Preschoolers are ready for simple crafts, child-safe scissors, tongs, pretend play, and games with a few steps. These activities build the hand skills, coordination, and focus kids use for drawing, cutting, getting dressed, and getting ready for school.Use the easier and harder ideas on each activity to match your child’s level, and let them choose when you can.
699 activities for preschoolers
Holding crayons, pinching, buttons, and scissors
Ages 3 to 5Silver Leaf BranchFine Motor ControlFinger StrengthTripod GraspYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Bottle · Branches · Glue
Ages 3 to 5Hidden Treasure Button BoxActivities of daily living (ADL)Eye-Hand CoordinationFine Motor ControlYou'll need: Buttons · Fabric · Felt · Glue · Scissors · Shoe Box · Stickers
Ages 3 to 5Bubble Wrap Road TripFinger IsolationMotor PlanningSensory ProcessingYou'll need: Blocks · Bubble Wrap · Playdough · Yarn
Ages 3 to 5Pipe Cleaner Hair SalonBilateral Hand UseFine Motor ControlHand DexterityYou'll need: Beads · Bowl · Crayons · Egg Carton · Pencil · Pipe Cleaners
Ages 3 to 5Tiny Bottle Cap PiesFinger IsolationPincer GraspTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Bottle Cap · Playdough · Rice · Tray
Ages 3 to 5Floating Button Boat RescueEye-Hand CoordinationGraspSequencingYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Buttons · Markers · Paper Cup · Sponge · Tongs · WaterBalance, strength, and using both sides of the body
Ages 3 to 5Bubble Wrap Road TripFinger IsolationMotor PlanningSensory ProcessingYou'll need: Blocks · Bubble Wrap · Playdough · YarnAges 3 to 5Pipe Cleaner Hair SalonBilateral Hand UseFine Motor ControlHand DexterityYou'll need: Beads · Bowl · Crayons · Egg Carton · Pencil · Pipe Cleaners
Ages 3 to 5Heavy Blanket Nest TugMotor PlanningProprioceptionShoulder StrengthYou'll need: Basket · Blanket · Pillows · Stuffed Animal
Ages 1 to 5Foil Mountain ClimbBilateral Hand UseProprioceptionTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Blocks · Stuffed Animal
Ages 3 to 5Heavy Foil Bridge BalanceBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProximal StabilityYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Craft Sticks · Paper Cup · Pom-poms · Tongs
Ages 3 to 5Styrofoam Button BouquetBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProprioceptionYou'll need: Buttons · Markers · Pipe Cleaners · StyrofoamTouch, movement, sounds, and body signals
Ages 3 to 5Bubble Wrap Road TripFinger IsolationMotor PlanningSensory ProcessingYou'll need: Blocks · Bubble Wrap · Playdough · YarnAges 3 to 5Tiny Bottle Cap PiesFinger IsolationPincer GraspTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Bottle Cap · Playdough · Rice · TrayAges 3 to 5Heavy Blanket Nest TugMotor PlanningProprioceptionShoulder StrengthYou'll need: Basket · Blanket · Pillows · Stuffed AnimalAges 1 to 5Foil Mountain ClimbBilateral Hand UseProprioceptionTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Blocks · Stuffed AnimalAges 3 to 5Styrofoam Button BouquetBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProprioceptionYou'll need: Buttons · Markers · Pipe Cleaners · Styrofoam
Ages 1 to 5Sticky Tape Hand ClapsBilateral Hand UseBody AwarenessTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Basket · Construction Paper · Cotton Balls · Feather · Masking TapeWatching, tracking, and eye-hand teamwork
Ages 3 to 5Hidden Treasure Button BoxActivities of daily living (ADL)Eye-Hand CoordinationFine Motor ControlYou'll need: Buttons · Fabric · Felt · Glue · Scissors · Shoe Box · StickersAges 3 to 5Floating Button Boat RescueEye-Hand CoordinationGraspSequencingYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Buttons · Markers · Paper Cup · Sponge · Tongs · WaterAges 3 to 5Heavy Foil Bridge BalanceBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProximal StabilityYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Craft Sticks · Paper Cup · Pom-poms · TongsAges 3 to 5Styrofoam Button BouquetBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProprioceptionYou'll need: Buttons · Markers · Pipe Cleaners · Styrofoam
Ages 1 to 5Sticky Cup Treasure GrabBilateral Hand UseCrossing MidlineEye-Hand CoordinationYou'll need: Container · Masking Tape · Paper Cup · Pom-poms
Ages 3 to 5Cardboard Box Gear ShifterBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationSequencingYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Roll · ScissorsPlanning, focus, steps in order, and staying calm
Ages 3 to 5Floating Button Boat RescueEye-Hand CoordinationGraspSequencingYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Buttons · Markers · Paper Cup · Sponge · Tongs · WaterAges 3 to 5Cardboard Box Gear ShifterBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationSequencingYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Roll · Scissors
Ages 3+Ribbon-Linked Clip PathBilateral Hand UsePincer GraspSequencingYou'll need: Clothespins · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Plate · Ribbon · Scissors
Ages 3+Rainbow Tissue WindmillBilateral Hand UsePincer ControlSequencingYou'll need: Beads · Masking Tape · Pencil · Pipe Cleaners · Scissors · Straws · Tissue Paper
Ages 3+Growing Newspaper TreeBilateral Hand UseCuttingSequencingYou'll need: Masking Tape · Newspaper · Scissors
Ages 3+Cardboard Box Pinball GoalExecutive FunctioningEye-Hand CoordinationMotor PlanningYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Ping Pong Ball · Scissors · Shoe Box · StrawsCutting, writing, eating, and self-care
Ages 3 to 5Hidden Treasure Button BoxActivities of daily living (ADL)Eye-Hand CoordinationFine Motor ControlYou'll need: Buttons · Fabric · Felt · Glue · Scissors · Shoe Box · Stickers
Ages 3+Pincer Mask MakerCuttingPincer GraspVisual MotorYou'll need: Beans · Glue · Paper Bag · Scissors · Sequins
Ages 3 to 5Shiny Foil Crown CrimpBilateral Hand UseCuttingFinger StrengthYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Cardboard · Markers · Scissors
Ages 3 to 5Foil Cupcake ScoopBilateral Hand UsePincer ControlSelf Help (Feeding)You'll need: Aluminum Foil · Baking Cups · Beads · Spoon
Ages 1 to 5Foil Pan Bead ScoopEye-Hand CoordinationGraspSelf Help (Feeding)You'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Beads · Bowl · Easter Eggs · Spoon · Water
Ages 3+Blooming Paper Water LilyCuttingFine Motor ControlVisual MotorYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Construction Paper · Markers · Scissors · WaterThe preschool years are a big time for hand and body skills: holding crayons, snipping with scissors, buttoning, balancing, and following a few steps in order. Play-based activities let kids practice all of these without it feeling like work.
Many preschoolers do well with 10 to 20 minutes of focused play. If your child is still interested, keep going. If they drift away, try a movement break or switch to a different activity.
Yes. Many activities work for centers, circle time, and small groups. Look for ones with short setup times and materials you can prepare ahead in bulk.
While these activities are great for home practice, nothing replaces the guidance of a licensed therapist. If you are in Irvine, CA or the Orange County area and have concerns about your child's development, we invite you to connect with us.
Contact Tumble N' Dots Therapy →