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Todays fine motor activity is all about scissors and cutting practice with a large amount of threading and manipulating.
The activity went down so well with the kids that they added a bunch of other things to do. My 2 year old and 5 year old did this activity together and you can clearly see the skill levels that they are at. My 2 year old preferred to thread her straws and my 5 year old wanted to cut and create things.
Warning: I went a bit picture crazy, so I have much to show you!
To start this fine motor activity you will need:
- Colorful Straws – I love these straws and they are the ones pictured.
- Proper Scissors – I have tried a few scissors in the last year and these pictured are by far my favorite. They handle well for the kids and haven’t brought on the frustration some of the others we tried out did.
- A Lace for threading
- Foam or sponge with a few toothpicks – I used our foam from when we did the tissue heart craft that is why it has color on it!
- All items are contained in an activity tray
First, cut off the tops of the straws so that you have an even straw on each side of the bends. Like in this image below. We will be using these with our more advanced preschooler.
Give the other straight bits to your toddler to practice cutting on. My 2 and half year old is still very new to using a scissors correctly. This is the first time she cut something that resisted her gentle cutting. We have previously cut playdough, foam scraps and paper.
She tired fast and gave the items over to her brother to help out. He was happy to cut for her. Great working on those cutting skills though, she will get stronger with practice, that is why we play this way.
Once everything was snipped into smaller bits it was time to thread!
Using your shoe lace, lacing lace or just a plain bit of yarn, thread the small bits of straw. Look at those fingers go!
We then used our toothpicks and stuck them into some foam and stacked up the small bits of straw.
Disclaimer: Please note my toddler is 2 and half years old and has shown great patience in working with items such as toothpicks. All these activities are supervised. Use you own judgement when doing an activity with potentially pointy ends with your own children.
I love the colors of these straws! Don’t you? 😀
Enter my 5 year old who did the more advanced bit of this activity.
Here is his version of stacking straws on the toothpicks. Notice how he has 6 toothpicks and they are color coded. This would be great to show a toddler and see if they can copy it. Don’t forget to name the colors as you go! Repetition of naming works is how mine learnt them.
Remember I said to cut the tops off the straws? Here is what my 5 year old does with them!
Make a small slit on both ends of one of 3 straw tops.
Now press the cut straw so that it folds in on itself and fits into the other end of another straw.
Continue like this with your ends and you will land up with a triangle. You can add a 4th straw to create a square. My 5 year old loves to color code his creations. All pink, all orange type thing.
Loop the triangles together and you had a lovely display item to hang somewhere! Or you can go torment play with the cat with it.
Loved these ideas? Pin them and share with your friends!
Take a look at what the ladies from the fine motor Fridays group is up to this week
- QTip Train Art Printable from Craftulate
- A is for Alien Craft from Stir the Wonder
- Pom Pom Push Activity for Toddlers from School Time Snippets
- Introducing Scissors to Toddlers from House of Burke
Toothpaste Slime for Dental Health Month from Still Playing School - Fun Pre Writing Activity for Toddlers from Lalymom
Don’t forget to check out our lovely 99 Fine Motor ideas book! Available in print. Kids LOVE it!
Jill says
This is a great idea for a fun fine motor activity!
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Cami Graham says
Saw this on the link party, milk and cuddles – and your style totally caught my eye. My 4 year old is going to have a hay day with this project! Love it! And – totally scoping the other goodness from your blog. One talented mama!
Jill @ Do Try This at Home says
Great ideas! My preschoolers love it when I get out straws in art center!
Georgina @ Craftulate says
We haven’t played with straws for ages – must get them out again!!
Samantha @ Stir the Wonder says
Lots of colorful photos! Caden would love this activity, we’ll have to try sometime!
Laura @Lalymom says
This looks so super fun! My 4 year old would like the linking idea and it would be a great way to introduce my little guy to scissors!