Festive fine motor fun
Looking for some activities to keep your child engaged and away from iPads and TV screens?
Why not use some some cute, Christmassy crafts to sneak in some hand and finger fine motor therapy; they’ll be having so much fun they won’t realise they’re working! Here’s a round up of a few of our favourite ideas…
TORN PAPER CHRISTMAS TREE
Tearing and sticking paper is a fun activity for all abilities and you only need a few materials such as card stock to draw a tree outline, glue and coloured paper to rip into little pieces. Tissue paper will be easier to rip while thicker paper while be more challenging – you can choose your material based on your child’s skills.
SPONGE PAINTED CHRISTMAS TREE
Another simple idea that uses a Christmas tree template is this sponge painted tree. Your child can work on their tripod grasp while holding the sponge plus motor planning is engaged while working through the dipping and paint transfer process.
Find more details at Mama OT
SANTA HATS STACKING GAME
You just need red cups and white pom poms for this simple game which gets your child working on their four finger grasp on the cup and their pincer grasp on the pom pom.
Find out more at Laly Mom
SANTA’S BEARD CUTTING PRACTICE
Red card stock and a paper plate = a simple Santa that you can set up so that your child can do some valuable hand and finger strengthening cutting work.
Hands On As We Grow has a rundown of how to put this activity together.
FESTIVE CUTTING BASKET
For more cutting practice gather a heap of festive odds and ends (cards, tinsel, wrapping paper, bows etc) and you’ve got yourself a festive cutting tray that your child can snip at to their heart’s content.
SANTA’S FROZEN HANDS ICE MELT
This activity is perfect for outdoor play on a warm sunny day. You’re basically freezing glitter and little treats into a Santa glove and then once frozen your child can use warm water in an eye dropper or baster to melt the ice. Melt the ice and toys into a container and you’ll have an instant watery sensory bin at the end! For full details on how to put this one together take a look here.
PLACEMATS
This simple weaving task is great for hand eye coordination and will keep your child busy making something for the Christmas table while you’re preparing the meal. Everybody wins!
Find out more here at Mess for Less
CHRISTMAS BAUBLES COLOUR SORT
Tongs, Christmas baubles (not glass ones!) and a basket or two are all you need for this hand strengthening and colour sorting activity.
TIE RIBBONS & GIFT WRAPPING
Let your kids help you tie the ribbons and strings onto gifts. Not only are they giving their fingers a workout, but also their eye hand and bilateral coordination skills. And gift wrapping is the perfect fine motor activity and works on so many key skills. While you’re busy with presents for the family your child will love to wrap some blocks alongside you.
