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The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

Fine Motor Recycling Fun with Foil!

by The Empowered Educator 4 Comments

Instead of a feature this week I thought I would share one of our own favourite activities from our week! When His patient self brought home a whole stack of tinfoil goodies that were being thrown out at his work you can only imagine how excited I was (Yes I know, bit sad…but there are always so many possibilities with recycled finds!)

The toddler twosome have been really interested in threading and sewing as well as pasting with bits and pieces lately so these turned out to be the perfect materials…it was a fantastic activity for their fine motor and coordination skills.

We started with a few tart trays, some sparkly bits and pieces and some cornflour paste with a little wood glue mixed in to make it stronger.

And then I just watched the creativity flow…there were no rules…they just added what they wanted to.

Fine Motor Stick & Sew Mobiles - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
And I must say this kept them busy for ages…we did have to talk about needing more glue if they were going to add so many sequins and other goodies or they would just fall off but they soon understood what they needed to do!
 
Fine Motor Stick & Sew Mobiles - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
Fine Motor Stick & Sew Mobiles - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
Of course ‘baby’ presided over the activities as usual….why won’t they let me put some clothes on those dolls??

Fine Motor Stick & Sew Mobiles - Mummy Musings and Mayhem

Fine Motor Stick & Sew Mobiles - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
 
When they had finished with the huge pile of circle trays we moved onto the rectangle trays and they got lots of glue and sparkly decorations too!
 
When they got up from their nap they were just about dry so I set out some leftover twine from our outdoor music spool, used the hole punch to put a few holes around the edges of the trays and the girls began sewing!
fine motor fun with foil image
 
They had so much fun experimenting with these and then began requesting holes in some paper so they could keep going….this activity really had some longevity!
 
Fine Motor Stick & Sew Mobiles - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
 
Fine Motor Stick & Sew Mobiles - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
When there were only a few left I got then to help me thread and tie a few of the trays together to make some hanging mobiles.
Fine Motor Stick & Sew Mobiles - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
They are now hanging all around the house and are very pretty swaying outside in the wind! Simple fun but they love pointing them out to anyone that walks into the house. Love those proud little faces when they see their artwork on display!
 
Fine Motor Stick & Sew Mobiles - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
Do you have anything around the house you could make some sparkly mobiles with? Why not let that imagination run free and have a rummage in the recycle bin! I would love to see your creations so why not share them in our Empowered Educator Facebook Group.
 
 
Are you on Pinterest? You can find more Fine Motor Activities on THIS Pinterest board. Why not pin the image below for later.

invitation to create with recycled foil pinterest

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.

Filed Under: Ideas for Fine Motor Play, Ideas for Frugal Fun, Ideas for Sensory Fun

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Comments

  1. Tina says

    08/08/2013 at 4:21 am

    How great that your girls had so much fun with recycling art!

    I had to laugh at your comment about the naked doll – our dolls were all the same way for months! Currently, one of them at least gets to wear a diaper that needs to be changed daily 😉

    Reply
  2. Pinkoddy says

    08/08/2013 at 10:25 pm

    We saw the occupational therapist about fine motor skills today – this activity is great – he is hypermobile in his hands or something too.

    Thank you for hosting.

    Am off to Pin

    Reply
  3. Amie M says

    11/08/2013 at 9:59 am

    I always love a bit of art and craft that can be displayed and these would gorgeous sparkling in the winter’s sun!

    Reply
  4. Emma says

    13/08/2013 at 9:16 am

    I love how you just set out the materials and let them take over. All those sequins and pom poms – they must have had a blast!

    Reply

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Jodie
Hi, I'm Jode, Mum to 3 girls in Australia, and an early childhood educator, presenter and consultant.
I share ideas, inspiration & resources for play based, inquiry led learning
Find out more about me here...

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