Fine MotorToddlersKindergartnersPreschoolers38 Comments
Do you need a minute? Discover my go-to fine motor activity that to keep preschoolers busy with rubber bands!
I absolutely love activities that easily keep kids busy!
I can just set them up and they can keep at them for as long as they’d like. It allows me the freedom to work around them in peace.
Rubber Band Activity to Keep Preschoolers Busy When You Need It
It was time to make dinner and the kids were running around like mad. Which is a regular occurrence in this house, don’t get me wrong.
It was just getting wild and I knew that I had to intervene with something else for them to do. Which is where quick busy activities come in handy.
This rubber band busy activity happens to be great for fine motor skills, too.
To Make Your Own DIY Fine Motor Rubber Band Activity for Preschoolers, You’ll Need:
- tons of rubber bands
- a can of food, sturdy water bottle, shampoo bottle, etc.
See? Super simple!
My one suggestion is to find a place or method to organize your rubber bands.
I finally bought a rubber band ball not too long ago because my kids have been stealing my rubber bands constantly and I never get them back.
Here’s what you do: have the kids put the rubber bands on the can.
That’s it!
What else can you do with rubber bands for kids?
Check out our rubber bands passing activity, too!
At first, I thought it would be fun to make it a contest.
Who can get the most rubber bands around the can before supper time?
And Henry took right to that, but I realized soon that George was going to get really upset if he didn’t win. He’s been very sensitive lately.
So I quickly switched the goal of the rubber band activity.
Let’s see how many rubber bands YOU can get on YOUR can before supper time.
And then I left them to it.
Henry was still sure he was going to have the most. But George kept at it.
I made it a point to tell them that we were going to stop the activity before dinner in time to take off the rubber bands and count them.
Henry, my kindergartener, was very particular in how he placed them on his can so he could count them well.
His were all neat and very straight and lined up.
He even took time mid-activity to push the rubber bands all closer together to get more to fit on it.
George, my preschooler, wasn’t as particular with his rubber bands, just persistent and kept at the rubber bands.
When it was time to stop, Henry took off each one of his to count. He had 33 rubber bands.
I had George just remove his rubber bands and I’d help him count them out. He ended up with, not only more than Henry but almost double, with 64 rubber bands on his.
I made sure to point out the “pros” of both their wrapping because Henry still saw it as a contest and I could see George starting to get excited about him “winning.”
Although George put on more rubber bands, Henry took his time with the activity and did a really neat job at his.
Both winners.
We have lots more ideas for fine motor activities!
Bounceback Parenting has a wonderful list of activities when you need one quick.
What are your favorite busy-play activities for kids? Share your ideas with us!
WANT TO SAVE THIS ACTIVITY?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox so you can access this activity later! Plus, you'll get simple activities from us every week!
Rajarajeswari says
I was overwhelmed by the simplicity of the activities and it was a wonderful feeling to watch the little ones enjoy the fun filled activities. Thanks a lot for the awesome activities….
Veronika Yurina says
You’re genius – it can’t be simpler than that! My 6 y.o. loved this activity. Thanks for sharing your idea!
Lauren says
What a simple and terrific task to help build concentration, hand strength, and fine motor skills. Thanks!
Kelly Seiler Vocke says
Where do you buy this size of rubber bands? Do you have a store recommendation or Amazon link?
alexia says
What a wonderful activity. I just gave it to my 2,8 year daughter and she absolutely enjoying the activity.
Nashanda says
I enjoy your blog. So ‘enjoying mommyhood!’. We don’t have much of this mommy enthusiasm in Jamaica and reading your blog puts smiles on my face. Your blog page is always open on my computer. :)
Jennifer S. says
I love this and so will my two little guys. Thanks.
Laura says
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Melane says
this is sooo smart!! Thanks for sharing this Jamie. :)
Mary says
LOL @ the pictures!
Felt as if these were MY boys, the frustratingly neat one and the pfffffffft-just-get-them-on-there one!
So cool, thanks!
will be exploring your other activities too… will be needing them now that my boys are entering their teens (they are 3 and 4)
Jamie Reimer says
Aw Mary! Thank you re: the pictures! I’m so glad you can see your boys in them. (And your captions are awesome!) — thanks!
h. says
What a great idea. Going to check out your quick busy activities. We have lots of these before dinner moments…
Jamie Reimer says
Thanks! This one was a life saver for us! The kids had so much fun!