A fine motor skill toy is something that helps children develop their hand-eye coordination skills. These toys are great for toddlers because they stimulate their brains and help them practice fine motor skills.
Have you ever noticed your little one picking up blueberries, turning doorknobs, or building block towers with more ease as they grow? That’s because they’re developing their fine motor skills! These skills involve the use of small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists, and they play a crucial role in your child’s development.
When your baby was younger, they were learning basic fine motor skills like grasping and reaching, but now that they’re a toddler, they want to take things a notch higher! By using toys and activities that require hand-eye coordination, like puzzles, drawing, or even stringing beads, you can help your little one build these skills and prepare them for tasks they’ll need as they grow, like writing, drawing, and buttoning their own clothes.
So next time you see your toddler mastering their fine motor skills, give them a high-five and keep encouraging them with fun and engaging activities! Who knows, maybe one day they’ll be the next great artist or surgeon, and you can say you helped build the foundation for their success!
In this Guide
Fine Motor Skills in the Toddler Years
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, between the ages of one and two years, your little one’s fine motor skills will start to improve. Here’s what to expect during this exciting time:
12 to 18 months
Between 12 to 18 months, your toddler will:
- Master the pincer grasp
- Scribble and paint – you might just have a mini Picasso on your hands!
- Puts round pegs into matching holes
- Turn knobs and pages
- Pick up objects in motion (balls, etc.)
- Cover and uncover containers or boxes
- Build a tower from 2 to 4 blocks
18 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS
Between 18 months to 2 years, your toddler will:
- Stack 5 to 6 blocks
- Put large square pegs into matching holes
- Able to disassemble and reassemble toys.
- Makes clay sculptures
- Fold paper (when shown how)
2+ years
- Manipulates small items with ease.
- Can unzip a huge zipper Builds a six-block or taller skyscraper
- Removes shoes
- Turn doorknobs, remove a jar lid, and so on, coordinate wrist and hand movements.
- Begins to hold a crayon or pencil appropriately.
These 11 toys are so entertaining that your child won’t even notice they’re developing important developmental skills.
11 Best Motor Skills Toys For 12-18 Months Toddlers
1. Learning Resources Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Get ready to have a “quilltastic” time with Spike the Hedgehog! This spiky little friend is not just a cute toy, but also a great way to help your child’s fine motor skills develop. With a set of peg-shaped “quills,” your child will enjoy learning about colors, counting, and sorting while practicing inserting the quills into the hedgehog’s back. And when playtime is over, the quills nestle into the hedgehog’s body, making storage a breeze.
2. Hape Build Up & Away Blocks
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
No playroom is complete without a set of blocks, and Hape Build Up & Away Blocks have got you covered! This vibrant 50-piece set is perfect for open-ended play and fine motor skill development. As your child grows, they’ll discover new ways to use the blocks, from stacking and constructing to imaginative play. And with the included canvas bag, cleaning up and storing the blocks is a breeze.
3. Skoolzy Rainbow Counting Bears with Matching Sorting Cups and Dice
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Looking for a toy that is both fun and educational? Skoolzy Rainbow Counting Bears with Matching Sorting Cups and Dice are just what you need! These little bears might seem simple, but they provide endless opportunities for your child to practice sorting and manipulating different colors and sizes. This is a great way to improve their fine motor skills. However, keep in mind that if your child still puts things in his/her mouth, the bears may be a choking hazard. So, keep an eye on them during playtime. For older children, it’s an awesome way to learn while having fun!
4. TouchThinkLearn: ABC
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Who said a book can’t be fun? TouchThinkLearn Board Book not only teaches your toddler their ABCs, but it also helps develop fine motor skills. It features raised pieces nested in mirroring cutouts, which are perfect for tactile stimulation. Plus, the thick pages mean there won’t be any rips or tears. Turning pages is an important milestone for younger toddlers to achieve, and this book will help them get there in a fun and engaging way.
5. Melissa & Doug Wooden Latches Board
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Some toys are just so good, your toddler will keep playing with them for months or even years. That’s exactly what this latch board is. Melissa and Doug Play Board has multiple latches and hooks that will keep your toddler’s attention and help develop their fine motor skills. Every window has a hidden surprise behind it. On the same note, the latches open and close differently. Your child will love figuring out how to open and close each one!
6. Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Stacking toys are always a hit, and this one is no exception. But the SpinAgain is not your average stacking toy. The kiddos will love watching each bright disc spin down the threaded corkscrew pole over and over again. It’s a great way to develop and refine fine motor skills, and it’s equally interesting for younger and older toddlers. Plus, it’s available on Amazon, so you can have it delivered right to your doorstep!
7. Hape Creative Peg Puzzle
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
If you’re looking for a puzzle that’s not your average jigsaw, look no further! The Hape Creative Peg Puzzle has a cool twist that will keep your little ones entertained while developing their fine motor skills. The puzzle bases interlock, and the forms are twisted onto the grooved pegged posts, providing a unique challenge that your child won’t find elsewhere. The puzzle’s multiple difficulty levels make it a great choice for kids of all ages.
8. Learning Resources Helping Hands Fine Motor Tool Set
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Water beads, kinetic sand, and snow are some of the many things that can be used with the Learning Resource Helping Hands to keep your child engaged in fine motor play for hours. These tools are perfect for helping your child develop the muscles in their hands and fingers. And don’t worry about them realizing that they’re learning; they’ll be having too much fun to notice.
9. Playskool Classic Dressy Kids Plush
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Not only is this plush toy cute and cuddly, but it’s also a great way for your child to practice essential life skills. Learning to tie, zip, button, and buckle are essential fine motor skills, and what better way to learn than through play? With the Playskool Classic Dressy Kids Plush, your child can practice and perfect these skills, all while having fun. Plus, the best part is that it’s machine washable, making it easy to clean and ready for another round of play.
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