Fun play for hot days!

check out this post for a simple idea that would be fantastic on those hot summer days!

Ideas like this are always a great way to keep your little ones engaged and interested in joining in games that are great for their sensory and fine motor skills.

Therapy “Bag of Tricks”

This post has a great list of items that should appear in almost any therapist’s bag of tricks

The post is specifically aimed at speech therapy, but I thought the list applied pretty equally to therapy for fine motor activities as well as pretty much any developmental therapy for little ones.

Slime for Sensory Play

I still remember playing with “Slime” when I was a kid, and loved the feel of the cool, wet looking substance as it was rolled around your hand, and slipped through your fingers.

I recently stumbled across this recipe for home made slime, which would be a great way to tempt kids into your fine motor activities.

Pulling and stretching the “slime” substance is a great strengthening exercise for little hands, and the unusual texture and elasticity of the substance is also excellent for their sensory awareness.

Pool Noodles for fine motor activities

check out this article for a simple, cheap idea using pool noodles and a ball that will assist in a number of areas of your little one’s development. I love the innovative thinking that can turn common products into fantastic learning tools for fine motor activities!

Pendulum play

Using a pendulum as a toy can be a great experience for kids. The motion of the pendulumn as it swings is always a source of fascination for little ones, and playing with the pendulum can combine some great fine motor activities.

Check out this article for an easy to make frame, and a some ideas for games
http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/2012/06/pendulum-play-is-amazing/

Add some excitement to your reading time

Whilst not technically to do with fine motor activities, reading is still an activity that plays a large part in your child’s development.

Check out this article for some great tips on getting the most out of your reading time
http://www.schoolsparks.com/blog/tips-for-spicing-up-story-time-for-your-child

There are some great ideas in there to keep your little one engaged and to make reading time more enjoyable.

Simple healthy snack for kids

A healthy diet is a big part of having healthy kids, but around snack time, it is often difficult to compete with the range of commercially available snacks.

This great recipe for fruit muesli bars is worth checking out if you are looking for something simple to make that the kids are sure to love
http://childhood101.com/2012/05/homemade-fruit-muesli-bars/

Fine Motor Activities for developing pencil grip

good article on typical stages of pencil grip development

http://www.finemotoractivities.net/fine-motor-activities/pencil-grip-development

Simple Fine Motor Activities with Magnets

Check out this very simple fine motor activity idea that your kids will love.

The “magic” of magnets moving on the opposite side of the page will keep your little ones intrigued for ages, all the while helping them to develop their fine motor skills.

http://therapyfunzone.com/blog/2012/05/motor-control-with-magnet-paths/

More great Fine Motor Actities

Angry Birds as a Fine Motor Activity

If you find your kids are keener to play Angry Birds than they are to join you in fine motor activities, then this article may just what you’re looking for:
http://therapyfunzone.com/blog/2012/04/angry-birds-toss-game/

What a great way to get kids engaged, by utilising something you know they enjoy as a teaser to get them interested!

For more information on fine motor activities for your kids, check out http://finemotoractivities.net