Before children can write their names, form letters, or even hold a pencil with confidence, they need to develop fine motor skills—the small muscle movements in the hands and fingers that are essential for writing.
These early skills lay the groundwork for everything from drawing to buttoning a shirt and, yes, writing legibly and fluently.
Whether you’re a homeschooling parent or simply looking for fun and educational ways to support your child’s development at home, these 10 fine motor activities are playful, practical, and perfect for your children.
10 Fine Motor Activities to Support Early Writing
Before a child ever picks up a pencil to write their name, they need to build strength, control, and coordination in their little hands.
These skills—known as fine motor skills—are the building blocks for confident, comfortable writing.
As a parent, you can give your child a strong start by incorporating playful, hands-on activities into your everyday routine.
From threading beads to squeezing sponges, the best way to get those fingers working is through fun and engaging play.
In this post, we’re sharing 10 easy and effective fine motor activities that will help your child get writing-ready, all while having a great time.
1. Playdough Play
Squishing, rolling, pinching, and flattening playdough is more than just fun—it’s a powerful way to strengthen hand muscles.
Add letter stamps or letter cookie cutters for a literacy twist!
Tip: Encourage your child to roll snakes and form letters or simple shapes. Pinch ‘bony plates’ down the length to turn them into dinosaurs or dragons for added pincer grip strengthening.
2. Threading Beads
Threading beads onto string helps develop hand-eye coordination and the pincer grip needed for pencil control.
Start with larger beads and progress to smaller ones as your child becomes more confident.
Pipecleaners make for a great starter thread as they hold their rigid shape for children developing their coordination.
Extension: Thread alphabet beads to create simple words.
3. Scissor Skills
Cutting along lines, around shapes, or through playdough helps build control and coordination.
Use child-safe scissors and practice with a variety of paper textures.
Fun idea: Cut along “roads” drawn on paper to help with directionality or have your child cut their own spaghetti before eating it.
4. Sticker Activities
Peeling and placing stickers strengthens finger muscles and encourages fine precision.
Create sticker scenes or use dot stickers to form letters or trace shapes.
Remove the in between piece for children developing the skill to remove the stickers from the sheet.
Bonus: Stickers are great for car rides or quiet time activities.
5. Pegboards and Push Pins
Using small pegs to create pictures or patterns helps refine finger movement and hand strength.
Push pin activities (under supervision) are also excellent for tracing shapes and letters.
We have cut cotton tips in half to create our own peg boards in cardboard boxes.
Safety tip: Always supervise when using push pins or similar tools.
6. Tweezers and Tongs
Picking up small objects with tweezers or tongs builds hand strength and coordination.
Use these tools to sort pom poms, buttons, or mini erasers into containers.
Play-based idea: Pretend you’re feeding animals or having a colour-sorting race!
7. Drawing in Sand or Salt Trays
Let your child “write” and draw in a tray filled with salt, sand, or flour using their finger or a paintbrush.
This is a great sensory activity that supports letter formation without pressure.
Variation: Try forming letters with a stick outside in the dirt or sandpit.
8. Lacing Cards or Shapes
Lacing activities combine bilateral coordination (using both hands together) with fine motor precision.
Use store-bought lacing cards or make your own from cardboard.
Make it themed: Lace around pictures of animals, vehicles, or letters!
9. Clothespin Games
Pinching and opening clothespins builds strong fingers.
Create matching or counting games where children clip the correct answer to a card or board.
Educational use: Match letters, numbers, or rhyming words.
10. Squeeze Bottles and Eye Droppers
Water play with squeeze bottles or droppers encourages muscle control and coordination.
Let your child “paint” the pavement with coloured water or transfer liquid between containers.
Science twist: Add vinegar and baking soda for fizzy experiments!
Why Fine Motor Skills Matter for Writing
Fine motor activities are essential because they build the strength, coordination, and control children need to master handwriting.
Without these foundational skills, writing can feel frustrating or physically tiring.
When children engage in hands-on, purposeful play, they’re not just having fun—they’re preparing to write with ease and confidence.
Support Writing Development Through Play
At CVC at Home, we believe in learning through play.
Our printable packs and early literacy resources are designed to integrate fine motor practice with meaningful learning.
Whether your child is tracing letters, cutting out craft shapes, or sorting picture cards, they’re developing essential skills that support reading and writing success.
✨ Explore our early writing printables and activities here.
10 Fine Motor Activities to Support Early Writing
Supporting your child’s writing journey doesn’t have to be serious or structured.
With simple, play-based activities like these, your little one will build fine motor strength naturally—while having fun and gaining confidence every step of the way.
Remember: Every squeeze, snip, and sticker placed is a step toward writing success!
