Top 10 Fine Motor Activities to Try at Home: Enhancing Your Child's Development
- Youth OT
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Here are the top 10 Occupational Therapist-approved fine motor activities you can do using everyday items at home:
1. Peg and Pom Pom Pick-Up
Use tweezers or tongs to transfer pom poms into cups. This strengthens the pincer grasp and coordination.
2. Playdough Pinch and Roll
Squish, pinch, and roll playdough into shapes, animals, or letters. Add beads to find and dig out.
3. Sticker Peel & Place
Let your child peel and place stickers on paper. Great for developing finger strength and control.
4. Threading Beads or Pasta
String beads, penne pasta, or buttons onto shoelaces. Focus on using a pincer grip.
5. Water Dropper Target Practice
Use a dropper to squeeze water onto targets drawn on a sponge or paper towel.
6. Cutting Along Lines
Give your child paper with straight, zigzag, or curved lines to cut using child-safe scissors.
7. Coin Sorting and Flipping
Use coins or buttons for sorting by size and colour, and practise flipping them over using fingers.
8. Lego or Small Construction
Playing with Lego encourages bilateral coordination, grip strength, and planning.
9. Clothespin Matching Game
Clip coloured clothespins to matching coloured cards or shapes.
10. Drawing on Vertical Surfaces
Stick paper to a wall or easel. Drawing vertically improves wrist and shoulder stability.
Tip: Repetition is key—try rotating activities throughout the week.
Why These Top 10 Fine Motor Activities Work
All of these tasks build:
Hand strength
Dexterity
Bilateral coordination
Pencil control foundations
Need support or guidance on your child’s fine motor development? Youth OT provides individualised assessments and home program suggestions as part of our therapy services.
📍Gold Coast & Northern NSW |
☎️ 1300 704 734
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