Fine Motor Skill Development for Toddlers
Looking for a fun way for your toddler to develop fine motor skills and color recognition?
This DIY bottle cap rainbow is perfect for twisting, dropping, and color sorting!
Read on below for the simple how-to video and instructions for a fun and budget-friendly way to strengthen fine motor skills!
This pom pom drop with a twist, is a simple cardboard creation that combines so many fun skills in one! From fine motor skill development, to rainbow color recognition, and color sorting, there is so much for a kiddo to explore! Bonus points for keeping things low budget by using recyclables to create this!
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Skills: Fine Motor Skills
Ages: 2-3 Years
Prep Time: 30 Min
Watch the video to see this DIY fine motor toy in action!
To set up this activity, provide objects to be dropped inside the rainbow. In this case, pom poms. However, it is important to note that pom poms are a choking hazard and require adult supervision for children under 3 years old. If there is any concern, swap pom poms for something edible like colorful cereal!
Show your toddler how the caps can screw and unscrew, and how the pom poms can be dropped inside the holes. As your child picks up a new color, describe it’s color and point to it’s corresponding opening. Enjoy watching that beautiful pincher grasp grab and push!
Watch the video to see this DIY fine motor toy in action!
To set up this activity, provide objects to be dropped inside the rainbow. In this case, pom poms. However, it is important to note that pom poms are a choking hazard and require adult supervision for children under 3 years old. If there is any concern, swap pom poms for something edible like colorful cereal!
Show your toddler how the caps can screw and unscrew, and how the pom poms can be dropped inside the holes. As your child picks up a new color, describe it’s color and point to it’s corresponding opening. Enjoy watching that beautiful pincher grasp grab and push!
Materials
-
Cardboard box
-
6 bottle caps, including the screw bottom
-
Tempera Paint Sticks
-
Dot Stickers
- Hot glue or strong tape to secure
- Pom Poms, or something small to drop through the holes
Use something edible, like blueberries, raisins, or Cherrios if there is any concern that your little one will put the items in their mouths)
-
Cardboard box
-
6 bottle caps, including the screw bottom
-
Tempera Paint Sticks
-
Dot Stickers
- Hot glue or strong tape to secure
-
Pom Poms, or something small to drop through the holes. (use something edible, like blueberries, raisins, or Cherrios if there is any concern that your little one will put the items in their mouths)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
To make a rainbow shape, trace and cut 6 circles on the cardboard (I used one of the lids for tracing)
Step 2
Insert the screw end of the lid inside the box, using glue or tape to secure.
Step 3
Decorate your rainbow! Use a paint stick, marker, or crayon to make a circle around the screw ends on the cardboard, and then add a corresponding dot sticker on top of the lid.
Step 4
Now it’s ready for your kiddo to unscrew, push something inside the hole, and color coordinate!
Step 1
To make a rainbow shape, trace and cut 6 circles on the cardboard (I used one of the lids for tracing)
Step 2
Insert the screw end of the lid inside the box, using glue or tape to secure.
Step 3
Decorate your rainbow! Use a paint stick, marker, or crayon to make a circle around the screw ends on the cardboard, and then add a corresponding dot sticker on top of the lid.
Step 4
Now it’s ready for your kiddo to unscrew, push something inside the hole, and color coordinate!
Why are fine motor skills important?
It is never too early to start strengthening fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are important because they involve crucial strengthening of small muscles in the hands. Fine motor skills are ones we aren’t born with, but which are necessary for everyday tasks. Think: holding a pencil, using a spoon, buttoning a shirt, tying shoelaces, to name a few!
Why are fine motor skills important?
It is never too early to start strengthening fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are important because they involve crucial strengthening of small muscles in the hands. Fine motor skills are ones we aren’t born with, but which are necessary for everyday tasks. Think: holding a pencil, using a spoon, buttoning a shirt, tying shoelaces, to name a few!
Four Toys for Fine Motor Skills Strenthening.
Need some ideas for store-bought toys that are great for fine motor skill development Here are my top picks of toys for toddlers that are great for strengthening hand muscles, with a particular focus on pincher grasp!
These big, bright beads snap together and pull apart, enhancing fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination!
A beautiful stacking puzzle, great for fine motor skills thought building and balancing and iSTEM concepts.
Perfect for that pincher grasp! Little hands can build fine motor skills as they help the hedgehog by giving it his quills back!
An awesome board to develop fine motor skills directly. Also incorporates color recognition and number learning!
What’s Next?
Need some ideas for store-bought toys that are great for fine motor skill development Here are my top picks of toys for toddlers that are great for strengthening hand muscles, with a particular focus on pincher grasp!
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