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As a pediatric occupational therapist, you’re always on the lookout for simple, fun, and effective fine motor activities to include in your home exercise plans. Whether you’re working with little ones in early intervention or school-aged kids who need extra motor support, these go-to activities are perfect for building foundational skills using items most families already have at home.
Below are four easy fine motor exercises you can recommend to parents—or use during sessions—to boost hand strength, coordination, and pre-writing skills in a playful way.
1. Bead Stringing
Bead stringing is a classic fine motor activity—and for good reason! It helps build hand coordination, bilateral skills, and in-hand manipulation.
How to do it:
- String beads onto a thin string or yarn for a more challenging activity.
- Use a pipe cleaner for an easier option that provides more stability for younger children.
Skills targeted:
- Fine motor coordination
- Fine motor control
- In-hand manipulation
- Bilateral integration (using both hands together)
- Sequencing and basic problem-solving
2. Clothespins on a Pipe Cleaner
This one’s a favorite for prepping little hands for cutting and writing. Kids use a tripod grasp to open and clip clothespins onto a pipe cleaner, engaging the same finger muscles used for scissor skills.
Why it’s great:
- Builds fine motor control
- Strengthens the small muscles needed for writing
- Improves finger isolation and precision
- Develops pre-scissor and pre-handwriting skills
Bonus: Turn it into a color-matching game to add a cognitive layer!
3. Modeling Foam for Hand Strength
Modeling foam is a sensory-rich material that’s both fun and functional. Use it to shape animals, press cookie cutters into it, or hide small objects (like dry beans or beads) inside for a hide-and-seek activity.
Benefits include:
- Sensory exploration and tactile feedback
- Deep pressure input to hands
- Hand strengthening
- Fine motor control
- Cognitive engagement through searching and retrieving
Pro tip: This is a great transition activity for sensory-seeking kids who benefit from proprioceptive input before a more structured task.
4. Tracing with Popsicle Sticks
For early writers, tracing lines with popsicle sticks is a low-pressure way to build visual-motor and handwriting readiness. Use the sticks to form straight lines or simple shapes (e.g., squares or triangles) and have the child trace them with their finger or a marker.
Skill areas supported:
- Visual cues for line tracing
- Pre-handwriting skill development
- Pencil grasp and control
- Pattern recognition
This activity can be scaffolded by drawing patterns to copy or introducing uppercase letter formations as your child progresses.
These fine motor activities are not only easy to implement, but they also offer meaningful opportunities for skill-building and confidence-boosting in young kids. Best of all, they require minimal setup and can be adjusted based on age and ability.
Whether you’re an OT creating a home program or a parent looking for therapist-approved activities, these ideas are a great place to start!
