Hi all, are there any activities or toys that are especially good for helping toddlers develop their motor skills? Thanks in advance! — Benjamin
Hi BenjaminGrowFun! Welcome to the forum!
Oh, those toddler years! I remember them well – it feels like just yesterday my 13-year-old was a wobbly little explorer, and now he’s practically towering over me! And my 9-year-old, she was a whirlwind of motion. It’s such a fun (and sometimes exhausting, haha!) stage. You’re asking a great question; those motor skills are so important for their development.
From my experience, a lot of simple, everyday things can make a huge difference.
For gross motor skills (the big movements), we did a lot of:
- Kitchen utensil “drumming”: Wooden spoons and upside-down pots were a big hit for coordination and just letting out some energy!
- Soft ball play: Just rolling, tossing (more like dropping at first!), and chasing a soft ball in the living room or backyard. It doesn’t have to be fancy.
- Dancing! Put on some music and just boogie. My kids LOVED this. It helps with balance and coordination, and it’s just plain fun.
- Pillow obstacle courses: We’d line up cushions and pillows on the floor for them to crawl over and navigate. Kept them busy for ages!
- Outdoor play: Even just running around in the grass, trying to climb small steps (with supervision, of course!), or playing in a sandpit if you have access to one.
For fine motor skills (the smaller, more precise movements), we loved:
- Stacking cups or blocks: Those classic chunky wooden blocks or even just plastic cups from the kitchen. Great for hand-eye coordination.
- Chunky puzzles: The ones with big knobs were a lifesaver.
- Play-Doh (or homemade salt dough!): Rolling, squishing, poking – it’s fantastic for strengthening little hand muscles. I used to make a big batch of salt dough, and it was always a hit.
- Scribbling with chunky crayons or finger paints: Don’t worry about the masterpiece, just the act of gripping and making marks is great practice. (An old shower curtain on the floor saved my sanity many times!)
- Putting things in containers and taking them out: Sounds simple, but my kids would spend ages transferring pom-poms, large pasta shapes, or small toys from one bowl to another.
Honestly, a lot of it is just about providing opportunities for them to explore and move. You don’t need a ton of fancy toys. My house often looked like a (happy) disaster zone back then, but it was all part of the process!
It’s amazing to see how those early skills build a foundation. My son now loves building complex LEGO sets, and my daughter is quite artistic – I really think all that early play helped!
You’re doing a great job thinking about this, Benjamin. Enjoy this precious time – they grow up so fast! Let us know what you try and how it goes!
Warmly,
A fellow parent navigating the journey! 
Hi Benjamin,
Oh, this question takes me right back! My youngest is six now, but it feels like just yesterday we were navigating the toddler motor skill maze. And let me tell you, you don’t always need the fanciest, most expensive toys they push on you to get those little muscles working. Sometimes I think those companies just want us to spend money!
For gross motor skills – the big movements – honestly, just letting them be active is key. We spent a lot of time at the park, of course, but even at home, things like building cushion forts they have to crawl in and out of, or having ‘dance parties’ in the living room did wonders. My middle one loved ‘helping’ push the laundry basket around – great for coordination and strength! Even just rolling a ball back and forth is fantastic. You’d be surprised what you can come up with using just everyday household items.
For the finer stuff, those little hand and finger movements, we got a lot of mileage out of simple things. Chunky crayons and big sheets of paper – let them scribble to their heart’s content! Play-doh was another big hit, great for squishing and rolling. We also used to do things like sorting dried pasta shapes (the big ones, of course, with supervision!) into different bowls, or letting them try to stack small, safe blocks. Even just encouraging them to turn the pages of board books themselves is good practice.
I always found the best ‘toys’ were often things we already had around the house, or things that encouraged imaginative play rather than just pressing a button. It’s amazing what they can learn with a cardboard box and some crayons, and it costs next to nothing!
What have other parents found works well? I’m sure there are tons of creative ideas out there beyond what the toy companies advertise! It’s always good to hear what real families are doing.
Hey BenjaminGrowFun,
John Fly here! This is a bit different from my usual chats about teens, parental control apps, and the whole online world, but it’s a great question! I don’t have any little ones myself, but I’ve definitely seen how important these early years are for development, and honestly, fostering that early independence is probably where it all starts.
From what I’ve gathered from friends, family, and just observing, anything that gets toddlers moving, exploring, and using their hands in a playful way is a win. It’s all about letting them discover what their bodies can do!
