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Fine motor threading activity using straws and cardboard tubes

May 4, 2018 by Kate 45 Comments

You know me, I thought I’d share with you a fun and educational activity that is also great for recycling some of the everyday things you might already have in your home. This is a simple, fine motor threading activity using straws and cardboard tubes. 

Fine motor threading activity using straws and cardboard tubes.

Fine motor threading activity using straws and cardboard tubes

Ever since learning about the dangers of plastics to our Earth, I’ve had this terrible guilt over a packet of straws sitting in my pantry cupboard.  Ugh, it’s horrible.

I actually don’t even remember buying them, so I have changed my thinking and have decided to repurpose them as loose parts suitable for educational activities. They will not have one use, but many. 

Brilliant. Check this out…

materialsTo do this activity you will need – 

  • Cardboard tubes
  • Straws (or similar)
  • Hole puncher
  • Scissors

Cut each of the cardboard tubes in half or abut 10 – 15cm long. 

cardboard tube hole for fine motor

Depending on the capability of your child, ask them to punch holes into the cardboard tubes using the hole puncher.

Using a hole puncher is really great for fine motor development. It strengthens the smaller muscles in the fingers and palm of the hand. Important for when they are learning to write with a pencil or draw. 

kids have fun threading straws and cardboard tubes for fine motor

The activity and it’s purpose is simple, much like my previous post. 

Present them with the straws and ask them to thread them through the holes in the cardboard tube. In one side and out the other.

They begin to look a little like crazy and colourful spiders after awhile. 

straws and cardboard tube for fine motor development and threading practise

Boo (aged 3 years) discovered that she needed to bend the end of the straw to stop them from slipping out. The was a great discovery and only learnt through her own experience of doing this activity. 

This activity does open itself up to challenging your child and their problem solving skills. 

I’ve got my eye on this similar idea from Babble Dabble Do. 

using fine motor skills for threading straws in cardboard tube

This is a super simple activity that you might like to set up for your child. It reuses some of the things you already have in your home and turns them into wonderful, handmade teaching tools (or toys). 

Is this an activity your child would enjoy? 

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, busy bag, Fine Motor, Indoor play Tagged With: cardboard, fine motor, preschooler, recycling, straws, threading, toddler

Comments

  1. ruby says

    July 9, 2018 at 10:22 pm

    It is a good idea for my toddlers. Simply and fun!

    I will try it.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      July 10, 2018 at 2:22 pm

      Wonderful Ruby!!! I hope you and your toddler has fun with it. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Mariam says

    December 10, 2018 at 2:55 am

    I will definitely try with my grandsons.

    Reply
  3. Michelle Upham says

    February 26, 2019 at 10:59 am

    Then your child could build a tower with several of them and put a marble down the the top. Similar to Kerplunk.

    Reply
  4. Laly Palomino says

    May 24, 2019 at 12:31 am

    Hi! Cómo puedo hacer los huequitos al tuvo? No consigo ese aparato : hole puncher!!!😌

    Reply
  5. anita says

    July 2, 2019 at 12:13 am

    This is such a wonderful activity for the children I work with in Early Headstart. I am a home visitor. Thank You so much for this activity!
    Anita

    Reply
    • Kate says

      July 2, 2019 at 2:21 pm

      You’re so very welcome Anita!!

      Reply
  6. Elaine Honigmann says

    November 5, 2019 at 5:15 am

    you could add some card or funky foam shapes with little holes too, or chunky beads with big holes

    Reply
  7. Lorri Case says

    April 12, 2020 at 1:31 am

    What fun and simple ideas!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      April 13, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      Exactly how I love them Lorri. Haha
      Thank you.

      Reply
  8. Regina Santos says

    September 8, 2020 at 4:01 am

    It’s a good and simple ideia!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      October 1, 2020 at 3:53 pm

      Absolutely!! 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

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Welcome
Hello and welcome!
My name is Kate and I am a mum to two little girls, Possum and Boo. We have lots of fun together learning with play at home and are pleased to share some of what we do with you.
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