Easy at home activities to build fine motor skills- A Paediatric OT’s Guide

As a paediatric Occupational Therapist, one of the most common questions I get from parents is: “What can I do at home to help strengthen my child’s fine motor skills?” The good news? You don’t need fancy tools or expensive toys. Many everyday items around your home can become the perfect tools for boosting fine motor development!

Fine motor skills are the small movements of the hands and fingers that allow children to do everything from zipping their jackets to writing their names. Developing strong fine motor skills sets the foundation for independence in daily activities, success in school, and confidence in their growing abilities.

Here are some easy, OT-approved activities you can try at home:

✂️ 1. Scissor Skills with Playdough Snakes

Roll playdough into long “snakes” and encourage your child to snip them into pieces using child-safe scissors. This strengthens hand muscles and improves coordination.

Tip: Not ready for scissors? Start with tearing paper or use a hole puncher instead!

🧺 2. Clothespin Play

Have your child pinch and clip clothespins onto a line, the edge of a box, or even a paper plate with numbers or letters. This activity targets finger strength and coordination.

Make it fun: Turn it into a matching game using coloured clothespins and color-coded dots!

🍝 3. Pasta Necklaces

Threading dry pasta (or cereal like Cheerios) onto string, yarn, or pipe cleaners is a fantastic way to improve hand-eye coordination and bilateral hand use.

Bonus: Dye pasta with food colouring for extra visual appeal.

🎨 4. Q-bud Painting

Dip cotton buds in paint and create pictures or trace shapes and letters. This encourages a tripod grasp and refines small finger movements needed for writing.

🧩 5. Mini Puzzle Time

Manipulating small puzzle pieces helps kids build problem-solving skills while giving those little fingers a workout.

Try this: Start with simple puzzles with knob handles, then gradually work up to smaller, more complex pieces.

🥄 6. Sensory Bin Scooping & Pouring

Fill a bin with rice, beans, or sand and add scoops, spoons, and small containers. Scooping, pouring, and finding hidden items are all great for hand strength and sensory exploration.

🧦 7. Sock Matching & Rolling

Have your child sort and match socks, then roll them into balls. This uses both hands together and encourages coordination and pressure control.

🧃 8. Squeeze & Spray Fun

Let kids play with spray bottles, turkey basters, or sponge squeezers during bath time or while “cleaning” windows. These activities strengthen hand and finger muscles in a fun, engaging way.

Why These Activities Matter

All of these activities promote:

• Hand strength

• Finger dexterity

• Bilateral coordination

• Hand-eye coordination

• Development of pencil grip and pre-writing skills

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The best part? These activities feel like play, not “therapy.” And when children are having fun, they’re more engaged—and more likely to keep practicing those important skills.

Final Thought from an OT

Every child develops at their own pace. The key is consistency, encouragement, and keeping things fun. If you ever have concerns about your child’s fine motor development, don’t hesitate to reach out to a paediatric occupational therapist for guidance and support.

Let play be the pathway to progress!

Sophie Gilbert - Occupational Therapist at Kids Inspired