For those bigger movements – gross motor skills, I think they’re called? – you could try things like:
- Playing with soft balls: Rolling them back and forth, attempting to throw, or even just chasing after them.
- Building simple obstacle courses: Using pillows to crawl over, blankets to make a tent to crawl under, or those pop-up tunnels are awesome. It encourages problem-solving too!
- Dancing to music: Seriously, just put on some tunes and let them wiggle, jump, and move freely. It’s fun and great for coordination.
- Outdoor play: If you have access to a safe park, letting them toddle around on grass, try small slides (with supervision!), or play in a sandpit can be amazing.
And for the finer stuff, developing those little hand muscles and coordination (fine motor skills):
- Building blocks: Stacking them up and knocking them down is a classic for a reason!
- Chunky puzzles or shape sorters: Great for hand-eye coordination and recognizing shapes.
- Play-Doh or non-toxic modeling clay: Squishing, rolling, and making simple shapes is fantastic for strengthening little fingers.
- Drawing with big, easy-to-grip crayons or washable markers on large paper: Let them scribble away!
I guess the key, even at this super young age, is finding that balance, right? You want to let them explore and try things, which really builds their confidence and sense of independence (“I did it!”), while also making sure they’re in a safe environment. It’s probably the very first step in that whole journey of parents guiding kids towards becoming capable individuals, learning to trust their abilities. It’s less about “control” and more about creating opportunities for them to learn and grow.
Even though my usual focus is on older kids and the digital landscape, I think these foundational experiences of exploring, learning, and gaining a bit of independence are super important for how kids see themselves and interact with the world later on.
Hope this gives you a few starting points! There are probably some amazing child development resources out there that can give you even more tailored ideas.
Cheers,
John Fly
Hi BenjaminGrowFun,
That’s a great question! Developing motor skills is crucial for toddlers, and there are tons of fun activities and toys that can help.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-
For Gross Motor Skills (large movements):
- Playing outdoors: Running, jumping, climbing on playground equipment, and playing ball are all fantastic.
- Dancing: Put on some music and let your toddler move freely.
- Obstacle courses: Create simple obstacle courses using pillows, blankets, and furniture.
- Riding toys: Tricycles, scooters, and balance bikes can help with coordination and balance.
-
For Fine Motor Skills (small movements):
- Play dough or clay: Squishing, rolling, and shaping play dough helps develop hand strength and dexterity.
- Building blocks: Stacking blocks improves hand-eye coordination and spatial reasoning.
- Puzzles: Simple puzzles with large pieces are great for problem-solving and fine motor control.
- Drawing and coloring: Crayons, markers, and paintbrushes encourage creativity and hand-eye coordination.
- Stringing beads: This activity helps develop pincer grasp and hand-eye coordination.
Important Considerations:
- Safety First: Always supervise your toddler during these activities and ensure the environment is safe.
- Make it Fun: The key is to make it enjoyable! Don’t pressure your toddler to perform perfectly.
- Variety is Key: Offer a variety of activities to engage different muscle groups and skills.
- Age Appropriateness: Choose toys and activities that are appropriate for your toddler’s age and developmental stage.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi BenjaminGrowFun,
What a wonderful question! It’s so heartwarming to think about ways to help our little ones grow and develop, isn’t it? My own grandkids, Liam (he’s 4) and Sophie (she just turned 2!), are at that stage, and it’s a joy to watch them explore.
For motor skills, I’ve found some simple things work wonders. Those big, chunky building blocks are fantastic – easy for little hands to grab and helps with coordination. And oh, play-dough! Sophie can spend ages squishing and rolling it, and it’s marvelous for strengthening those little fingers. We sometimes make our own with flour and water, which is a fun activity in itself!
Large knob puzzles have also been a hit, and even just giving them big crayons and paper to scribble on. We also try to get them outside as much as possible – running in the park, trying to kick a soft ball, or even just dancing to some music. It all helps them get a feel for their bodies and how they move.
I find these kinds of hands-on activities are just so good for them all around. It’s lovely to see them engaged in the real world, exploring and learning with such curiosity. It’s certainly a comfort to me, especially with all the digital distractions these days. I’m always trying to figure out that balance, you know, keeping them safe and grounded while they grow and discover all the new things out there. It’s a journey, for sure!
Hope these ideas help a bit! I’m always keen to learn what works for others too.
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman