FINE MOTOR SKILLS

ACTIVITY PACKET

For Parents, Teachers, and Therapists

W W W . G R O W I N G H A N D S O N K I D S . C O M
 Copyright © 2017, Heather Greutman - Growing Hands-On Kids, LLC

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All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be
reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express
written permission from the author except for the use of brief
quotations in a book review.

Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. This

product is for educational use only. The advice and tips given are not a
replacement for medical advice from a physician or pediatrician. Please
consult their advice if you suspect any medical or developmental delay with
your child. This book and tips do not replace the relationship between
therapist and client in a one-on-one treatment session with an
individualized treatment plan based on their professional evaluation.
Please seek out your local Occupational Therapist for an evaluation if you
suspect any delays in fine motor skills or other skills with your child.

All activities are designed to be completed with adult supervision. Please

use your judgment when setting up these activities for your child and do
not provide items that could pose a choking hazard for young children.
Never leave a child unattended when completing any of these activities.
Please also be aware of all age recommendations on the products you are
using with your child. The author is not liable for any injury caused to your
child while completing any of these activities.

W W W . G R O W I N G H A N D S O N K I D S . C O M
 Typical Developmental Sequence of

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

for ages 0-6

0-3 Months Old

Hands are in a fisted position

Arm movements are random and not controlled
Will watch the movement of their hands and brings hands to their mouth
Will swing at targets (toys, person) using their whole arm
Will follow a person's movements with their eyes
Will begin to hold objects in their hands

3-6 Months Old

Reaches for toys using both arms
Begins to transfer objects from one hand to another
Will hold their hands together
Begins to notice objects a few feet away from them

6-9 Months Old

Begins to grasp & hold onto objects
Uses a raking grasp to move objects with fingers
Looking for one object while holding another
Pokes at objects using their index finger
Take objects to their mouth
Explore textures and sensory input with their mouths
Begin to hold their bottle
Squeezes objects with their fist
Play with their own hands

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 Typical Developmental Sequence of

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

for ages 0-6

9-12 Months Old

Begins to feed themselves finger foods
Will turn pages in a book a few pages at a time
Begins to put small objects in a cup or container
Pincer grasp develops (using index finger and thumb to grasp objects)
Transfers objects between hands (beginning of crossing midline skills)
Grabs crayons with a fisted grasp
Can hold two small objects in one hand
Begins to show a preference for one hand over the other (beginning development of right
handed vs. left handed)

12-18 Months Old

Can build a tower of 2 blocks high
Claps hands together (beginning of bilateral coordination)
Waves goodbye
Can scoop objects with a spoon or small shovel
Bangs objects together using both hands (beginning of
bilateral coordination)
Puts small objects into a container
Scribbles with crayons on paper

18-24 Months Old

Putting rings on pegs
Begins holding a crayon with finger tips and thumb
Removing pegs from a pegboard
Marks or scribbles with a crayon or pencil
Can build a tower 3-4 blocks high
Can open loosely wrapped packages or containers
Begins to start cutting paper with scissors (closer to 2 years old)
Can turn pages in a book one page at a time

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 Typical Developmental Sequence of

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

for ages 0-6

2 Years old
Manipulates clay or play dough
Can stack a block tower 9 blocks high
Can turn doorknobs
Can pick up small objects with pincer grasp (index finger
and thumb)
Can complete 3 piece puzzles
Scribbles
Make snips on paper with scissors
Will wash hands independently
Can screw lids on containers on and off
Can string large beads
Zips and unzips large zippers
Can use a spoon correctly

3 Years Old
Can draw a circle after being shown model
Cuts a piece of paper in half
Copies prewriting lines of vertical, horizontal, and circle
shapes
Laces a card
Can cut a long a wide line with 1/2" accuracy
Will string 1/2 inch beads
Sorts objects
Will fasten and unfasten large buttons

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 Typical Developmental Sequence of

