Best Toys for FINE Motor Skills

Dec 13

When selecting gifts to help kids develop fine motor skills, it’s important to choose toys and activities that encourage hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and hand strength. Here are some great gift ideas to foster these skills:

1. Building Blocks and Construction Toys

LEGO sets: Help kids practice finger dexterity and precision while building complex structures.
Magnetic Tiles: These can help improve fine motor control while allowing for creative building.

2. Art and Craft Supplies

Play-Doh or Modeling Clay: Sculpting with Play-Doh strengthens hand muscles and fine motor control.
Sticker Sheets: Peeling and sticking stickers onto pages improves precision and fine grip.
Beading Kits: Threading beads onto strings or making jewelry enhances hand-eye coordination.
Drawing or Coloring Books: Using crayons or markers promotes grasping skills.

3. Puzzles

Jigsaw Puzzles: Picking up and placing pieces fosters hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.
Shape Sorters: These toys help toddlers work on their fine motor skills and spatial awareness.

4. Scissors and Cutting Toys

Child-safe Scissors: Learning to cut paper or create shapes helps develop hand strength and dexterity.
Cutting Playdough: Kids can practice using scissors while cutting through playdough shapes.

5. Interactive Books

Pop-up or Touch-and-Feel Books: These require manipulation of small parts and can help kids improve their fine motor coordination.
Books with Latches, Zippers, or Buttons: These can improve the child’s ability to handle small fasteners, buttons, and zippers.

6. Pretend Play Toys

Toy Kitchens or Tool Sets: These often involve activities like twisting knobs, holding utensils, or using toy tools that help improve hand strength and coordination.
Dollhouse Furniture: Handling small pieces like furniture and accessories promotes dexterity.

7. Manipulative Toys

Tactile Toys (e.g., Fidget Spinners, Pop Its): These small manipulatives can improve hand strength and focus while encouraging fine motor development.
Buttoning, Zipping, and Tying Activity Sets: These can help children master the basics of dressing themselves.

8. Stringing and Lacing Toys

Lacing Cards or Lacing Beads: These toys involve threading laces through holes, which can improve hand-eye coordination and focus.
Wooden Lacing Animals: These types of toys help strengthen fingers and hands while engaging in fun activities.

9. Fine Motor Skill Kits

STEM Kits: Some science, technology, engineering, and math kits include activities like building circuits, assembling mechanical parts, or creating models.
Fine Motor Skill Development Kits: Many brands offer kits specifically designed to target fine motor skills with activities like buttoning, zipping, or even puzzles.

10. Games

Operation: A classic game where kids practice steady hands and attention to detail as they remove parts from a “patient.”
Memory Games: Games that require sorting, matching, or flipping cards help enhance cognitive and fine motor skills.

These gifts can all aid in fine motor skill development while being fun and engaging for kids. Choose one that matches the child's interests for maximum impact!

Keri Southall