Fine Motor Skills Activities

Shop for Fine Motor Skills Toys at Special Needs Resources

If you’re looking for the best fine motor skills toys, there’s no better place to shop than Special Needs Resources. Our range of products is second to none and designed to help people of all ages manage the symptoms associated with autism, ADHD, and other related conditions.

As an NDIS registered provider, we are approved to provide certain classes of support under participant plans, full details of which can be found on our website. 

What Are Fine Motor Skills Activities? 

Fine motor skills activities are engaging play items specifically designed to enhance and develop the small muscle movements in the hands and fingers. 

They often involve tasks such as: 

• Threading,
• Stacking,
• Buttoning,
• Or manipulating small objects. 

These activities are all aimed at improving precision, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination for people of all ages. These interactive products are particularly beneficial for those with learning difficulties, autism, and related disorders, as they support cognitive development, concentration, and the ability to carry out daily life tasks independently. 

Engaging with games, activities and puzzles is therapeutically useful and multi-faceted. They use skills in creativity, cognitive processing, sequencing and fine motor skills. It can also be a social activity for both children and adults, involving others in conversation, play and interaction.

Importance of Developing Fine Motor Skills

Young Children with Special Needs

Both types of motor skills (gross and fine) enable children to become more independent. Fine motor skills are especially crucial, however, because the ability to use the smaller muscles in the hands allows children to perform self-care tasks without needing assistance. 

This includes:

• brushing their teeth
• eating
• writing
• getting dressed
• tidying up their room autism and sensory overload

Aged Care 

Those living in aged care who need support, also need to perform daily tasks that require fine motor skills.Helping seniors maintain their fine motor skills helps them remain as independent and engaged as possible in social and recreational activities. 

When selecting a product, always remember to think about the person’s interests and age to ensure it is engaging and appropriate for them to use. 

Role of Activities in Fine Motor Skills Development

Games and activities offer a fantastic opportunity for children and adults with special needs to practise and refine their fine motor skills in social settings. 

When children interact with toys, they are encouraged to use their hands and fingers in various ways, promoting the development of coordination, strength, and precision. 

When interacting with products or toys, fine motor skills are employed in various ways. For example, screwing nuts and bolts, building towers with blocks, and threading beads all require dexterous use of the fingers and hands. Other products promote the development of coordination, strength and precision. 

Drawing, arts and crafts, and physical games such as Door Pong, Quoits and croquet can use skills whilst also being lots of fun and socially involving.

In all cases, fine motor activities provide an engaging way to develop cognitive and dexterity skills, all at the same time! 

What Types of Fine Motor Skills Activities Do We Sell? 

At Special Needs Resources, we have a wide range of activities for developing fine motor skills: 

• Putty 
• Stress Balls 
• Stuffed Toys
• Stacking Toys
• Building sets
• Arts and crafts 
• Puzzles 

With fast delivery across Australia, you can order and even bulk order (for schools and aged care facilities) fine motor skill activities straight to your doorstep. 

What are the Benefits of Developing Fine Motor Skills?

There are a number of benefits for developing fine motor skills: 

Develops Dexterity

Fine motor skills help individuals enhance their hand-eye coordination and control over small muscle movements like finger dexterity.

Encourages Concentration

The tasks involved require focus, which can improve a person’s attention span. This is particularly useful for those diagnosed with anxiety, autism or a sensory processing disorder, who may find certain environments overstimulating.

Therapeutic Uses

For people of all ages with disorders like autism or ADHD, these activities can serve as a therapeutic resource, providing a calming, engaging activity that aids sensory regulation.

Choosing the Right Fine Motor Skills Activities

When choosing the right activity for developing fine motor skills, select products that encourage the use of small muscle movements in the hands and fingers. 

Look for products that require pinching, grasping, threading, or stacking, such as building blocks, puzzles, arts and crafts materials, and lacing beads. These activities promote hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and precision. Consider the person’s interests and age to ensure the product is engaging and appropriate for them. 

If you have any questions, you can read our helpful blog or reach out by contacting us directly.