Ages 3 to 5

OT activities for preschoolers

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.

695 activities for preschoolers

Heavy Blanket Nest TugThe Floating Button Boat RescueThe Foil Mountain ClimbThe Heavy Foil Bridge Balance

Fine motor activities for preschoolers

Holding crayons, pinching, buttons, and scissors

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The Floating Button Boat RescueAges 3 to 5The Floating Button Boat RescueEye-Hand CoordinationGraspSequencingYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Buttons · Markers · Paper Cup · Sponge · Tongs · WaterThe Silver Trap Button RescueAges 3+The Silver Trap Button RescueBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer ControlYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Bowl · Buttons · Masking Tape · Pencil · TweezersThe Index Card Step ClimberAges 3 to 5The Index Card Step ClimberEye-Hand CoordinationPincer ControlYou'll need: Index Cards · Markers · Masking Tape · Pom-poms · TweezersThe Stocking Marble Zone TrapAges 3+The Stocking Marble Zone TrapBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationFinger StrengthYou'll need: Clothespins · Marbles · Markers · StockingsThe Fuzzy Path Finger ExplorerAges 3 to 5The Fuzzy Path Finger ExplorerFinger IsolationTactile PerceptionVisual MotorYou'll need: Buttons · Cardboard · Cotton Balls · Felt · Glue · Markers · SequinsThe Tilted Button SliderAges 3 to 5The Tilted Button SliderDistal Finger ControlFinger IsolationVisual MotorYou'll need: Buttons · Cardboard · Glue · Markers · Scissors · Yarn

Movement and coordination activities for preschoolers

Balance, strength, and using both sides of the body

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Heavy Blanket Nest TugAges 3 to 5Heavy Blanket Nest TugMotor PlanningProprioceptionShoulder StrengthYou'll need: Basket · Blanket · Pillows · Stuffed AnimalThe Foil Mountain ClimbAges 1 to 5The Foil Mountain ClimbBilateral Hand UseProprioceptionTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Blocks · Stuffed AnimalThe Heavy Foil Bridge BalanceAges 3 to 5The Heavy Foil Bridge BalanceBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProximal StabilityYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Craft Sticks · Paper Cup · Pom-poms · TongsThe Styrofoam Button BouquetAges 3 to 5The Styrofoam Button BouquetBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProprioceptionYou'll need: Buttons · Markers · Pipe Cleaners · StyrofoamSticky Cup Treasure GrabAges 1 to 5Sticky Cup Treasure GrabBilateral Hand UseCrossing MidlineEye-Hand CoordinationYou'll need: Container · Masking Tape · Paper Cup · Pom-pomsThe Cardboard Box Gear ShifterAges 3 to 5The Cardboard Box Gear ShifterBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationSequencingYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Roll · Scissors

Sensory activities for preschoolers

Touch, movement, sounds, and body signals

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Heavy Blanket Nest TugAges 3 to 5Heavy Blanket Nest TugMotor PlanningProprioceptionShoulder StrengthYou'll need: Basket · Blanket · Pillows · Stuffed AnimalThe Foil Mountain ClimbAges 1 to 5The Foil Mountain ClimbBilateral Hand UseProprioceptionTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Blocks · Stuffed AnimalThe Styrofoam Button BouquetAges 3 to 5The Styrofoam Button BouquetBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProprioceptionYou'll need: Buttons · Markers · Pipe Cleaners · StyrofoamThe Sticky Tape Hand ClapsAges 1 to 5The Sticky Tape Hand ClapsBilateral Hand UseBody AwarenessTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Basket · Construction Paper · Cotton Balls · Feather · Masking TapeThe Fuzzy Path Finger ExplorerAges 3 to 5The Fuzzy Path Finger ExplorerFinger IsolationTactile PerceptionVisual MotorYou'll need: Buttons · Cardboard · Cotton Balls · Felt · Glue · Markers · SequinsSticky Cup Pom-pom StuffAges 1 to 5Sticky Cup Pom-pom StuffFinger IsolationPincer ControlTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Masking Tape · Paper Cup · Pom-poms

