We have the perfect follow-up for your leftover toothpicks from last weeks Mini Fruit Kabob fine motor activity. It’s simple to set up and extremely satisfying for your child!

Toothpicks in a Shaker

All you’ll need for this activity is some sort of sugar or salt shaker that has holes big enough to get a toothpick through.

Set up the activity by having a small cup or tray with a stack of toothpicks. Set the empty shaker next to the stash of toothpicks and speak to your child about how the shaker is empty. Reinforce the concept of empty and full!

Next, invite your child to take one toothpick and drop it through the hole in the top of the shaker. Continue one by one until all of the toothpicks are now in the shaker.

Empty it out and start again. Your child is building fine motor skills by having to manipulate the toothpick into just the right spot to drop it into the shaker. These skills will serve them later on when using a pencil to begin writing!

Leave this activity out in your child’s play area to use whenever they would like. It’s a calming activity that builds concentration and focus alongside fine motor control.

Recommended for you: