5 fine motor skill games you can make in under 5 minutes

5 fine motor skill games you can make in under 5 minutes

By now, you know I love to create new games. Why spend a fortune on toys and activities when we can make things using material we already have on hand? In this article, you will find five games that are perfect for putting little fingers to work. I promise, you can start your timer and each of these simple games will be ready in less than five minutes.

Homemade lacing game

You will need:

• Drinking straws, different colors
  
• Pipe cleaners
• Flexible cords (for older children)

Cut the drinking straws into pieces (different lengths). Deposit them in a container. Add pipe cleaners and flexible cords. Encourage children to thread the pieces onto the pipe cleaners or flexible cords. To increase the level of difficulty, create colourful patterns or invite children to sort them by color or size.

Lacing shower curtain rings

You will need:

• A cardboard box
• Pipe cleaners
• Shower curtain rings, foam swimming pool noodles sliced into pieces, etc.

To begin, make tiny holes in the cardboard box. Insert a pipe cleaner in every other hole. Hand children the shower curtain rings or foam noodle rings and have them slide each one onto a pipe cleaner before inserting the other end of the pipe cleaner in the nearest empty hole.

Pompom bottles
You will need:

• A few plastic bottles
• A cardboard box
• Crayons
• Pompoms, different colors
• Tweezers

Cut the bottom of the cardboard box. Draw 2, 3, or 4 circles using different colors. Cut each plastic bottle horizontally and discard the bottom portions. Position one cut bottle on each circle. Use adhesive putty or tape to hold the bottles in place. Encourage children to use the tweezers to grab hold of a pompom and insert it in the bottle that is resting on the corresponding color.

Insertion game
You will need:

• Pipe cleaners
• A plastic container or a paper drinking glass
• Crayons or poster paint

Punch holes in the bottom of the plastic container and set it upside down. Color each hole using a different color. Make sure the pipe cleaner colors correspond to the colors you choose to use. Children insert each pipe cleaner in a hole of the same color.

Don't touch the ribbons
You will need:

• A cardboard box or a basket (see picture)
• Ribbon or string
• Pompoms
• Tweezers

If you are using a cardboard box, punch holes all the way around it. Insert your ribbon or string in a hole and tie a knot. Thread the ribbon or string through the remaining holes to create what looks a lot like a spider web. Place the pompoms in the bottom of the box. Using the tweezers, children try to extract the pompoms one at a time without touching the ribbon or string. Repeat this activity as often as you wish if children continue to show an interest.

Have fun creating these simple games!

Maude Dubé, Specialized educator