This week I'm sharing one of our favourite toddler fine motor activities…….
It is such a simple activity but one that is a lot of fun and doesn't cause too much frustration even for younger toddlers. I love that it is the sort of activity that can be varied to cater for different skill levels and stages.
On this day I offered the girls some large rigatoni pasta and also some cut toilet rolls to provide an easier option…..
I used some craft sticks from the $2 shop (although i have also used pipe cleaners and straws) and stuck them into some playdough which i moulded around the base….
I provided baskets of the pasta and rolls and sat back to enjoy the toddler ‘work'….the toddler twosome love threading activities and this is one of the few fine motor activities that keeps Ruby's interest past a few minutes….i think because she gets such a sense of satisfaction so quickly for her efforts!
I'm not eating the dry pasta really….
Picking up the pasta pieces as well as being able to push them down onto the stick provides wonderful practise for those fine motor and hand-eye coordination skills. This activity also challenges their spatial awareness skills….they need to work out how to fit the items onto the stick.
When their towers were full I showed them how to slide the pasta back off the top and start all over again…..
Tara liked to have 2 towers going at once…one with the cardboard rolls and the other with pasta…a toddlers got to have options you understand!!!
Tricky and important work this threading business……
But such joy and satisfaction when it all comes together!
This one definitely remains in the favourite basket for fine motor fun…what does your toddler like to thread?
A Little About Me
Jodie Clarke is an early childhood professional supporting educators who want and need to stay passionate about the work they do! She has 30 years hands-on experience in the early childhood and human services sectors across many different roles.
Jodie is mum to 3 in Australia and has already helped thousands of educators with their work through her popular blog posts, activity ideas, online training and e-books.
I like this idea of the threading. Will try it soon.
So glad…i hope you have some fun with it!
This looks like a lot of fun! I can see threading narrower noodles as kids get older.
Exactly! So many ways to extend and modify this activityfor younger or older kids!
Oh wow! Those threading towers are a great idea!
Thanks Hannah…easy too!!
Love it – am going to try this today. I’m thinking breadsticks instead of craft sticks!
I love the breadsticks ideas…going to try that next time…thank sso much for the idea!
What fun for the little ones. Great way to keep them busy and get crafty!
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Such a fun activity, I must try it one day with Pebble.
Wonderful blog and posts! Love the linky parties too.