Cereal necklaces combine crafting and snack time while also improving the fine motor skills. The project requires O-shaped cereal. Larger cereal pieces are typically easier for toddlers to handle. You also need a piece of yarn or string for the base of the necklace. The child strings the cereal pieces onto the yarn to create an edible necklace. If the necklace takes too long, shorten the string and make a bracelet instead. If your toddler loves the activity, do both a necklace and a bracelet for extra practice. He can munch on his jewelry after the activity is complete.
Buttoning is a basic task that requires fine motor coordination. Learning to button helps toddlers with dressing themselves. The buttons on a toddler's shirt or pants provide a practice opportunity but are sometimes difficult to work with, since the child can't see them very well. For an easier way to practice, sew several buttons onto a piece of fabric or felt. Cut out other felt pieces with a slit large enough to accommodate the button. The toddler attaches the felt shapes with the buttoning action, practicing fine motor control and creating a design or picture.
Toddlers enjoy filling up containers and then dumping them out. This simple activity also helps the child improve fine motor control. Choose items that are either edible, such as dry cereal or pretzels, or large enough so she cannot choke on them, such as toy cars or large blocks. Encourage her to pick up one object at a time and place it inside a container. The grasping action calls on those small muscle movements that help improve coordination. When the container is full, have her dump them out and start over.
A turkey baster or a large medicine dropper helps toddlers learn to effectively use their hands and fingers. Fill a small container with water. Show your toddler how to squeeze the baster or medicine dropper before placing it into the container to suck up the water. For more entertainment, provide another container. Encourage your toddler to suck up the water from one container and transfer it to another container. Another variation is to place several small plastic toys in a tub of water. Give your toddler a small fish net, such as you would use in a home aquarium. The toddler scoops up all of the toys out of the water with the net.