Fine Motor Engine Play for Kids who love Planes, Cars, and Trains

My son requested a Planes themed party.   This year we did a big party, so I wanted an open ended free play activity to start the party and fill in the time gaps. We ended up with a nice fine motor exercise.  Since this activity features real things from the hardware store, it naturally drew the children's interest and they enjoyed engineering some great works of art.

This activity was designed for first graders and kept out of reach of the toddler.  Please be aware that the small pieces present a choking hazard, and make a wise decision for your family.

Materials for Motor Themed Fine Motor Play

3/4 inch Bolts

3/4 inch Nuts

3/4 inch Washers

Red Yarn

Dark Yarn

Round Magnets

Peg board

The peg board was my sister's idea.  I always appreciate how she buys into my crazy ideas and helps me finish them.  I asked to have it cut into one foot squares at the store.  Everything else, except the yarn can be found in the hardware aisle.

I literally just put the materials on the table and let the kids go at it.  Some of them did pretend to wire an engine.

Others worked on filling as many holes as possible with bolts, or fastening boards together.

My own children played with these for a couple more weeks.  My daughter even refined her design because, her previous design was "not safe, because the wires were hanging down."  Yay for thinking like an engineer!

If you have a mechanically minded elementary student who can still use some fine motor practice, definitely head to your local hardware store and put one of these kits together.  

I would love to expand on this idea.  Can you think of anything else we could add?

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