• About
  • NEW Digital Handwriting Workshop
    • How to Teach Handwriting to Kids VIDEO
    • Printable Handwriting Handouts
    • Handwriting Letter Progression
  • SHOP
  • Want online therapy services?

Kids Play Smarter

Maximizing your child's play with purposeful activities

  • Fine Motor Activities
  • Gross Motor Activities
  • Handwriting Help
  • Sensory Regulation
  • Therapist’s Tips
You are here: Home / Archives for Fine Motor Activities

Water Balloon Learning Games

July 3, 2017 by Amy Smith

Play water balloon games with an educational twist. Perfect for children who are learning spelling words, numbering, order, and size comparisons.

If you want to really add a splash of excitement to academics, then transform water balloons into learning games!  In addition to being a great activity to do together, I always find … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Gross Motor Activities Tagged With: education, learning activities

Educational Seek-And-Find Slime Games

June 26, 2017 by Amy Smith

Ooey gooey textures have fascinated kids for generations.  With the advent of new gooey products on the market and many DIY recipes, it's easier than ever to get your hands on some … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: education, learning activities, sensory activities

Shaving Cream Balloon Face

June 15, 2017 by Amy Smith

Make a shaving cream balloon face educational by adding learning concepts like numbers, shapes, or letters underneath shaving cream on a face and wipe it away to see what's underneath! Perfect for young kids learning basic academics.

Your child will have a blast playing this game while utilizing their fine motor, visual perceptual, and sensory tactile skills! Add in some academic concepts and you have a learning … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: fine motor activities, sensory activities, tactile activities

Fidget Spinners’ Therapeutic Benefits

May 17, 2017 by Amy Smith

Fidget spinners can benefit kids and adults in therapeutic ways while also being a mainstreamed, "mom approved" tool.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am delighted that these new fidget spinners are so popular!  For years, I've been recommending different kinds of fidgets to kids who are antsy, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: fidgets, spinners

Sensory Sentence Boxes

April 24, 2017 by Amy Smith

Sensory sentences boxes are perfect for kids who are learning how to read because they include more senses to enhance learning. FInd out how to make one for your child.

Beginner readers who are learning how to decode and read words can feel a disconnect between the letters on the page with the actual meanings of the words themselves. Greater and more … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: learning activities, reading

Everyday Activities Building Fine Motor Strength

March 19, 2017 by Amy Smith

Discover 30 fine motor strengthening activities for kids that are found in everyday actions. Perfect for improving hand strength for kids of all ages. Check it out here!

There are endless ways to improve our fine motor strength all around us.   Great fine motor strengthening exercises are often pleasantly "disguised" as fun everyday activities. Many … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: fine motor activities, hand strengthening

Counting & Sorting Coins in Pots of Gold

February 28, 2017 by Amy Smith

This math game teaches kids how to identify, count, and sort coins. It's perfect for the classroom or homeschool learning.

Need a quick and easy math game to teach money skills?  Try this Counting and Sorting Coins in Pots of Gold Game! This game only takes a matter of minutes to set up and can be adapted … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: learning activities, math games

DIY Card Holder

January 29, 2017 by Amy Smith

DIY card holder makes holding playing cards simple! This is perfect for kids and also those with arthritis, tremors, and limited hand strength. Don't miss out on another game of cards!

Do you know someone who has difficulty holding playing cards?  Maybe a young child or someone with arthritis or hand weakness?  Fortunately, they don't have to sit out of card games any … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: hand modifications, playing cards, special needs

Picking Spelling Flowers

January 20, 2017 by Amy Smith

Make learning more fun with this kids' game! Teach spelling words, letters, numbers, or shapes to your kids with these flowers. Perfect for school or home!

Add some fun to your child's spelling list or sight words with this adorable Picking Spelling Flowers game!   Learning with plain old notecards gets boring for kids, so transform the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: learning activities, preschool, school activities

Teaching Kids Pencil Grasp

November 30, 2016 by Amy Smith

Teach your kids how to hold a pencil properly with these simple tips that make writing easier for your kids!

Pencil grasps can be a difficult concept for kids to master.  Pencil grasps require hand strength, motor planning and coordination, plus a little instruction along the way.  Give your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Handwriting Help Tagged With: handwriting skills, learning activities, pencil grasp

The Teaching Turkey

November 19, 2016 by Amy Smith

Incorporate academics like shapes, colors, letters, and numbers into this kids' turkey craft to transform it to a learning game.

Looking for ways to "sneak" in some academics into craft time?  This Teaching Turkey game combines the fine motor skills needed for a craft project with the academic practice of a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: crafts, learning activities, Thanksgiving

Scissor Secrets that make Cutting Easy

November 15, 2016 by Amy Smith

Learn these scissor secrets to make cutting easy for your child. Tips include ideas for hand strengthening, wrist positioning, and visual cues.

Learning how to cut is a big milestone for your child and cutting skills are expected to be mastered by elementary school.  Yet learning how to properly hold and manipulate scissors can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: cutting, fine motor activities, scissor skills

7 Uses for Left Over Candy

October 25, 2016 by Amy Smith

Transform left over candy from the holidays into motivating kids' games that improve fine motor and academic skills.

Think about all candy your child accumulates at parties surrounding birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter. Yep, when you buy bulk candy the only … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: academic activities, fine motor activities, Holidays

Easiest Way to Tie Shoes

October 18, 2016 by Amy Smith

Learn a new technique that makes shoe tying easier for kids. This method is especially good for kids with fine motor or visual motor deficits. Watch the video to find out how to do it today!

Want to learn the easiest way to tie shoes? Being able to tie your own shoes can feel like a right of passage for kids and in their minds, it's what can transform them into official … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: dressing, self-care skills, Shoe tying

Applesauce Etch-O-Sketch

October 1, 2016 by Amy Smith

Teach your child shapes, letters, and numbers with this hands-on applesauce etch-o-sketch activity. Grab some applesauce and get to learning today!

Motivating children to learn new academic concepts like letters, numbers, words, and shapes can be challenging.  You may have tried using worksheets and notecards, but those methods … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: academic activities, learning activities, preschool

Shape-O-Lantern

September 24, 2016 by Amy Smith

Find out how to make this cute craft activity for kids while teaching them about shapes, colors, and patterns

Skip out on the pumpkin carving mess and instead grab some felt pieces to make this adorable shape-o-lantern that your little 'pumpkins' will love!   The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: crafts, learning letters, preschool

Sensory Smart Treasure Hunt!

July 12, 2016 by Amy Smith

Reaching into a big bowl to find a "hidden treasure" is ever so tempting for many kids, so why not increase the educational value of this game so that it's a "sensory smart" treasure … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: learning activities, sensory activities, tactile activities

Finger Pinchin’ French Fries!

June 25, 2016 by Amy Smith

This game is sure to motivate even the most unmotivated child!! Kids love games that incorporate food, especially really enticing food like french fries! This french fry game develops … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: fine motor activities, hand stregthening, learning activities

Princess Counting Crowns

June 10, 2016 by Amy Smith

If your little one loves dressing up like a princess, then this is the activity for you! This princess counting crown combines the fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and visual … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities Tagged With: fine motor activities, math skills, princess activity, toddlers

Top 10 Foods For Improving Fine Motor Skills

May 30, 2016 by Amy Smith

The ways to improve your child’s fine motor skills are really limitless, but finding methods that are both functional and motivating will yield the best results.   Using … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: fine motor activities, foods, hand strengthening

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in