In the first part of this article series, we wrote about the currently often-used “fine motor skills” term. We helped to understand what they are and shared ideas on how you can develop these important skills through playing together. In the second part, we have collected some more useful ideas for you.

The next game we recommend is called Mistery bag. It is a very funny game that parents, siblings, children can play together. You don’t need anything else but a bag in which you can hide little toys – for example from a Kinder Egg, or any little objects like glass balls, cotton balls, etc. It is recommended to choose objects that are well-known for the children. Place the objects in front of you and examine them with attention. Encourage the kids to touch the objects, and name them. Then put 5-6 pieces in the bag. Later on, you can change them. Show the kids first how to play: Place your hand in the bag and hold an object without watching. Try to find out what you found and tell: I have found the glass ball. Name the object first and then take it out of the bag. Then it’s the children’s turn. It is possible that they will peek first, but over time they will boost their confidence in themselves and in their hands.
You can make this game easier for the smaller ones because they don’t necessarily recognize the objects by touch. Take 2 glass balls and 2 cotton balls, and place one of them on the table while the other one in the bag. Ask the children to choose one and then try to find the pair of it using only their hands. This game is very exciting and it develops fine motor skills, touching, and concentration.

Busy boards are also good options to play and improve. They can be made by handy moms and dads easily at home. You can personalize the boards according to the interests of the child. Have a wooden or plastic board or cardboard piece and collect objects that can be interesting for the kid. Lockets, fasteners, old phones, flashlights, remote controllers, wheels, shoelaces, zippers, and so on. Try to find objects with a big variety of materials. For instance, use textiles, plastic, metal, or rubber objects to help the child get to know various textures.
Apply the objects on your board but pay attention to place only safe objects on it! Burnish the edges, make sure that nothing is sharp, and cannot cause harm to the child.

If you are ready, you can drill it on the wall or place it on the ground. These boards develop lots of skills besides fine motor skills. They also give knowledge about objects, shapes, and colours. While the child is playing with the busy board, pushes the buttons of a remote controller or turn a light switch on and off, (s)he becomes more confident and precise about his/her coordination.

Fine motor skills develop at a different pace in every case, you don’t have to urge them, but you can make the development more exciting with these kinds of games.

We hope we could give you some inspiration.
Have a pleasant playing time!

Nikoletta Széki, Meseerdő

This article is translated by Anita Nagy.
Click here for the Hungarian version.