We've been enjoying some fine motor colour mixing. I love finding ways to modify activities so toddlers can enjoy some creative fine motor play too and this is one of our favourites!
The large squeeze heads of the basters provide a real challenge to developing fine motor skills and Ruby had to practice being able to pull up paint into the baster and hold it until she was ready to release.
Ruby really enjoyed filling the egg carton cups…..
While Tara had lots of fun dropping paint and mixing colours in the trays….
She did a lot of scooping with the spoon and then turning over to drop paint onto the towel….lots of wrist rotation in this activity.
Tara has more control over her wrist and finger movements and really seemed to enjoy using both hands to squeeze in different ways to achieve different results on her paper towel.
A simple activity (as always!) but one that really gave their problem solving, fine motor and eye hand coordination skills a workout!
To extend on this activity you might like to use some smaller droppers like we did in this activity.
This water paint can be reused until it runs out so we have had quite a few days of this activity keeping the girls busy, I just left it set up on the table outdoors…you don't need to keep using paper towel, the colours running and mixing on the table are lots of fun too! Simple, fun and a workout for those fine motor muscles!
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 shall pin this as we need fine motor activities. There’s special knives, forks and spoons that have special holes that help you hold them properly – the OT showed me.
Thank you for hosting.
Thanks for pinning! Like the sound of those special cutlery as I am at a loss at the moment. The OT said not to stress about it to much but she seems to be getting worse with it not better unfortunately!
Loving those basters Jode! I have just started a Montessori course and I am on the lookout for exactly the same thing. Read a few posts from your week while I was here. Big beds for the girls, that’s awesome, hope it is all going well. I am looking at an used toddler bed in the kids room and considering moving it out. Finding it hard to make the move, I’m sure you understand 😉
Thanks Amie…check out Coles! Big beds are going well although Ruby has had a few falls! it was wrenching to see those little bodies in the huge bed….where did the babies go…perfectly understand xx
I love the turkey basters! We are featuring your post this week on Share It Saturday. Thanks for linking up!
Colleen at Sugar Aunts
Thanks Colleen…lovely of you to feature this activity…thanks for hosting!
wow that looks immense!! i am loving those basters! x
They are still having fun with them Jaime although the colours are a little over mixed now!!
So many skills to develop with these activities and fun for kids too. Loving that all the mess is outdoors. Thank you for joining me on Country Kids
Thanks for hosting, I love linking up and visiting everyone!Mess is always better…and more fun outdoors of course!
Those basters are great! What a fun way to build up the hand muscles. I’ll have to keep an eye out for some…
Hee hee, I would not have thought to use basters like this! But what fun! I bet your girls had a ball, and I know my kids will! Thanks Jode
They look like they are having a blast! My son would LOVE those pump things!
Those basters are incredible.
I saw those basters at Coles too. Why didn’t I get them?!?! Haha 🙂 My littles would really love them 🙂 I might need to pop back and see if they still have some.
What a bargain! Will have to have a look at my local Coles… pinned this one – hopefully we can get our hands on the tools!! Might do a mini version with medicine droppers!
I’ve never thought of using basters
What a fab idea. I’m going to look tomorrow for sure
It looks like they had such messy fun with those large basters! We’re only used the small medicine sized ones before and they were good for inside. My kids would have a ball outside with ones that size! I may wait till it’s a tad warmer outside here though 🙂
It’s happy days when you spot an item that instantly inspires a fun and creative activity. What a perfect activity to enjoy outdoors – so much colour and so many lovely creations.
Oh wow, those blasters!!! I need some of those, I mean, Mr 5 needs some of those. How fun and so many possibilities.
What fun! I must get some of those big droppers, they looks awesome.
Looks like so much fun!!!!
You always have the most lovely photos! Beautiful.
What lovely colourful fun!
Thanks for joining The Sunday Showcase this week. I’ve pinned!
We’ve been doing a similar activity, but with drippers, food dye, and tubs of clear water. The kids were seeing what happened when you mixed the colours together in the water. Lots of fun!
Love that idea Christine! thanks for sharing with us x