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

for ages 0-6
4 Years old
Can copy cross shapes, right and left oblique lines "/" "\",
square and X shapes
Can touch the tip of each finger to their thumb
Can color within a picture with no more than 1/4" deviations
from the coloring lines
Can cut big circles with scissors
Can move the paper while cutting along a line
Completes puzzles of 4-5 pieces
Can use a fork correctly
Can get dressed and undressed without help
Uses dominate hand
5 Years Old
Grasps a pencil correctly
Begins to print their name
Copies a triangle shape
Cuts out a circle
Opens a lock with a key
Draw a diamond shape when given a model
Draws a person with at least 6 different body parts
Can lace their shoes
6 Years Old
Can copy first name
Builds a small structure with blocks
Can put a 16-20 piece puzzle together
Uses a knife to cut food
Cuts well with scissors, no deviations from the cutting line
Prints 3 or more simple words
Can print all numbers 0-9
Can print all letters of the alphabet, upper case and lower case

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 7 BODY AWARENESS ACTIVITIES

1. Play with a large ball, encourage the child to kick the ball using
one foot and then the other. Practice throwing and catching the ball.

2. Encourage the child to ride a bike, push the bike or pedal the bike
with or without side-wheels according to the child’s ability.

3. Play “Simon Says”. Say those words and then do an action that the
child must copy.

4. To teach a child spatial relations, ask them to stand in front of a

chair, behind a chair, next to the chair, on top of the chair or crouch
under the chair.

5. Have the child be your shadow and mimic all your actions as you
walk and perform simple actions (i.e. marching in place, cross
crawls, bringing elbows to the knee, raising arms above the head
etc).

6. Learn action songs and perform the actions as you sing them.
Ask the child to imitate the movement of different animals: slither
like a snake, waddle like a duck, hop like a rabbit etc.

7. Encourage them to balance on one leg, and then the other for as
long as possible. Time them to see if they can beat their own best
record.

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 17 BILATERAL COORDINATION ACTIVITIES

1. Stencils - make sure they hold the stencil 8. Scissor activities. Use one hand to hold and
with one hand while tracing with the other turn the paper, the other to cut.
hand.
9. Pounding or hammer activities. Use one
2. Hand clapping activities. hand to stabilize, the other to pound.

3. Lacing activities - lacing cards or lace up 10. Encourage use of the dominate hand/arm
stockings (two pieces of construction paper for pounding.
with holes punched around the edges).
11. Roll dough with a rolling pin.
4. Liter tube - cut off the bottom of 2, two liter
bottles. Stuff the bottles with crumpled 12. Squeeze objects (i.e. glue bottles) with
colored paper. Use clear packing tape to both hands.
connect wide ends of the bottle together.
Have the child hold the “handles” with both 13. Use both arms to twirl streamers or
hands. Toss crumpled paper or a soft ball for scarves.
the child to hit with the liter tube.
14. Build with building blocks.
5. Games like Bop It, Mr. Potato Head (make
sure the child stabilizes the head with one 15. Trace patterns on paper.
hand while placing body parts with the other
hand), Rubik’s cube, Etch-A-Sketch, rhythm 16. Spread icing on cookies, cakes etc.
sticks, and Legos® are all fantastic for
practicing bilateral skills. 17. Tear lettuce for a salad, tissue paper for
crafts etc.
6. Play Four Square - make sure the child uses
both hands to bounce the ball.

7. Ball and balloon games - have the child use

both hands to pass the ball or balloon
overhead, between legs, roll at a target etc.

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 20 CROSSING MIDLINE ACTIVITIES

for kids of all ages

1. Playing with rhythm scarves

2. Playing with blocks (stacking)
3. Dancing to music
4. Using a washcloth to bathe
5. Dusting or sweeping the house
6. Playing patty-cake
7. Playing with cars on a large path
8. Playing flashlight tag
9. Washing the car
10. Painting with a large paint roll
11. Cross crawls (touching hand to opposite foot or knee)
12. Wipe off the table with a towel or washcloth using one
hand
13. Stepping with out to throw a water balloon
14. Draw a large, horizontal figure 8 on a chalk board or
sidewalk
15. Squirt/water gun target practice
16. Water flowers with a garden hose using both hands
17. Ball pass relay races
18. Bean bag toss while sitting criss cross applesauce
19. Playing tennis
20. Playing a game of simon says

