Lacing Activity - How to Make a Toy for Preschoolers

Lacing Activity – How to Make a Toy for Preschoolers

lacing activity preschool threading apple diy

This lacing activity is great for strengthening fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. A super easy to make DIY toy! All you need are a few simple supplies to create this too!

A Budget Friendly Lacing Activity

This lacing activity is the perfect example of making something yourself instead of spending money on buying a toy! Of course, there are very similar products for sale that could definitely be purchased if your kiddo absolutely loves this lacing activity.

But making one out of cardboard and using very few supplies is a great way to test the toy out before making a bigger investment!

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Skills: Fine Motor Skills

Ages: 2 Years +

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

The Lacing Activity in Action

Here’s a snippet of my kiddo, 4 years old at the time, playing with this lacing activity.

He got such a kick out of seeing the “worm” go in and out of the apple that it just brings a whole new element of imagination and fun.

It’s a great way to have them excited about an activity that is working on their hand-eye coordination at the same time.

The Lacing Activity in Action

Here’s a snippet of my kiddo, 4 years old at the time, playing with this lacing activity.

He got such a kick out of seeing the “worm” go in and out of the apple that it just brings a whole new element of imagination and fun.

It’s a great way to have them excited about an activity that is working on their hand-eye coordination at the same time.

Tips for Creating this DIY Lacing Activity

Have fun with this activity! The kids can be a part of the process from start to finish! Let them draw the apple on cardboard, then cut it out! Great for scissor skills and confidence as well.

Use cardboard! If you get a lot of packages (like me!), it is a free crafting resource that has a super strong and durable texture!

Use tempera paint sticks! For coloring the apple and worm, we used tempera paint sticks. They come out super vibrant on cardboard which is not always the case with paint!

If you don’t have an extra long hole punch, use a sharp knife to create the holes!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Cut out an apple and worm shape on the cardboard. Involve the kids if you’d like and have them color.

Step 2

Use a hole punch and cut out the holes. You don’t have to do very many, but I would say 8-10 are great. Make sure to put them all over.

Step 3

Tie a piece of twine or yarn to the apple with the worm attached to the other end.

Step 4

Have the kids take the yarn and go through all the holes.

Step 1

Cut out an apple and worm shape on the cardboard. Involve the kids if you’d like and have them color.

Step 2

Use a hole punch and cut out the holes. You don’t have to do very many, but I would say 8-10 are great. Make sure to put them all over.

Step 3

Tie a piece of twine or yarn to the apple with the worm attached to the other end.

Step 4

Have the kids take the yarn and go through all the holes.

isThe Benefits of Lacing and Threading

Threading yarn through holes is a fun way to have kids concentrate and work their finger muscles. Lots of control and hand-eye coordination is required to get that yarn in the hole, but with a little patience, they can do it!

Another everyday item to strengthen fine motor skills are using clothespins/pegs! This dinosaur-themed activity, is a free printable you should definitely check out! Kids use pegs to give dinosaurs their “spikes” back!

For more fine motor skills activities, be sure to check out our comprehensive list!

dinosaur activity printable fine motor skills color recognition counting

isThe Benefits of Lacing and Threading

Threading yarn through holes is a fun way to have kids concentrate and work their finger muscles. Lots of control and hand-eye coordination is required to get that yarn in the hole, but with a little patience, they can do it!

Another everyday item to strengthen fine motor skills are using clothespins/pegs! This dinosaur-themed activity, is a free printable you should definitely check out! Kids use pegs to give dinosaurs their “spikes” back!

For more fine motor skills activities, be sure to check out our comprehensive list!