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DIY Montessori Fine Motor Activities | Low to No Cost

November 8, 2013 By Racheous

DIY Fine Motor Montessori Activitiescontains affiliate links

Cheap Montessori fine motor activities that are DIY and simple to set up are something I am asked about frequently. Many of these can be adapted to be appropriate for many age groups.

I hope you find some inspiration for creating engaging activities for your kids that help develop fine motor skills!

 

fine motor diy

Give a toddler some match sticks and a parmesan shaker and they will be occupied for a significant amount of time for their age. See my popular post on Montessori Activities for Toddlers for more ideas.

The significance of fine motor development for toddlers is obvious: most tots have moved on from whole hand (palm) grasp and use a four finger grasp to manipulate smaller objects. The aim of the game is to develop that further and work towards the all important pincer grasp that you hear about which is the key to writing (proper pencil grip) and a huge range of practical life activities.

DIY Fine Motor Posting Activity

These fine motor development activities are considered Montessori inspired because they are the pre-cursor for independence, literacy, and numeracy. If you can work in sensory exploration, even better.

Hubby made a posting toy similar to this for Lucy which she really enjoys.

Tracing Stencils Montessori

These shape stencils from Learning Resources are our low-cost alternative to Montessori metal insets. While I know they are restricted in their uses, I think that they still promote the necessary movements of the hand and wrist for writing to help prepare children for handwriting. Similar DIY alternatives like those listed in the picture can still be of great help.

DIY Play dough Montessori activities for fine motor skillsPlaydough is a cheap (with the myriad of incredible DIY recipes on the web) and the ultimate material for fine motor development. Think cutting, pinching, rolling, molding, poking, etc.

We loved this playdough colour matching activity with pegs from our peg boards. There are many other ways to do something similar if you don’t have peg mosaic boards – coloured match sticks, popsicle sticks, blocks, buttons, beads, straws, etc.

DIY Threading Invitation

This DIY threading invitation was a huge hit with both Cameron (almost 4 years old) and Lucy (19 months). Given that it was made with everyday household items like plasticine (which I prefer to dough purely because it doesn’t dry out!) with dry spaghetti, pasta, twigs, beads and small rings, it is so cheap and simple. There are lovely threading toys on Etsy too.

DIY Montessori colour gradient matching activity via Racheous - Lovable Learning

I have been asked about the DIY colour gradient matching activity in my header a couple of times recently. I made this some time ago. All you need to make your own is:

Materials:
Wooden pegs
Wood glue
Paint chip samples
A piece of paper

Optional: Laminator

How to:
1. Cut rectangles of the same size of each individual colour. I measured mine out with a ruler and drew onto the back on the paint chips.
2. Glue them to paper (or card if not laminating) in sequence so that the left and right edges can be pegged.
3. Optional: Laminate control colour card for durability and round the edges.
4. Cut out small rectangles the same size as the end of the pegs with the remaining card swatches. Attach to the pegs with wood glue. Leave to dry overnight.
5. Set the activity up in a tray with the pegs in a bowl and demonstrate matching the colours to the child (age dependent on ability of child, when you notice your child pointing out different shades of the same colour and they’re dexterity has developed to pegging pegs).

(Someone on Etsy has made similar here if you don’t want to make it yourself)

diy montessori colour gradient activity

Notes: Remember to use descriptive language like ‘lighter’, ‘darker’, ‘shade’, ‘pale’ and ‘order’. Also, try not to interrupt or correct the child. As difficult as it can be, unless they ask for clarification, allow them to learn and correct themselves. Any discoveries that they make will be much more memorable if they make them on their own.

Thank you for reading!

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Comments

  1. Mira Zayed says

    April 22, 2019 at 6:08 am

    Thank you for your ideas😍

  2. pegboards fine motor skills says

    February 26, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    Fantastic post. Thank you for sharing!

  3. doretta lovell says

    February 18, 2018 at 8:50 am

    Love the ideas, will be doing lots with the little ones

  4. Ashlee says

    June 11, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    Love these activities–I really like the metal shaker (and are those colored toothpicks?) activity near the top. Is that just a normal spice shaker? The holes look pretty big. Thanks! :)

  5. Ishratunnissa says

    May 15, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Wonderful ideas

  6. Jennifer Fischer says

    January 5, 2014 at 5:47 am

    Wonderful post. I am always creating activities for my boys using things we have on hand, so I love all of these ideas.