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FINE MOTOR TOOLKIT

for parents, teachers, and therapists

Items to Include

Play Dough (homemade or store Water dropper and/or turkey

bought) baster
Nuts and bolts Glue sticks
Clothes pins and ring game Glitter glue bottle
Fine Motor tweezers Colored craft stick with velcro dots
Fine motor tongs on each end
Bubble tongs Kwik Stix paint
Stickers Beads and string for threading
Wikki Stix beads
Squeeze ball Kinetic Sand
Peg game Cookie cutters
Pom-poms Wooden blocks to make designs
Cotton balls

Optional Items

TheraPutty
Gripmaster Hand Exerciser
I Can Pound Kit from Fundanoodle (can be purchased at:
[Link]/growinghandsonkids

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 FINE MOTOR TOOLS
ITEMS TO HAVE ON HAND FOR ACTIVITIES

Handy scoopers Glue sticks

Gator grabber tweezers (or bubble Glitter glue bottle
tongs) Colored craft stick
Twisty droppers Velcro dots
Squeeze tweezers Glue dots
Various wooden spoons Kwik Stix paint
Scooping bowls Beads and string for threading beads
Fine motor tongs Kinetic sand
Hole punch Cookie cutters
Play dough (homemade or store Wooden blocks to make designs
bought) Craft pipe cleaners
Nuts and bolts Colander
Clothes pins Child size cooking utensils
Squeeze bottles (such as old Ketchup Magnets
or mustard bottles) Beads
Stickers Buttons (various sizes)
Wikki Stix Toothpicks
Squeeze ball Circle cereal
Peg board and pegs String for lacing or stringing activities
Pom-poms Puzzles
Cotton balls TheraPutty
Water dropper and/or turkey baster

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SHOULDER AND POSTURAL
STABILITY ACTIVITIES
Activities that promote weight bearing through the arms and shoulders.
Weight bearing through the arms and shoulders.
Swinging between monkey bars or trapezes.
Wheelbarrow walking.
Crab-walking.
Bear walking.
Doing the inchworm (walk hands forward, then the hands stay still and
the feet walk up to the hands and repeat).
Push-ups.
Shooting baskets with a basketball.
Jumping rope.
Egg relay races.
Playing with a yo-yo.
Making large circles or figure 8 shapes on a blackboard or white board.
Any activities on a vertical surface.
Donkey kicks - in the push-up position, keep both ankles together while
jumping feet from right to left and back again.
Pouring activities with water or a watering can.
Push or pull a wagon.
Make wood projects requiring sanding and hammering.

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 HAND AND FINGER
STRENGTH ACTIVITIES
Use tweezers or chopsticks for picking up small objects.
Pick up pom-poms with clothespins and transferring to a container.
Use squirt bottles for a rubber duck race.
Use a turkey baster to transfer water.
Use a hand held hole punch for arts and crafts.
Create with modeling clay or playdough.
Tear paper while keeping the ring and pinky finger tucked into the
palms.
Stringing beads.
Roll tissue paper into balls and use for collages or crafts.
Roll a dice for a game.
Shuffling cards.
Using scissors.
Lacing or threading activities - macaroni, straws, blocks, beads.
Complete mazes.
Dot-to-dots tracing over straight and curvy lines.
Writing letters or numbers in shaving cream, finger paint, pudding, or
sand.

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 VISUAL MOTOR SKILL
ACTIVITIES
Copy patterns or pictures using shapes, pegs or crayons.
Put together models.
Dot-to-dot pages.
Complete mazes.
Hidden picture search and find pages.
Word searches.
Put together puzzles.
Lacing activities.
Ring toss games.
Practice cutting with scissors.
Transfer objects with bubble tongs.
Cut straws into small pieces and string to make a necklace.
Cut playdough or putty.
Cut out foam shapes.
Cut pictures out of cereal boxes.