Visual motor activities for preschoolers

Watching, tracking, and eye-hand teamwork

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The Floating Button Boat RescueAges 3 to 5The Floating Button Boat RescueEye-Hand CoordinationGraspSequencingYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Buttons · Markers · Paper Cup · Sponge · Tongs · WaterThe Heavy Foil Bridge BalanceAges 3 to 5The Heavy Foil Bridge BalanceBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProximal StabilityYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Craft Sticks · Paper Cup · Pom-poms · TongsThe Styrofoam Button BouquetAges 3 to 5The Styrofoam Button BouquetBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProprioceptionYou'll need: Buttons · Markers · Pipe Cleaners · StyrofoamSticky Cup Treasure GrabAges 1 to 5Sticky Cup Treasure GrabBilateral Hand UseCrossing MidlineEye-Hand CoordinationYou'll need: Container · Masking Tape · Paper Cup · Pom-pomsThe Cardboard Box Gear ShifterAges 3 to 5The Cardboard Box Gear ShifterBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationSequencingYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Roll · ScissorsThe Silver Trap Button RescueAges 3+The Silver Trap Button RescueBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer ControlYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Bowl · Buttons · Masking Tape · Pencil · Tweezers

Focus and regulation activities for preschoolers

Planning, focus, steps in order, and staying calm

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The Floating Button Boat RescueAges 3 to 5The Floating Button Boat RescueEye-Hand CoordinationGraspSequencingYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Buttons · Markers · Paper Cup · Sponge · Tongs · WaterThe Cardboard Box Gear ShifterAges 3 to 5The Cardboard Box Gear ShifterBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationSequencingYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Roll · ScissorsThe Ribbon-Linked Clip PathAges 3+The Ribbon-Linked Clip PathBilateral Hand UsePincer GraspSequencingYou'll need: Clothespins · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Plate · Ribbon · ScissorsThe Rainbow Tissue WindmillAges 3+The Rainbow Tissue WindmillBilateral Hand UsePincer ControlSequencingYou'll need: Beads · Masking Tape · Pencil · Pipe Cleaners · Scissors · Straws · Tissue PaperThe Growing Newspaper TreeAges 3+The Growing Newspaper TreeBilateral Hand UseCuttingSequencingYou'll need: Masking Tape · Newspaper · ScissorsThe Cardboard Box Pinball GoalAges 3+The Cardboard Box Pinball GoalExecutive FunctioningEye-Hand CoordinationMotor PlanningYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Ping Pong Ball · Scissors · Shoe Box · Straws

Self-care and school readiness activities for preschoolers

Cutting, writing, eating, and self-care

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The Pincer Mask MakerAges 3+The Pincer Mask MakerCuttingPincer GraspVisual MotorYou'll need: Beans · Glue · Paper Bag · Scissors · SequinsThe Shiny Foil Crown CrimpAges 3 to 5The Shiny Foil Crown CrimpBilateral Hand UseCuttingFinger StrengthYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Cardboard · Markers · ScissorsThe Foil Cupcake ScoopAges 3 to 5The Foil Cupcake ScoopBilateral Hand UsePincer ControlSelf Help (Feeding)You'll need: Aluminum Foil · Baking Cups · Beads · SpoonThe Foil Pan Bead ScoopAges 1 to 5The Foil Pan Bead ScoopEye-Hand CoordinationGraspSelf Help (Feeding)You'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Beads · Bowl · Easter Eggs · Spoon · WaterThe Blooming Paper Water LilyAges 3+The Blooming Paper Water LilyCuttingFine Motor ControlVisual MotorYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Construction Paper · Markers · Scissors · WaterThe Growing Newspaper TreeAges 3+The Growing Newspaper TreeBilateral Hand UseCuttingSequencingYou'll need: Masking Tape · Newspaper · Scissors

Questions parents ask

What skills do OT activities build in preschoolers?

The 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.

How long should an activity last?

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.

Can I use these activities in a preschool classroom?

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.

Browse other ages

Toddlers (1 to 3)School age (6+)