The Pinchers & Pom-Poms from our Busy Bag Swap has been a fun way to practice fine motor skills.
The Busy Bag that came in our swap had pom-poms, colored paper clips, and tongs. You should be able to get all of these items at the dollar store, if you don’t already have them on hand. Or, you can improvise using things you have.
The object of the Busy Bag is to use the pinchers to pick up the pom-poms and paper clips. I had Kaitlynn put them in a bowl. You could have a child sort them in piles by color. Or count out a certain number of objects.
Kaitlynn also enjoyed trying to pick up the pom-poms with the paper clips.
Find more Busy Bag ideas here.
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{ 17 comments... read them below or add one }
Did you know the link at the bottom that says more ideas does not work? It takes you to a page that says oops page not found. You do not need to post or respond to this I just wanted to let you know.
Kaitlynn is soooo adorable! I love her hair. It’s so pretty
Thanks for sharing these. I had just added to my weekly to do’s to add a few “busy bags” to our Bible church bag. My children don’t want to attend “Promiseland” so they attend with us. During the message, they are allowed to read or do something quietly and some of these ideas will be great for my 4 yr old.
I was going to try a variation of this using some “cheater” chopsticks (they are connected at one end) that my daughter and I bought together. But tongs might be a better option, even though my daughter is rather obsessed with the idea of learning to use chopsticks!
When one of my sons was in occupational therapy, this is one of the activities they did.
This one is my kids’ absolute favorite busy bag activity for all four ages (18 mo, 2 yrs, 4 yrs, and 6 yrs)! Obviously, their skills – and way of playing – varies greatly.
I love this! I am a teacher, and this year is my first year having kindergarteners for an hour a week teaching computer…. and it’s hard for them to manipulate the mouse because they struggle with fine motor skills!!
I’m teaching computer classes, too! And I agree- a lot of the younger ones have a tough time using the mouse. Double clicking (without moving the mouse) is a challenge, especially!
My son loves the pom pom and tubberware busy kit you showed earlier. It’s perfect for church! Thanks for all the great ideas.
Thanks for posting this great idea. My daughter is having problems with her fine motor skills.
your busy bag ideas link isn’t working. Please make it work! I need a list of ideas.
Fixed! It’s here: http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/busy-bag-ideas
Thanks for letting me know!
To Erin and Kelly,
Have you considered speaking with the individual in charge of accessibility about this issue. Tons of adaptive devices are available for children lacking the fine motor skills required to use (adaptive key boards, adaptive mice, switches.) These items are classified as assistive technology. Hope this helps
Thanks for the great ideas – I am in the process of assembling some quiet/busy activities for my toddlers.
We keep our pom poms in one of those tupperware divided vegetable trays. Then my kids can use the little compartments to sort by color or size. Another option for older kids is using tweezers and pony beads in a plastic paint pallete – all of these are available at the dollar store.
Plastic ice cube trays work nicely too.
Thank you so much for this. My daughter Tori just loves this. I gave her an egg carton and she loved putting them in the different slots. I didn’t have any small tongs so I gave her 2 craft sticks.