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 HAND AND FINGER
STRENGTH ACTIVITIES
GRIP STRENGTH
Squeeze putty, a flour sifter, or plastic squeeze bottles.
Squeeze a turkey baster for activities with water or other liquids.
Squeeze juice from lemons, limes, or oranges.
Squeeze a spray bottle (to water plants, clean windows, spray designs in the snow).
Stir batter in a bowl.
Staple papers together with a small stapler.
Use a hole punch to make dots or creative shapes.

PINCH STRENGTH
Peel stickers off of surfaces.
Peel fruit (i.e. lemons, oranges etc.).
Lock and unlock a keyed lock.
Deal cards for a card game.
Use tongs to pick up small objects (cotton balls, smaller erasers, pom-poms etc.).
Spin tops.
Play with wind-up toys.
Tear paper (construction paper or tissue paper) for art projects.
Build with small blocks.
Roll small amounts of putty or playdough into balls between the fingers.
Lace cards.
Pick up small objects (i.e. beans, rice, cereal, corn kernels) with fingers and place in
containers.
Place coins into a bank with a small slit.
Pop bubbles on bubble wrap.
Use small rubber stamps to create a picture.
String beads to make a necklace.
Pinch clothespins (for laundry or games).

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 HAND AND FINGER
STRENGTH ACTIVITIES
FINGER DEXTERITY
Press cookie cutters into dough or putty.
Play with finger puppets.
Screw and unscrew small lids or nuts and bolts.
Fold paper (i.e. origami, airplanes etc.).
Hold a handful of marbles, transferring one at a time into a
container.
Draw shapes and write words in a variety of mediums (i.e.
shaving cream, sand, finger paint, hair gel in a baggie, etc.).
Draw designs on an Etch-a-Sketch board.
Play board games with small pieces to manipulate (i.e. Connect
4, Trouble, Chinese Checkers, Chess etc.).
Use fingers to sprinkle toppings on food (i.e. sprinkles, shredded
cheese etc.).

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PRE-WRITING ACTIVITIES
Use a paintbrush in sand
Use a finger in shaving cream
Use stickers to place along the pre-writing lines
Use wooden sticks or craft sticks to place on top of pre-writing lines
Use fine motor tweezers to place cotton balls along pre-writing lines
Cover the pre-writing line page with cornmeal and trace with a finger
Use bath crayons on the bathtub or during a shower
Use play dough to form pre-writing lines
Squeeze glitter glue along pre-writing lines
Use pip-cleaners to place along or form pre-writing lines.
Use mini marshmallows and tooth picks to form letters or pre-writing lines
Writing icing ice cubes on a chalk board
Make cookie letters or pre-writing lines using a rolling pin.
Trace letters or lines onto your child’s back with your finger and have them guess
which letter you wrote
Make letters and lines with pipe cleaners or wikki stix.
Form letters or lines with french fries
Use a flashlight to make letters or lines/shapes on the wall
Draw letters or lines/shapes on the carpet with your fingers
Draw letters or lines/shapes outside with sidewalk chalk
Make letters or lines/shapes with glue and cotton balls (draw the letter or line in glue
on a piece of construction paper, then place the cotton balls on top to form each
letter)
Have your child lay on the floor and imitate letters or shapes with their bodies
(example: curling into a circle for the letter “O”, making their body look like a “S” and
so on)

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 FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES
50
for children ages 0-3

Bilateral Coordination Skills

1. Turning pages of a board book
2. Stringing 1/2 inch to 1 inch beads on a thick string
3. Throwing or catching soft balls
4. Hand clapping games
5. Building with Duplos® or Legos®
6. Squeezing bottles such as a ketchup bottle with both hands
7. Rolling dough (Bread, play dough) with a rolling pin
8. Pressing cookie cutters into dough
9. Drawing a picture with a simple stencil
10. Put rings on a pegs on a board
Scissor Skills
11. Using play dough scissors to make snips in the
dough
12. Simulate cutting by transferring objects with bubble
tongs
13. Cut straws into small pieces for a necklace
14. Cut out foam shapes
15. Complete simple 2-4 turn mazes (holding paper with
opposite hand)
16. Complete simple connect the dots (holding paper
with opposite hand)
17. Fold paper in half
18. Squeezing a spray bottle to water plants, clean
windows etc
19. Squeezing a spray bottle to water plants or clean
windows
20. Lacing cards

