I love quick and easy activities that also sneaks in some fine motor skills practice. When I have more time, don't get me wrong I put some effort into setting up some {what I think are} fun activities, but it is always nice to have some simple go-to ideas to keep your little one busy.
Alas, I've got one for you to keep in your storehouse!
Seriously, it cannot get any simpler than this!! To set up your own super simple fine motor activity, grab a bunch of clothespins and basket.
If you do not have a similar basket like I have shown, this could easily be set up around the perimeter of a shoebox, or wire storage basket like this one.
Supplies:
Preschool Fine Motor Skills Activity
Simply arrange the clothespins all over the basket. I used three different sized clothespins--small, medium, and large, that I had in my craft closet from various other activities, but one size would work just the same.
It literally takes seconds to set up!
When ready, invite your child over to come work on that pincer grasp and take those clothespins off!
My daughter really LOVED the teeny tiny colorful clothespins; she said they were "so cute."
Extension Ideas:
To extend this activity you could also have your child sort them into different sizes, but Little Sis didn't want to do that.Or another option is to turn this into a game by adding a six-sided die
. Yes, we love "games" around here. Play alongside your child by taking turns rolling the die and pinching that many clothespins off the basket. When the clothespins have been taken off, each player counts how many clothespins they have. Player with the most, wins!
If one of your favorite fine motor manipulatives are clothespins too, you must check out these 11 ideas using clothespins!!
- Yarn Wrap Mummy Craft from Lalymom
- Chicken & Chicks Craft from Powerful Mothering
- Woollybear Caterpillar Yarn Craft from Stir the Wonder
- Simple Apple Weaving from P is for Preschooler
- Spider Sensory Bin Fine Motor Sensory Play from Little Bins For Little Hands
- Icy Eyeball Sensory Exploration from Still Playing School
