The holidays are fast approaching, and birthdays happen year-round! Our staff has put together a list of some of their favorite things to help you navigate gift-giving this season. Whether you’re shopping for kids, siblings, or the amazing caregivers in your life, we’ve got ideas to make your gifts meaningful, fun, and purposeful!
Fine Motor Coordination Ideas for Early Childhood
- Playdough: Squish, roll, and shape your way to better fine motor coordination! Playdough helps strengthen hand muscles and encourages creativity with endless possibilities.
- Large Tongs (to grasp small objects): These tools turn everyday tasks into skill-building fun! Great for sorting, picking up small items, or adding a playful twist to snack time, they help improve grip strength and precision.
- Do-a-Dot Markers: Mess-free creativity! These markers are easy to grip, helping kids develop hand control while making colorful art with simple dot patterns or creative designs.
- Washable Paints: Artistic fun that’s parent-approved! Washable paints let kids experiment with brush strokes and finger painting, all while strengthening their hand-eye coordination.
- Avalanche Fruit Salad (Learning Resources): A game that’s as fun as it is skill-building! Kids use tweezers to pick up colorful fruit pieces, improving their fine motor skills and hand strength in a playful way.
- Poke-A-Dot Books (Melissa & Doug): These interactive books are perfect for little hands! Press the dots on every page to hear a satisfying “pop,” helping with finger dexterity and focus while making storytime extra engaging.
Fine Motor Coordination Ideas for Kindergarten & Older Kids
- Clay: Hands-on fun that molds creativity and strengthens fine motor skills.
- Suspend Family Game (by Melissa & Doug): A balancing act that challenges focus and coordination.
- Squigz: Build, snap, and pop your way to hours of creative play.
- Building Toys: From Legos to Lincoln Logs, construction fun that sharpens hand skills.
- Spirograph Sets: Intricate designs that improve hand control and coordination.
Hand-Eye Coordination Gift Ideas for Early Childhood
- Magna Doodle: Encourages pre-writing skills with easy drawing.
- Acorn Soup: A game that fosters creativity and hand movements.
- Bean Bags to Toss: Strengthens coordination and gross motor skills.
- Sidewalk Chalk: Encourages big movements and outdoor creativity.
- Bristle Blocks: Easy to grasp and fosters creativity.
Hand-Eye Coordination Gift Ideas for Kindergarten & Older
- Legos and Building Sets: Encourages creativity and builds fine motor skills.
- Velcro Mitt Ball Catching Game: Improves coordination and teamwork through active play.
- Wiki Sticks: Promotes tactile creativity and fine motor control.
- Paint by Numbers: Combines artistry with steady hand-eye coordination.
- ABC Draw with Me: Strengthens handwriting and early literacy skills.
- Wooden Geo Board: Encourages shape-making and spatial awareness.
More Gift Ideas
- No Stress Chess – A fun and educational game that helps kids build planning, problem-solving, and visual skills while learning to play chess with beginner-friendly visual aids. Perfect for family playtime and easy to find at Walmart, Target, Amazon, and more!
- “I Can Do That” games: A great way to combine fun with meaningful growth, helping children build language skills, enhance visual-motor integration, and practice motor planning in an engaging and exciting way.