorporating these four key activities into your child's routine, you can help them further develop their fine motor skills. Remember to make the activities fun and engaging, and your child will be sure to enjoy them.

Reception Mark Making Ideas

If you're looking for ways to help your little ones with their fine motor skills and mark-making abilities, you've come to the right place. For children aged 1-2, mark-making can be a fun and engaging way to develop their cognitive and physical skills. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Finger painting: This classic activity is a great way for children to explore different textures and colours while also improving their hand-eye coordination.
  • Playdough: Playing with playdough can help children develop their fine motor skills and hand strength. Encourage them to roll, squish and mould the dough into different shapes.
  • Chalk drawing: Take the activity outside and let your little ones use chalk to draw on the sidewalk or driveway. This activity can help them improve their grip and control when holding the chalk.
  • Water painting: Fill a bucket with water and give your child a paintbrush to "paint" the fence or outside wall. This activity can help them develop hand-eye coordination and control.
  • Crayon rubbings: Place different textured surfaces (such as leaves or coins) underneath a piece of paper and let your child use crayons to create rubbings. This activity can help them develop their hand strength and grip.

We hope these ideas help you create a fun and engaging learning environment for your little ones. Remember to always supervise children during these activities and have fun!

Discover Hands-On Education