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 FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES
50
for children ages 0-3

Pre-Writing Skills
21. Use tongs to pick up small objects (cotton balls, cereal
pieces, rice, beans)
22. Coloring or scribbling with age appropriate grasp
23. Roll play dough pre-writing shapes (horizontal/vertical lines
and circle shapes)
24. Squeeze plastic bottles or turkey baster and transfer water
25. Squeeze putty or play dough
26. Pinch clothes pins (laundry or game)
27. Draw shapes or lines in shaving cream or hair gel
28. Draw with an Etch-A-Sketch
29. Trace a simply pattern on paper
30. Use finger paint inside a plastic bag to practice lines and shapes

Fine Motor Control

31. Put together 3-4 piece puzzles
32. Build a block tower (up to 10 high, depending on age)
33. Place pegs into a peg board
34. Put coins into a piggy bank
35. Scoop objects with a small spoon or shovel
36. Push small objects into a container or cup
37. Screwing and unscrewing lids off of containers
38. Counting objects such a buttons, beads, cotton balls
39. Push food squeeze pouch caps into a baby wipes
container
40. Pounding golf tees into foam with a hammer

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50 FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES

for children ages 0-3

Sensory Activities
41. Ball pit (use a plastic wading pool with ball pit balls)
42. Water play with buckets, cups, and other pouring items
43. Place strips of fabric in an empty baby wipes box
44. Cooked spaghetti play (use with tongs and other fine motor tools)
45. Corn meal sensory bin (use with pouring and transferring dishes)
46. Sound box (include rattles, drums, bells, and other musical
instruments to grasp)
47. Make a discovery bottle out of a clean water bottle
48. Make homemade play dough with essential oils (1-2 drops only)
49. Make homemade finger paint with essential oils (1-2 drops only)
50. Texture sticks for counting or patterns

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 50 FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES

for children ages 3-6

Bilateral Coordination Skills

1. Use peg boards
2. Lacing cards
3. Building with Legos®
4. Tear lettuce into pieces for a salad
5. Tear construction paper for a collage
6. Peeling stickers
7. Spread icing on cookies or cupcakes
8. Use both arms to twirl streamers
9. Making bead necklaces or bracelets
10. Putting up to 12 piece puzzles together

Scissor Skills

11. Cut straws into 3rds and use to make a necklace

12. Complete 4-6 turn mazes
13. Cut out circle, triangle, and square shapes
14. Cut out clothes for stick people with craft sticks
15. Folding paper into fourths
16. Cutting with crinkle cut or design scissors
17. Threading Buttons
18. Cut out colored lines and make a rainbow
19. Cutting yarn
20. Complete a cutting activity book

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 50 FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES

for children ages 3-6

Pre-Writing Skills

21. Use clothespins to pick up objects

22. Pinch fruit loops and slide over tooth picks
23. Form letters with wiki stix
24. Push beads onto pipe cleaners
25. Form lines and shapes with pipe cleaners
26. Use fine motor tweezers or tongs to pick up objects
27. Trace letters in shaving cream
28. Trace sandpaper letters
29. Use letter stamps to form their name
30. String letter beads on string to form their name

Fine Motor Control

31. Use a hole punch to cut out designs
32. Button or unbutton large buttons on clothing or button
board
33. Drawing a person with at least 6 body parts included
34. Learn to tie their shoes
35. Build complex shapes (towers, bridges, pyramids, etc)
with blocks
36. Screwing various size lids onto containers
37. Practice coloring within the lines
38. Tracing around their own hand with a pencil or crayon
39. Reeling a fishing pole.
40. Simple food preparation (measuring, stirring, cutting soft
items with a butter knife)

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50 FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES

for children ages 3-6

Sensory Activities

41. Play with sensory bins

42. Finger painting coloring pages or a picture
43. Popping large bubble wrap
45. Playing with bread dough
46. Planting flowers or plants in a garden
47. Drawing in sand
48. Washing dishes
49. Drawing or tracing in couscous, rice, lentils etc.
50. Playing with musical instruments (drum,
piano, violin, recorder, etc)

