Tiny Hands, Big Skills:

The Best Fine Motor Games for Kids

(and where to buy them locally)

As an educator, the owner of a tutoring company, and a mom of a 5-year-old, I’m always looking for ways to make learning fun—especially when it comes to fine motor skills. Developing strong fine motor skills is critical for kids because it helps with handwriting, buttoning clothes, using scissors, and even tying shoelaces. But building these skills doesn’t have to feel like work—play is one of the best ways to strengthen those tiny muscles!

Recently, my daughter and I stumbled upon Hedgehog Prickly Stix (a spin on pickup sticks-find it at The Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley), and it was fabulous! Watching her use her little fingers to grasp and place the colorful pegs made me realize how important it is to have engaging, hands-on activities that support fine motor development. So, I went on a mission to find the best games an

d activities that parents can buy locally to help their kids build strong hands and nimble fingers—while having a blast as a family!

Here’s a list of 10 fantastic fine motor skill games and activities, why they’re great, and where you can find them right here in Northampton, MA (because hey! We support and shop local!).

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

• Cost: ~$15-20
• Why it’s good: Kids use chunky peg-shaped “quills” to develop pincer grasp, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store (Northampton, MA)

This game is fun, quirky, and helps kids get those fine motor skills moving and grooving.

Suspend by Melissa & Doug

• Cost: ~$17-20
• Why it’s good: This balancing game helps develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor precision, and patience as kids carefully place rods on the structure without making it topple. The game requires a steady hand and promotes focus and dexterity.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Suspend

This is another fun and engaging way to help kids strengthen their fine motor skills while problem-solving and strategizing.

Ramen Noodle Knockout – Fine Motor Game

• Cost: ~$20-25
• Why it’s good: This chopstick challenge game strengthens fine motor skills by requiring kids to use their fingers with precision to grab noodles, toppings, and ingredients. It helps develop dexterity, coordination, and grip strength while adding a playful competitive element.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Ramen Noodle Knockout

This is a fantastic way to make fine motor skill development fun while giving kids a chance to practice using chopsticks in a hands-on way.

Jenga

• Cost: ~$15-20
• Why it’s good: This classic game requires precision, hand stability, and fine motor control as players carefully remove and stack wooden blocks. It enhances finger strength, coordination, and patience, making it a fantastic tool for motor skill development.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Jenga

Jenga is not only a fun and suspenseful game but also a great way for kids to practice controlled movements and grip strength.

Buildzi

• Cost: ~$30-35
• Why it’s good: A fast-paced building block game that challenges kids to stack, balance, and problem-solveunder time constraints. It helps develop fine motor control, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination, making it both a fun and educational activity.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Buildzi

This high-energy stacking game is great for developing precision and dexterity while keeping kids engaged with its interactive, hands-on gameplay.

Retro Magna Doodle

• Cost: ~$20-25
• Why it’s good: This classic magnetic drawing board encourages hand strength, wrist movement, and pencil grip development, making it a great pre-writing tool for young children. The magnetic pen and stamps require controlled hand movements, reinforcing fine motor skills in a mess-free and engaging way.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Retro Magna Doodle

This is a fantastic screen-free (yasss!) activity that helps kids develop hand control and creativity, all while strengthening those tiny hand muscles.

Tangle Therapy – Relax

• Cost: ~$12-15
• Why it’s good: This fidget tool is perfect for building fine motor strength and dexterity as kids twist, bend, and manipulate its soft, textured links. It’s great for relieving stress while also improving grip strength, coordination, and finger mobility.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Tangle Therapy

This is a fantastic sensory tool that doubles as a fine motor workout, making it a great choice for kids who love to fidget while strengthening their hands.

Lacing Beads in a Box

• Cost: ~$20-25
• Why it’s good: This classic fine motor skill activity encourages children to string colorful wooden beads onto laces, which helps develop hand-eye coordination, pincer grasp, and dexterity. It also promotes early math skills like patterning and sequencing.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Lacing Beads in a Box

This fun and interactive activity is a great way to strengthen finger muscles while fostering creativity and concentration in young learners.

Poke-A-Dot! 10 Little Monkeys

• Cost: ~$15-20
• Why it’s good: This interactive book encourages finger strength, coordination, and fine motor control as kids press and pop the buttons while reading along. The sensory feedback from the popping action helps with hand-eye coordination and engages children in a fun and tactile learning experience.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Poke-A-Dot! 10 Little Monkeys

This engaging and educational book makes fine motor skill development exciting while fostering a love of reading and interactive play. It’s a win-win.

Magic Brix Building Set

• Cost: ~$30-35
• Why it’s good: This soft, interlocking building set helps develop hand strength, grip control, and spatial awareness as kids push, pull, and connect pieces to build creative structures. The textured surface adds an extra sensory experience, making it great for fine motor skill development and tactile exploration.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Magic Brix Building Set

This versatile building toy is a fun and engaging way to boost dexterity, coordination, and creativity while letting kids explore hands-on construction.

Klutz Jr. My Simple Sewing

• Cost: ~$20-25
• Why it’s good: This beginner sewing kit is perfect for strengthening hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and fine motor skills as kids learn basic stitching techniques. The set includes pre-cut felt shapes, a plastic needle, and easy-to-follow instructions, making it a fun and frustration-free way to build confidence in crafting.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Klutz Jr. My Simple Sewing

This hands-on activity is great for building patience, precision, and creativity while giving kids a practical life skill in a fun and engaging way (I feel like my daughter and I could sew side-by-side!).

Mini Lite-Brite

• Cost: ~$12-15
• Why it’s good: This portable, creative toy strengthens finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination as kids place tiny colored pegs into the board to create glowing designs. The small-scale movements required help develop fine motor control and grip strength, making it an excellent pre-writing activity.
• Where to find: A2Z Science & Learning Store – Mini Lite-Brite

This game is a classic. It is a great activity that is both retro and helpful for building those tiny muscles!

These games and activities are fun, engaging, and designed to strengthen fine motor skills in young children, making them perfect for playtime at home or on the go!

What are your go-to activities and games for fine motor skill development?