Fine Motor Beads Kids

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 15 to 20 minutes
Setup:: 2 minutes
Where:: Table

Why it helps

This activity promotes fine motor control skills and bilateral use of hands by using beads and pipe cleaners to form a shape of a person. Choking risk: beads can be a choking hazard. Stay within arm's reach, and keep them away from children who still put things in their mouths.

For this activity, you will need 2 pipe cleaners for the body, arms, and legs, plus 1 more pipe cleaner for the head.

Shape the Body

Hold 2 pipe cleaners side by side and twist them together at a spot about 2/3 of the way up, leaving the ends free above and below.

The twisted part will be the body.

Thread 3 large beads through both pipe cleaners to form a body.

Create Arms and Hands

Take both pipe cleaners and separate them, pulling each stick to either side of the body.

Thread about 5 medium beads onto each arm.

Curl and wrap the end of the pipe cleaner around the last bead to secure it in place.

These will be the hands.

Create Legs

The two pipe cleaner ends hanging below the body will be the legs.
Thread about 8 medium beads onto each leg.

Curl and wrap the end around the last bead to secure it in place.

These will be the feet.

Head Shape

To form the head shape, using the scissors cut one pipe cleaner in half and bend to form a circle shape with the ends twisted and touching.

Insert the ends of the pipe cleaner head into the top bead of the body to secure it in place.

These activities are for home practice and don't replace the guidance of a licensed therapist.