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FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES
0-2 Years Old
Grasping and letting go (rings, blocks, rattles, favorite blanket or stuffed
animal).
Turning objects in their hands Introducing new and novel toys will also
encourage them to explore and turn that object in their hands to figure
it out.
Stacking blocks (for this age stacking 2-6 blocks is age appropriate).
Drawing with crayons (do not use regular crayons at this age, rock
crayons or triangle crayons work best).
Snapping and buttoning (large or extra-large sized buttons).
Taking items out and putting them into containers.
Mess free painting in a sealed plastic bag.
Finger foods during meal times.
Bath toys during bath time (particularly ones that allow them to dump
water).
Music toys such as rattlers and bell shakers.
Pushing blocks through a square or circle shaped hole.
Turning the pages of a board book.
Stringing 1/2 inch to 1 inch sized beads on string.
Hand clapping games.
Building with building blocks.

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 FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES
2-3 Years Old
Squeezing bottles such a ketchup with both Trace a simple pattern or design on paper.
hands. Use finger paint to practice lines and shapes.
Rolling dough (either making bread, cookies, or Put 3-4 piece puzzles together.
play dough). Build a block tower (6-10 blocks high is age
Pressing cookie cutters into dough. appropriate).
Drawing pictures with a simple stencil outline. Place pegs on a peg board.
Putting rings or pegs on a peg board. Put coins into a piggy bank.
Using play dough scissors to make snips in the Scoop objects with a small spoon (rice,
dough. beans, small pasta etc).
Simulate cutting by transferring objects with Screw and unscrew lids on containers.
bubble tongs. Put small objects into a container or cup.
Cut straws into pieces for a necklace. Count objects such a buttons, beads, cotton
Cut out foam shapes. balls.
Complete simple 2-4 turn mazes (be sure they are Pound golf tees into a foam board with a
steadying the paper with the opposite hand). hammer.
Complete simple connect the dots (steadying the Play in a ball pit.
paper with the opposite hand). Water play with buckets, cups and other
Folding paper in half. pouring items.
Squeezing spray bottles to water plants or clean Place strips of fabric in an empty wipes
windows. container and pull them out through the lid.
Complete lacing cards. Cooked spaghetti play using tongs and other
Use tongs to pick up cotton balls, cereal pieces, fine motor tools.
rice, beans etc. Sensory bin with objects for transferring and
Coloring or scribbling with age appropriate grasp. pouring.
Roll play dough shapes such a horizontal or Make a sound box using rattles, drums, bells
vertical lines, circle shapes etc. and other musical instruments.
Squeeze plastic bottles or a turkey baster to Make discovery bottles using water bottles
transfer water. (plastic is best since some children still throw
Squeeze play dough or putty. items at this age).
Pinch clothes pins. Make homemade play dough.
Draw shapes or lines in shaving cream or hair gel. Make homemade finger paint.
Draw with an Etch-A-Sketch. Texture sticks for counting patterns.

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FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES
3-6 Years Old
Place pegs into peg boards. Button or unbutton large buttons on
Complete lacing cards. clothing or button board.
Building with building blocks/bricks. Draw a person with at least 6 body parts
Tear lettuce into pieces for a salad. included.
Tear construction paper for a collage. Learn to tie their shoes.
Peeling stickers. Build complex shapes (towers, bridges,
Spread icing on cookies or cupcakes. pyramids, etc) with blocks.
Use both arms to twirl streamers. Screwing various size lids onto
Making bead necklaces or bracelets. containers.
Putting up to 12 piece puzzles together. Practice coloring within the lines.
Cut straws into pieces and use to make a necklace. Tracing around their own hand with a
Complete 4-6 turn mazes. pencil or crayon.
Cut out circle, triangle, and square shapes. Reeling a fishing pole.
Cut out clothes for stick people with craft sticks. Simple food preparation (measuring,
Folding paper into fourths. stirring, cutting soft items with a butter
Cutting with crinkle cut or design scissors. knife)
Threading buttons. Play with sensory bins.
Cut out colored lines and make a rainbow. Finger painting.
Cutting yarn. Popping large bubble wrap.
Complete a cutting activity book. Playing with bread dough or play dough.
Use clothespins to pick up objects. Planting flowers or plants in a garden.
Pinch fruit loops and slide over tooth picks. Drawing in sand.
Form letters with Wikki Stix. Washing dishes.
Push beads onto pipe cleaners. Drawing or tracing in couscous, rice,
Form lines and shapes with pipe cleaners. lentils, shaving cream etc.
Use fine motor tweezers or tongs to pick up Playing with musical instruments (drum,
objects. piano, violin, recorder, etc)
Trace letters in shaving cream.
Trace sandpaper letters.
Use letter stamps to form their name.
String letter beads to form their name.
Use a hole punch to cut out designs.

