Looking for an indoor activity for your preschooler that’s both fun and educational?
Then you need a busy bag!
Or if you’re like me and like to drink coffee while it’s still hot then you may want two…or three…or four!
Because once you venture into the world of low prep-high fun (and learning!) busy bags you’ll be hooked. They’re a great hands-on way for kids to learn and play on their own.
Make this foam heart lacing busy bag today!
Heart Lacing Busy Bag
This lacing busy bag could not be easier to prep! Look for foam hearts at the store to save yourself even more time–you can usually find a package of foam hearts for a dollar.
Here’s what you need:
- colorful craft foam or pre-cut foam hearts
- single hole punch
- shoelace or other sturdy string
- resealable plastic bag for storage
Simple Lacing Busy Bag
Once your foam heart lacing busy bag is ready you can take it with you anywhere and sneak in some fine motor practice on the go.
- If you don’t have pre-cut foam hearts then use scissors to cut your craft foam into heart shapes.
- Use the hole punch to punch holes along the edges of the heart for lacing. Make sure to leave a space between the hole and the edge so the holes don’t rip through.
- If you think it is necessary for your child you can start the shoelace through one of the holes for them.
- Let your child start lacing!
Fine Motor Learning with Lacing
These heart foam lacing cards do more than just keep kids busy. They also also helping preschoolers develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Moving the shoelace through the holes of the heart is a great way to strengthen hands and fingers and help them start building the skills they need for handwriting.
Children with newly developing fine motor skills may find it easier to lace the hearts when the holes are spaced farther apart. You can also modify the busy bag by encouraging them to lace across the heart instead of around it.
To make it more challenging add smaller ribbons and strings to the bag for kids to lace with. The best thing about these types of activities is that there is no right or wrong way to play. Start with your child’s current skill level and let the busy bag grow with her.
More Preschool Busy Bag Fun
There are so many ways for preschoolers to play and learn with hearts! Here are five more heart-themed busy bags you can prep once for your kids to play with again and again. You’ll finally have time to finish your coffee before it gets cold!
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Play Dough Heart Decorating Kit // Simple Play Ideas
Valentines 10 Frame Counting Cards // Stay at Home Educator
Heart Lacing Busy Bag // Coffee Cups & Crayons
Heart Faces Busy Bag // Powerful Mothering
Counting Hearts Busy Bag // Teach Me Mommy
Name Recognition Alphabet Hearts // Modern Preschool
But wait! There’s more!
If you love playing and learning with busy bags as much as we do then you’ll LOVE our ebook!
The Busy Bag Book is jam-packed with busy bag activities kids can play with all by themselves while you do something else. You need this book!
Click here for more information —>> The Busy Bag Book
Dianne says
I love these ideas!!!
Megan Sheakoski says
Thanks Dianne!
Niki at Toot's Mom is Tired says
So cute! Going to try it this weekend!