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Play is Learning.

Let’s work those fingers muscles.

Browse all the fine motor activities below, or use the menu above to narrow things down by category.

Preschool Nature Art Activities
Preschool Nature Art Activities

Preschool Nature Art Getting out into nature is healthy and fun for kids (and adults!) But what about bringing nature inside?  There are lots of ways to do this with young children.  Today let's looks at bringing nature into your preschool art activities.Simple is...

Favorite Preschool Painting Tools From Your Kitchen!
Favorite Preschool Painting Tools From Your Kitchen!

If you're reading this, you've likely already done the research about process-oriented preschool art.  You're not looking for cute crafts or cookie-cutter projects.  You just want some simple ideas that will let your kids explore materials and experience creative art...

Screen-Free Play for Preschool Fun
Screen-Free Play for Preschool Fun

Screen Free Play While I fully admit that I use my screen more than I should, I’m also a lover of low-tech, screen free “stuff”.  Especially for preschoolers.  While other preschool teachers were excitedly seeking out educational computer-based activities they could...

Let’s Play:  Sensory Tables!
Let’s Play: Sensory Tables!

Sensory tables (and sensory trays, for that matter), back in the olden days when I first started teaching, were something found only in a preschool classroom. But I'm happy to say that many people have sensory tables at home now, too.  A sensory table is one of my...

Let’s Play:  Sensory Trays!
Let’s Play: Sensory Trays!

Have you heard of a sensory tray?  You've most likely seen or at least heard about sensory tables for hours of play and learning in a preschool classroom. They're also amazing for kids to play with at home.  I love a good sensory table, but the "I love all things...

Cornstarch Goop!
Cornstarch Goop!

Cornstarch goop.  Some people call it ooblek.  It was a year-round favorite in my classroom, and the perfect activity to throw together when I needed something extremely fun yet (relatively) easy to clean up.  Perfect for a day that unexpectedly kept us cooped up...

Nature Inspired Play Dough
Nature Inspired Play Dough

Nature Tools With Play Dough You might already know that I love to use play dough with preschool kids.  I love the soft squishiness of it, and its soothing properties.  Especially when it's scented in various ways.  So adding open-ended items from nature for kids to...

Preschool Glue Part 2!
Preschool Glue Part 2!

Glue:  The Messy Way! Preschoolers love to play, and when they play they build so many important early learning skills!  Now, not all kids like to get sticky, and if you've got some of those sweeties in your life, you'll definitely want to check out this post, and...

Simple Preschool Art Tools: Glue!
Simple Preschool Art Tools: Glue!

Simple Preschool Art Tools:  Glue (part one)!  Glue. Plus kids.  Equals a mess.  It's true.  But, glue plus kids also equals fine motor, creative, problem-solving fun!  In my opinion, glue should be available every day in a preschool classroom.  And in the homes of...

More Simple Fine Motor Art Tools
More Simple Fine Motor Art Tools

Two More Simple Fine Motor Art Tools We started talking about simple fine motor art tools in my last blog post.  Now, let's explore a couple more ideas.  The art area of your home or classroom naturally encourages fine motor development.  As kids use the tools you...

Simple Preschool Fine Motor Arts and Crafts Tools
Simple Preschool Fine Motor Arts and Crafts Tools

Simple Fine Motor Art Tools (Part I) Simple fine motor tools for preschool kids are so important to add to your home and classroom.  And having tools that encourage fine motor development in the art area is incredibly easy.  Art is done (mostly) with the hands, so art...

Let’s Play: Ducks!
Let’s Play: Ducks!

Preschoolers Like Ducks In my experience, preschool kids dig ducks.  And anytime a preschooler likes something, they're bound to learn a lot as they play with that thing.  So let's give them lots of duck stuff to do!  Preschool duck activities galore, right here for...

Let’s Get Squishy: Frozen Paint Preschool Art Activity
Let’s Get Squishy: Frozen Paint Preschool Art Activity

Keep it Simple I've always loved preschool art activities that provide tons of variety and learning value. So here's a simple way to expose kids to science, art, fine motor, cognitive and sensory experiences all bundled up in one!  Freeze! So, from the title you know...

Let’s Move: Cutting Straws!
Let’s Move: Cutting Straws!

The Fine Motor Dilemma Some kids just really aren't into cutting--or possibly any fine motor activities, for that matter.  But fine motor skills are really important, and the earlier kids start getting playful practice with them, the better.  Those tiny finger and...

Let’s Get Squishy–Scents and Textures at the Easel
Let’s Get Squishy–Scents and Textures at the Easel

A Staple in the Classroom or Home Have you been using the easel lately?  In all my years of teaching, the easel is something I just couldn't do without!  I won't go on about it's many benefits, but if you don't have one in your classroom or house, I highly recommend...

5 Calming Holiday Preschool Activities
5 Calming Holiday Preschool Activities

Fall &Winter Holiday Chaos Holidays can be hectic times for toddlers, preschoolers and adults alike.  But it’s important to involve young children in family and community traditions and celebrations. These holiday preschool activities and toys will help keep...

How To Choose Fine Motor Activities for Your Preschooler
How To Choose Fine Motor Activities for Your Preschooler

Fine Motor How To Are you worried that your toddler or preschooler isn't developing the fine motor skills to be able to write “on time”?  Well, the good news is that you’re probably worrying about nothing!  If you’re providing lots of play opportunities, reading...

5 Screen Free Dinnertime Activities
5 Screen Free Dinnertime Activities

It's Dinner Time! When it’s time to make dinner (or fold laundry…or put your feet up for two minutes to relax…) the temptation is strong to switch on the TV. Or give your toddler or preschooler your phone with a fun app. Gah—you just want some screen-free play options...

Build Your Preschooler’s Math Skills Through Play
Build Your Preschooler’s Math Skills Through Play

Preschool Math through Play? Playing is fun, and you read everywhere that “play is learning”.  Well, great—you definitely want your kids to be learning as they play!  But can your child really learn preschool math through play?  Is it as simple as just sticking a toy...

The Only Play Dough Recipe You’ll Ever Need!
The Only Play Dough Recipe You’ll Ever Need!

Play Dough at home or in a classroom... Soft and squishy, bright and colorful--what's not to love about play dough?  Upon entering my preschool classroom, it was one of the first activities the children were greeted with each day.  And it was one of the most popular...