Fine Motor Skills
Apps for Fine Motor Skills
Apps for Fine Motor Skills![]()
Apps for Fine Motor Skills
These apps for fine motor skill development might not be your go-to fine motor task when it comes to strengthening hands and promoting dexterity. But for the child that struggles with fine motor skills, a tablet or iPad app can be a motivating and meaningful way to address developmental skills. Remember that all kids are different and all have specific needs, so these recommendations may not work for every child or individual.
- Dot to dot Game – Connect the dots ABC Kids Games- This free app is great for toddlers, preschoolers, or young children working on precision, dexterity, and fine motor work. the app addresses letter and number formation.
- Tiny Roads - This free app allows children to connect objects while working on precision and finger isolation.
- Montessori Fine Motor Skills Game School Numbers - This fine motor app helps users work on eye-hand coordination, precision, and finger isolation while working on numbers, letters, and shapes.
With an app, it is possible to address functional, fine motor skills:
- Stylus use (tripod grasp or functional pencil grasp needed)
- Button pressing (finger isolation)
- Pressing in one specific area of a tablet surface so several areas are not depressed
(separation of the sides of the hand) - Keyboard use (finger isolation, keyboard use, finger dexterity)
- Managing a device within a stimulating and distracting environment, without dropping the device (motor planning)
- Filling in passwords, forms, and data points on games and activities (executive functioning skills)
Shoe Tying
Shoe Tying![]()
Shoe Tying
Videos to help with teaching traditional shoe tying:
Videos to help with an alternative method to shoe tying:
Fine Motor Skill Activities for Home
Fine Motor Skill Activities for Home![]()
Fine Motor Skill Activities for Home
Cooking:
My #1 recommendation to families is to allow your child to cook with you, whether it is helping make dinner or a snack or a specific cooking activity that you are going to complete with them.
Skills Cooking works on:
Skills Cooking works on:
- Strengthens Fine Motor Skills
- Stirring batter, opening containers, sprinkling toppings, using cookie cutters, and measuring ingredients all help children develop stronger hands and more precise finger movements. These skills support handwriting, using scissors, and classroom tasks.
- Builds Hand Strength and Coordination
- Mixing, kneading dough, squeezing bottles, or using kitchen tools (like peelers or tongs) gives kids a fun, meaningful workout for the muscles in their hands and arms. Cooking also encourages using both hands together—an important skill for dressing, writing, and sports.
- Encourages Independence and Life Skills
- Cooking helps kids feel capable and confident. Learning to follow steps, measure ingredients, and prepare simple snacks teaches real-life independence they’ll use as they grow.
- Supports Sensory Processing
- Kneading dough, washing fruits, smelling spices, or listening to food sizzle offers rich sensory experiences in a positive, low-pressure way. Kids can explore messy, squishy, smooth, or crunchy textures at their own pace.
- Boosts Visual and Executive Functioning Skills
- Reading a recipe, gathering ingredients, and following steps helps children practice planning, sequencing, attention, and organization—skills needed for homework, school routines, and daily tasks.
- Encourages Communication and Social Skills
- Cooking creates natural moments for talking, taking turns, asking for help, and working together. It’s a great way to slow down and connect as a family.
Kid safe knives for cooking activities: Kids cut safe knife kit
Other Ways to Work on Fine Motor Skills at Home:
- Play-Dough Play
- Roll, pinch, squeeze, cut, and shape play-dough to build hand strength and finger coordination.
- Lego or Block Building
- Snapping pieces together strengthens little hand muscles and improves dexterity.
- Tweezers or Tongs Pick-Up
- Use tweezers, tongs, or clothespins to pick up small items like cotton balls, pom-poms, or mini toys.
- Buttoning, Zipping & Fasteners
- Practice on shirts, jackets, or dressing boards to build independence and fine motor control.
- Finger Painting or Q-Tip Art
- Use fingertips, cotton swabs, or small brushes for drawing, dot art, and letter practice.
- Craft Projects
- Cutting, gluing, tearing paper, and decorating crafts help strengthen hands and improve precision.
- Coloring & Drawing
- Use crayons, colored pencils, chalk, or markers to build grip strength and control.