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FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES
6 Years Old & Beyond
Art classes
Gymnastics
Yoga
Swimming
Roller blading or roller skating
Team sports (such as baseball, football, soccer, hockey etc)
Wrestling
Tennis
Horseback riding (especially grooming and pre-riding
activities)
Taking care of a pet (dog, cat, bird etc)
Origami (paper folding art)
Cooking and baking
Music lessons (particularly piano, string, or woodwind
instruments)
Jewelry making
Coloring books (those with more detailed designs)
Puzzles (those with 50+ pieces or more detailed pictures)
Dance
Play croquet
Crocheting
Wood working
Building
Computer coding or building computers
Mechanical work
Board games
Playing capture the flag

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 FINE MOTOR SKILLS CHECKLIST
For Infants and Babies (0 - 18 months old)

0-3 months
Hands are in a fisted position.
Arm movements are random and not controlled.
Will watch the movement of their hands and brings their hands to their mouth.
Will swing at targets (toys, person) using their whole arm.
Will follow a person's movements with their eyes (within a few inches from their
face).
Will begin to hold objects in their hands.

3-6 months old

Reaches for toys using both arms.
Begins to transfer objects from one hand to another.
Holds hands together.
Begins to notice objects a few feet away.

6-9 months old

Begin to grasp and hold onto objects.

Uses a raking grasp to move objects with fingers.
Looking for one object while holding another.
Pokes at objects using their index finger.
Takes objects to their mouth.
Explore textures and sensory input with the mouth.
Begin to hold a bottle.
Squeezes objects with their fist.
Play with their own hands.

This checklist should not be used to diagnose any type of delay. It is for educational and informational
purposes only. Please talk to your child's doctor if you suspect any type of fine motor delays in your child.

W W W . G R O W I N G H A N D S O N K I D S . C O M
 FINE MOTOR SKILLS CHECKLIST
For Infants and Babies (0 - 18 months old)

9-12 months
Begins to feed themselves finger foods.
Will turn pages in a book a few pages at a time.
Begins to put small objects in a cup or container.
Pincer grasp develops (using index finger and thumb to grasp objects).
Transfers objects between hands (beginning of crossing midline skills).
Grabs crayons with a fisted grasp.
Can hold two small objects in one hand.
Begins to show a preference for one hand over the other (beginning
development of right handed vs. left handed).

12-18 months old

Can build a tower of 2 blocks high.

Claps hands together (beginning of bilateral coordination).
Waves goodbye.
Can scoop objects with a spoon or small shovel.
Bangs objects together using both hands (beginning of
bilateral coordination).
Puts small objects into a container.
Scribbles with crayons on paper.

This checklist should not be used to diagnose any type of delay. It is for educational and informational
purposes only. Please talk to your child's doctor if you suspect any type of fine motor delays in your child.

W W W . G R O W I N G H A N D S O N K I D S . C O M
 FINE MOTOR SKILLS CHECKLIST
For Toddlers (18 months - 36 months)

18-24 months
Can put rings on pegs.
Begins to hold a crayon with finger tips and thumb.
Removes pegs from a pegboard.
Marks or scribbles with a crayon or pencil.
Can build a tower 3-4 blocks high.
Can open loosely wrapped packages or containers.
Begins to make snips on paper with scissors (closer to 24 months old).
Can turn pages in a book one page at a time.

