Best Toys and Activities That Promote Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills refer to the ability to use the small muscles of the hands and fingers to perform precise movements. Fine motor skills are important for many everyday activities, such as writing, drawing, buttoning clothes, using utensils, and using electronic devices. They are also important for more complex activities, such as playing musical instruments, typing, and engaging in sports. These skills can be developed through various activities, such as playing with toys that require manipulation, drawing, and engaging in crafts. 

Here are some activities that can help improve fine motor skills and increase independence:

• LEGO blocks: Building with LEGO blocks requires children to manipulate small objects and develop their hand-eye coordination.
• Play-Doh: Squishing, rolling, and shaping Play-Doh helps children build strength in their fingers and hands.
• Puzzles: Putting together puzzles helps children develop their hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills.
• Stringing beads: Stringing beads help children develop their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity.
• Drawing and coloring: Drawing and coloring help children develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity.
• Building with blocks: Building with blocks helps children develop their hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills.
• Cutting and pasting: Cutting and pasting activities help children develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity.
• Tweezers and tongs: Using tweezers and tongs to pick up small objects such as beads, pompoms, or cotton balls can help children develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and grasp
• Building sets: Building sets such as LEGO, K’NEX, or Magna-Tiles can help children develop their fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving abilities

Here is a small list of specific toys that can be used to help fine motor skills: 

Fat Brain Toys Squigz, Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Pets, Fat Brain Toys Dimpl, Hape Mighty Mini Band Wooden Percussion Instrument, Learning Resources Fine Motor Hedgehog, ​​wooden blocks, shape sorters, nesting cups, and peg puzzles

*It’s very important to choose toys that are age-appropriate and safe for your child to use. All toys should have a recommended age on the label*

Author Kaci has been practicing as an occupational therapist for two years after studying at Northern Arizona University for her Bachelor’s and Doctorate. As a school-based occupational therapist, she commonly assists children with learning difficulties in the area of fine motor development and handwriting skills. She and many therapists of the Mariposa schools team (speech, occupational, and physical) treat children and adolescents with difficulties participating in the classroom independently around the Phoenix-Metro Valley.