The reason you see fine motor activities all over the internet for preschoolers is that developing these skills is so important. They’re the foundation for the formal skills of writing and tying shoes, but also are used for building, playing, creating, cooking and more. Giving kids opportunities to practice and develop their fine motor skills–like with this apple lacing busy bag–increases their confidence and ability to engage in their world.
Busy bags have long been a favorite way to sneak in fine motor practice because kids can use them over and over again getting in valuable practice each time they play. They also keep kids busy and having fun on their own so you have a chance to get something else done.
Fine Motor Apple Lacing Busy Bag
Supplies needed:
- red paper plate or card stock circle
- single hole punch
- green plastic string or yarn
- brown construction paper
- hot glue (optional)
How to Make the Busy Bag
This one is so simple to make you probably already have figured it out!
- Use the hole punch to punch holes along the edge of the plate or cardstock circle.
- Add a stem to the top of the plate with the brown paper.
- Cut a piece of green plastic string or yarn that’s long enough for a child to lace through the edges of the plate. If using yarn you can add tape to the end of it to provide a firm point to make lacing easier for little fingers.
- To keep the string with the plate for storage or ease of use you can use hot glue to attach it to the back of the plate. Or leave it separate if you think that will work better for your child.
Kids develop fine motor skills by using their fingers to lace the string through the holes in the edge of the plate. As they navigate the holes they are strengthening their muscles and stretching their brains to problem solve at the same time. All with a simple paper plate with holes in it!
You can adapt this simple design to the level your child is working at. If simple lacing around the edge isn’t enough of a challenge then poke holes throughout the center of the plate for them to lace. You can even number the holes to add in some counting practice!
Keep the Apple Busy Bag Fun Going
As long as you have the red plates grab some more supplies from the craft cabinet and make an apple seed counting busy bag for your kiddos! In less that 10 minutes you can have two apple-riffic busy bags ready for the kids to play and learn with.
But wait, there’s even more!
Keep the apple fun going with 20 more apple activities kids will love!
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Letter Matching Apple Tree Activity // Mom Inspired Life
Apple Lacing Fine Motor Bag // Coffee Cups and Crayons
Kindergarten Math Activity: Apple Matching Game // Schooling a Monkey
Bobbing for Apples Fine Motor Activity // Stir the Wonder
Write and Wipe Math Cards | Bobbing for Apples // Science Kiddo
Apple Life Cycle Printable Book // Stay at Home Educator
Apple Number Match // A Dab of Glue Will Do
Apple Life Cycle Hat // The STEM Laboratory
Fine Motor Strengthening Apple Activity // Sugar Aunts
Apple Tree Counting Puzzles // The Kindergarten Connection
Apple Shape Matching Game // Life Over Cs
Oatmeal Apple Crisp: A Recipe for Kids // Liz’s Early Learning Spot
Apple Addition Write and Wipe Cards // Playdough to Plato
Johnny Appleseed Apple Coverall Games // Recipe for Teaching
Apple Play Dough Surprise Activity // Play & Learn Every Day
Apple Counting Book // Fun-A-Day
Balancing Apples Up on Top // Sara J Creations
Apple Seed Counting Busy Bag // Powerful Mothering
Apple Alphabet Puzzles // The Letters of Literacy
Apple Subitizing Cards // The Simplified Classroom
Editable Apple Sight Word Game // DIY Farm Wife
Apple Tree Busy Box // Teach Me Mommy
Apple Ten Frames // Still Playing School
Tracing Letters Printable Apples // Modern Preschool
CVC Spelling Mats // Fairy Poppins
Apple Color Matching Activity // Frogs Snails and Puppy Dog Tails
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