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You are here: Home / Fine Motor / Simple Threading Activity to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

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Simple Threading Activity to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

March 31, 2014 by Sheryl Cooper

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Last Updated on May 17, 2025 by Sheryl Cooper

As your toddler is transitioning into a preschooler, there are more fun fine motor activities to try. These are important, as they get the hands and fingers ready for writing. Using cut straws is a simple threading activity to strengthen fine motor skills. They are easier to handle than bead threading, an activity that comes after this.

 

Threading activities are nice when you are looking for some quiet time. Even our busiest children can calm down and focus as they thread the straw pieces. You can set them up on a tray for the table, or put them in a busy bag for when you are out and about. (Think about waiting at a restaurant or doctor’s appointment!)

 

simple threading activity to strengthen fine motor skills for toddlers and preschoolers

 

Simple Threading Activity to Strengthen Fine Motor Skills

 

 

What you will need for this activity:

 

  • Plastic straws, cut into small sections
  • Tipped threading yarn

 

Activity for Fine Motor Skills

 

Setting up this activity:

We separated the cut straws by color and placed them in small containers. I like to tie one straw piece to the end of the yarn so that the rest don’t slip off during the threading process.

 

 

Activity for Fine Motor Skills

 

Activity for Fine Motor Skills

 

It takes great concentration to hold the yarn with one hand while threading the straw through it with the other hand. If a child is having a difficult time, I will hold the piece of yarn while he pushes the straw through it. Then he will hold the yarn while I push the straw through it. Eventually he will master the skill of using both hands on his own.

 

Activity for Fine Motor Skills

 

I have found threading activities to be a wonderful way to calm the children, and sometimes we will use them during transitions when we have to wait a bit before moving on to the next activity.  Keep a container of materials handy for those moments. It really helps!

 

Activity for Fine Motor Skills

 

Another plus to this activity is that it can be done independently or in a group, at home or in a classroom setting
Activity for Fine Motor Skills

 

When finished threading the straw pieces:

Untie the straw that was originally attached to the end of the yarn. Tie the two ends of yarn together. Now it’s a necklace!

Activity for Fine Motor Skills

Looking for more simple activities to calm your child?

 
  • Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails: 10 Simple Learning Activities for Preschoolers
  • Fantastic Fun and Learning: Simple Name Activities for Preschoolers
  • Teach Preschool: Simple Cotton Ball Painting
  • The Measured Mom: Simple Toddler Ideas
  • Mess for Less: Fine Motor Necklace
simple threading activity to strengthen fine motor skills

 

 

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Filed Under: Fine Motor, preschool, Preschool Fine Motor, Toddler Fine Motor, Toddlers Tagged With: fine motor, preschool, toddlers

About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 25 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephanie Schuler

    April 1, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    Looks like a great activity! Thanks for sharing!

    • Sheryl Cooper

      April 4, 2014 at 4:38 am

      Thank you, Stephanie! They really had fun.

  2. Mum of One

    April 3, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    I LOVE this! I think my toddler would really enjoy it and I just happen to have a bag of coloured straws. We might give this a go tomorrow. Thanks so much for sharing with the #pinitparty. have pinned 🙂

    • Sheryl Cooper

      April 4, 2014 at 4:40 am

      Thank you! Let me know how it goes!

  3. Karen @ PreKinders.com

    April 3, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    Love the new site design, Sheryl! Do you buy the pre-cut straws or cut them yourself? I bought some pre-cut straws one year, but they were smaller in diameter than normal straws and the kids had some difficulty lacing them. Let me know where you got yours. Message me at FB or email if you get a chance. TY!

    • Sheryl Cooper

      April 4, 2014 at 4:38 am

      Thank you, Karen! I sent you a message. I am almost certain I got them from Discount School Supply.

  4. sheila mat-dunnell

    April 24, 2015 at 10:47 am

    love this. will try it.

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