Fine motor skills toys can help toddlers & preschoolers develop the small muscles in the hands and fingers used for writing while having fun. They won’t even know they’re doing something good for them, as they develop these important fine motor skills for future handwriting success. Here are some of my favorite fine motor toys as a veteran preschool teacher of more than 20 years experience.
Here are some of my favorite tools to use in the classroom to help develop fine motor skills.
Best Fine Motor Skills Toys for Toddlers & Preschoolers
These are the fine motor tools that my students enjoy using and that are most helpful for developing fine motor skills.
- Handy Scoopers
- Gator Grabber Tweezers
- Wind-Up Toys
- Triangular Crayons
- Triangular Pencils
- Twisty Droppers
- Lacing Beads
- Loop Scissors
1. Handy Scoopers
Handy Scoopers help children develop the muscles in their hands needed for writing and cutting with scissors. Children use their thumb, index, and middle fingers to open and close the scoopers just like scissors. The holes allow preschoolers and toddlers to catch-and-release for added fun during water play!
2. Gater Grabbers Tweezers
Gator Grabbers toys are the perfect size for little hands. Your kids will love using these kid-friendly tweezers to pick up and sort small objects. Help your children build the muscles in their hands to support the development of a mature pencil grasp.
3. Wind-Up Toys
Wind-up toys aren’t just super fun, they’re also perfect for exercising little fingers and hand muscles!
4. Triangular Crayons and Pencils
Teachers love triangular crayons and pencils because they don’t roll all over the tables – and floors! Toddlers love them because they’re easy to hold. Help your preschoolers develop proper pencil grip with triangular crayons and pencils in your classroom.
5. Twisty Droppers’
These eyedroppers put a fun, educational twist on water play while building fine motor skills too!
6. Lacing Beads
These lacing vehicle beads are a perfect toy for developing the small muscles in the hands needed for cutting and writing, oral language, counting, color recognition and more!
7. Loop Scissors
Loop scissors are perfect for young children just learning how to cut. They’re specially designed to make even the beginner feel comfortable and confident cutting. The blades open automatically, just squeeze and cut!
The Teaching Tribe
Having all the fine motor tools you need is awesome! But let’s face it, fine motor tools can’t make you a better teacher. The best place to discuss teaching best practices and get the support you need is in the Teaching Tribe. We have many printable lessons and on-demand video trainings to help you become the best teacher you can be! If you want to get on the waiting list for the Teaching Tribe, do it soon so you don’t miss the next open enrollment period!
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