  7. sarah young says

    December 6, 2013 at 4:46 am

    Love your fb page and your blog, so many adaptable activities, thank for sharing x

  8. Makeovers Motherhood says

    November 27, 2013 at 7:14 am

    Love all these ideas! So fun and simple! I pinned this and will be featuring you tomorrow on Makeovers & Motherhood’s Welcome Party Wednesday! Thanks for linking up! I can’t wait to use some of these ideas!

    • Racheous says

      November 28, 2013 at 11:51 pm

      Thank you so much!

  9. Ashley says

    November 23, 2013 at 5:55 am

    Thanks for this post!
    As a TA for a 4 year old with autism I was desperate for fine motor skills activities. As the school has little funding for resources I have found this very tricky. Your ideas are both cheap and fun! Thanks! :)

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:15 pm

      You’re so welcome Ashley! I’m so grateful that blogging can help me connect with awesome people like yourself. Thank you for commenting and visiting :)

  10. Danya Banya says

    November 21, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    I love your colour matching pegs. And I love your tip about not interrupting the child – my kids grandparents really struggle with waiting and letting children answer questions or letting kids struggle a bit. They ALWAYS jump in. xx

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      Thank you Danya. It’s a common thing to do. It’s so easy for adults to feel that it would be easier if they ‘helped’ but so often it’s more useful to observe and guide :) I appreciate you taking the time to comment and read my ideas!

  11. The Monko says

    November 21, 2013 at 7:08 am

    really lovely ideas, I love the playdough and pins one

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment :) I love knowing what interests my readers!

  12. Lisa Nelson says

    November 20, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    These activities are absolutely fabulous! Wow.

    Thank you so much for linking up with us at the homeschool link up. I love that we now have a Montessori voice. We can all learn so much from you. I hope to see you next week.

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:08 pm

      Thank you so much Lisa! I love Montessori and the homeschool link up! I truly appreciate your comments!

  13. Sheena says

    November 16, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    Stopping by from TGIF- Such great ideas its amazing the things you can use that you already have around the house to help kids develop and learn! I love all of these ideas i will have to try some of these out with my kids, thank you so much for sharing- Now following you on Facebook, Pinterest and Google +
    Sheena @ http://www.thekeeperofcheerios.blogspot.com/

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:06 pm

      Thank you, you’re so lovely. I’ll do the same :)

  14. Heather @ Crayon Box Chronicles says

    November 14, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    Hi Racheous. So many fun and colorful FM activities. I adore the pegs and play dough activity – very clever! Can’t wait to incorporate tracing stencils too. Thank you for sharing on our page. Pinned! :)

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:04 pm

      Thank you for pinning, reading and commenting! I adore your blog!

  15. Clarissa Hooper says

    November 14, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    I really like how you used the play dough (flattened in the wooden tray) and added the pegs- I think I’ll be trying this soon! Great ideas here :)

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:02 pm

      Thank you Clarissa, it was a well received activity :D I appreciate you taking the time to comment!

  16. Pinkoddy says

    November 13, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    Such great ideas and developing fine motor skills can benefit in so many ways/areas. I have a similar idea to the colour matching. Thank you for sharing them all.

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 9:00 pm

      You’re so welcome. Thank you for reading!

  17. Theresa--Capri + 3 says

    November 13, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    I love your collection of fine motor activities. My favorite one is the formula tin with the Popsicle sticks. That looks like so much fun! Thank you for sharing on Artsy Play Wednesday.

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 8:59 pm

      Thank you Theresa, my daughter loved that as an early toddler! Thank you for hosting Artsy Play and for popping over!

  18. Claire says

    November 12, 2013 at 11:50 am

    Awesome post! I love how simple the materials are, but all are presented in such a visually appealing way. I know my kids at work and at home will love these! Thanks!

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      Thank you Claire. I think the simpler the better in many instances. I appreciate you popping by and commenting!

  19. Inger says

    November 12, 2013 at 5:43 am

    Hi
    What a great side

    I found your picture about earth and the planets.
    Where can I find the side to cut out.

