Toddler Toothpicks Fine Motor Activity
Have a spice jar handy? How about toothpicks? That's all this toddler fine motor activity requires.
I set the empty spice jar on the ground and set out ten toothpicks (I counted before laying them out so I would know I got them all picked up at the end of play.)
I picked up a toothpick and dropped it through a hole in the lid. You can bet my toddler wanted to try that too. She carefully poked all ten toothpicks through the holes with great concentration. She actually did this activity three times in a row before getting tired of it and deciding to use the jar with toothpicks it as a musical instrument.
You might wonder if toothpicks are a good idea for a toddler. This is one of those activities that falls inline with my idea that with proper attention small objects need not be off limits to toddlers. With you beside them they get to enjoy exploring a new material and have the company they like best.
So- don't toss out that empty spice jar. Save it for toddler fine motor play instead!
Playfully linked up to: It's Playtime
Alissa Zorn is an author, and founder of the website Overthought This. She's a coach and cartoonist passionate about helping people overcome perfectionism and shame to build authentic, joyful lives. Alissa is certified through the International Coach Federation and got her Trauma-Informed Coaching certification from Moving the Human Spirit. She wrote Bounceback Parenting: A Field Guide for Creating Connection, Not Perfection, and is always following curiosity to find her next creative endeavor.