Inside this post we share a simple playdough fine motor activity for preschoolers using beads! It’s quick to set up and so fun!
How do you make playdough interesting?
Grab some beads and pipe cleaners and try this simple playdough fine motor activity!
The amount of things you can make with playdough can be overwhelming! To help kids get started creating, give them this simple playdough making prompt!
“Let’s make a playdough person!“
Related: Need more easy to set up fine motor activities? Here are 30 of our favorite simple fine motor activities for preschoolers.
Materials Needed to make Playdough People:
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The materials needed for this simple playdough fine motor activity are pretty minimal! Set up only takes a minute or two!
Help kids build strong fine motor skills with Fine Motor Magic!
A simple guide for busy parents to strengthen their kids’ fine motor skills at home.
How to set up this Playdough Fine Motor Activity:
- Take one color of playdough out of the container and place it on a tray.
- Cut pipe cleaners in half to make smaller pieces.
- Place a variety of colorful pony beads nearby or in a muffin tin for easy access.
- Place two googly eyes on the craft tray.
Playdough People Instructions:
- Encourage your child to roll the playdough into a ball to make their playdough person’s head.
- Press the ball onto the tray to secure it in place.
- Have the child push colorful pipe cleaners into the top of the playdough ball to make hair. I like to encourage kids to have us least 4 pipe cleaners pieces.
- Next add a face to the playdough ball with beads and googly eyes.
- Finally, encourage kids to use beads to make their playdough person have cool colorful hair.
Why is playdough good for building fine motor skills?
Rolling, pinching and creating with playdough helps strengthen the small muscles in kid’s fingers and hands.
The OT Toolbox shares entire post on the benefits of playdough!
Playdough is one of the most versatile and fun tools parents and teachers can use to help kids strengthen their fine motor skills!
Kids also build hand and finger muscles during this playdough and beading activity using the threading and pushing motion as they put the beads onto the pipe cleaners. They also practice using small precise movements during this activity.
Definitely pull out some playdough to try this simple activity!
More playdough activities for kids
Do you have a kid who LOVES playdough?! Here are a few other easy ideas!