24 months old
Manipulates clay or play dough with fingers.
Can build a tower 9 blocks high.
Can turn doorknobs.
Can pick up small objects with pincer grasp (index finger and thumb).
Can complete 3 piece puzzles.
Makes scribbles on paper.
Makes snips on paper with scissors.
Can wash hands independently.
Can screw lids on and off containers.
Able to string large beads.
Zips and unzips large zippers.
Able to use a spoon correctly.

36 months old
Able to cut a piece of paper in half.
Can copy pre-writing lines (vertical, horizontal, and circle shapes).
Able to complete lacing cards.
Can cut a long, wide line with 1/2" accuracy.
Able to string 1/2 inch beads.
Can sort objects by color, size, types etc.
Able to fasten and unfasten large buttons.

This checklist should not be used to diagnose any type of delay. It is for educational and informational
purposes only. Please talk to your child's doctor if you suspect any type of fine motor delays in your child.

W W W . G R O W I N G H A N D S O N K I D S . C O M
 FINE MOTOR SKILLS CHECKLIST
For Preschoolers (Ages 3 to 5 Years Old)

3 Years Old

Can draw a circle after being shown model.

Cuts a piece of paper in half.
Copies prewriting lines of vertical, horizontal, and circle shapes.
Laces a card.
Can unbutton large buttons.
Can cut a long a wide line with 1/2″ accuracy.
Will string 1/2 inch beads.
Cuts along a line with no more than 1/8-1/4 inch deviation from the line.
Sorts objects.
Will fasten and unfasten large buttons.

4 Years Old
Can copy cross shapes, right and left oblique lines “/” “\”, square and X
shapes.
Can touch the tip of each finger to their thumb.
Can color within a picture with no more than 1/4″ deviations from the
coloring lines.
Can cut big circles with scissors.
Can move the paper while cutting along a line.
Completes puzzles of 4-5 pieces.
Can use a fork correctly.
Can get dressed and undressed without help.
Uses dominate hand.

This checklist should not be used to diagnose any type of delay. It is for educational and informational
purposes only. Please talk to your child's doctor if you suspect any type of fine motor delays in your child.

W W W . G R O W I N G H A N D S O N K I D S . C O M
 FINE MOTOR SKILLS CHECKLIST
For Preschoolers (Ages 3-5 Years Old)

5 Years Old
Grasps a pencil correctly.
Begins to print their name.
Copies a triangle shape.
Cuts out a circle.
Opens a lock with a key.
Draw a diamond shape when given a model.
Draws a person with at least 6 different body parts.
Can tie their shoes.

This checklist should not be used to diagnose any type of delay. It is for educational and informational
purposes only. Please talk to your child's doctor if you suspect any type of fine motor delays in your child.

W W W . G R O W I N G H A N D S O N K I D S . C O M
 FINE MOTOR SKILLS CHECKLIST
For Early Elementary (Ages 6 Years +)

6 Years Old
Can copy first name.
Builds a small structure with blocks.
Can put a 16-20 piece puzzle together.
Uses a knife to cut food.
Cuts well with scissors, no deviations from the cutting line.
Prints 3 or more simple words.
Can print all numbers 0-9.
Can print all letters of the alphabet, upper case and lower case.

6 Years Old +
Fully developed eye-hand coordination.
Use all eating utensils appropriately.
Help with household chores (sweeping, moping, dusting etc).
Able to take care of pets (feeding, grooming, walking etc).
Draw detailed and complex shapes or pictures.
Begin to develop writing and handwriting habits and skills.
Can compete in sports activities appropriately.
Have hobbies they enjoy and complete independently.
Learn a musical instrument.
Begin computer skills and use video games.
Are able to draw with greater control and precision.
Ride a two-wheeled bike.
Learning swimming skills.
Move in time to the beat or rhythm of music.
Able to twist and spin in one place.
Are able to combine motor skills such as running and kicking or moves to music.

This checklist should not be used to diagnose any type of delay. It is for educational and informational
purposes only. Please talk to your child's doctor if you suspect any type of fine motor delays in your child.

W W W . G R O W I N G H A N D S O N K I D S . C O M