    • Racheous says

      November 12, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Thank you :) In the post, under the activity, there is a link to the site with the free printable :)

  20. Jill says

    November 12, 2013 at 3:39 am

    What a fantastic resource of fun and low cost ideas you have put together for everyone :-) Thank you for linking up and sharing this week on the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop!

    • Racheous says

      November 12, 2013 at 11:01 am

      Thank you for hosting and for popping by. I really appreciate your comment :D

  21. Cherine says

    November 11, 2013 at 10:43 am

    I love how colourful, beautiful and easy these activities are to put together!! Great ideas:)

    • Racheous says

      November 12, 2013 at 10:59 am

      Thank you Cherine, they are colourful and we have really enjoyed them.

  22. Lauren says

    November 11, 2013 at 10:29 am

    I love these ideas! Thank you for sharing at our Pinning for Play link party!

    • Racheous says

      November 12, 2013 at 10:46 am

      You’re so welcome. Thanks for popping over Lauren!

  23. Amie says

    November 10, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    Hi Rachel! I would like to nominate your blog for the Sunshine Award! My post nominating you will be up on the blog tomorrow. We would love if you stopped by. Looking forward to getting to know you some more :)

    • Racheous says

      November 12, 2013 at 10:45 am

      Thank you so much Amie. I saw your post and loved getting to know you some more! Thank you for the award :D

  24. Tara from The Magnolia Barn says

    November 10, 2013 at 7:06 am

    Love all these ideas…very simple and lots of fun.

    • Racheous says

      November 23, 2013 at 8:45 pm

      Thanks so much Tara! :)

  25. Stephanie says

    November 9, 2013 at 12:13 pm

    What a wonderful resource, Rachel! A nice reminder that fine motor activities don’t have to be elaborate or expensive to be engaging and beneficial!

    • Racheous says

      November 9, 2013 at 10:12 pm

      Thank you so much Stephanie :) That was my aim and I’m so glad to see you here. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

  26. Kristina says

    November 9, 2013 at 6:41 am

    All these ideas are great! I love that they are DIY and/or cheap ; ). My kiddos love the simple activities I put together for them. I really like the peg/ playdough idea– never thought to put those together!

    • Racheous says

      November 9, 2013 at 10:10 pm

      Thank you Kristina. It would be great to use plasticine (fimo, or similar) instead of play dough in that activity because it’s a little harder to manipulate but doesn’t dry out like dough does so you could leave it on the shelf! Thanks for commenting :)

  27. Laura @ Lalymom says

    November 9, 2013 at 1:42 am

    Wow what a lovely collection of activities! My little guy JUST discovered a stash of craft sticks in a drawer the other day and loved them. I am sure I have a container like that right now too, I’ll have to start with that one and go from there! My preschooler would like these too! Thanks for sharing!

    • Racheous says

      November 9, 2013 at 10:08 pm

      Thank you Laura, I’m so glad I could inspire some easy to create fine motor fun for your littlies! I appreciate you commenting :)

  28. Georgina @ Craftulate says

    November 9, 2013 at 12:37 am

    That colour gradient matching activity looks beautiful!

    • Racheous says

      November 9, 2013 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you Georgina :) It’s stood up to lots of use too!

  29. Beth says

    November 9, 2013 at 12:29 am

    Hi Rachel,
    Thanks for posting this. It still surprises me what toddlers will transfer. I once found Quentin picking up some grains of brown rice from the carpet where he had spilled a pouring activity. He picked up each one and returned it to it’s container. I love that the things he loves to work with can be made my me inexpensivly.

    • Racheous says

      November 9, 2013 at 10:04 pm

      The concentration and skills developed with the simplest tasks is so awesome to observe isn’t it Beth? I’ve had similar experiences with watching Lucy repetitively complete a task over and over. It doesn’t have to be complicated, or expensive. Thank you for commenting :)

  30. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    November 8, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    These are great! You can find such expensive things when looking in stores, that it’s a good reminder that you don’t need to pay a lot to help your kids learn these skills.

    • Racheous says

      November 9, 2013 at 10:02 pm

      Thank you Emma :) I so agree. I appreciate your comment.

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