Fine motor skills serve an important role in almost every aspect of everyday life, from writing to eating, brushing your teeth to getting dressed. Both children and adults with autism and / or ADHD commonly experience difficulties with fine and gross motor skills. If you’ve been looking to improve your balance, coordination or dexterity, you may wonder what toys help with fine motor skills?

Sister Sensory has motor skill toys for all age groups from toddlers to teens to adults. Our products can be used in schools and learning centres or in a more relaxed environment like your home.

Keen to find out more about our sensory solutions? Here is Sister Sensory’s guide to what toys help with fine motor skills.

Why are fine motor skills important?

From simple actions like holding a toothbrush to more complex endeavours like playing a musical instrument, there are countless activities that involve fine motor skills. Some everyday examples of fine motor skills include writing or drawing with a pen or a pencil, using scissors, typing, folding laundry, tying your shoelaces and eating with cutlery.

While each child is different, most children will reach fine motor skills milestones at roughly the same age: grasping something with both hands at three months, stacking three small blocks at 1-2 years, turning the pages of a book at 2-3 years. Hundreds of conditions, including autism, ADHD and developmental coordination disorder, can affect the progress of these motor skills.

Fine motor skills are important for self-care and living an independent life, as well as for enjoying certain hobbies and leisure activities. They’re also essential for work and study, whether typing on a computer or operating power tools.

Fortunately people of all ages can improve their fine motor skills, with help from an occupational therapist if necessary. The different tools, techniques and strategies involved in improving fine motor skills can include the use of fidgets and sensory toys. So what toys help with fine motor skills?

Toys that help with fine motor skills

When it comes to what toys help with fine motor skills, the list is a long one with plenty of options. From objects that you count to ones that you squeeze and squish, there’s something to suit all tastes and temperaments. Some of the most popular toys for improving fine motor control include:

Skin picking pads

Sister Sensory’s picky pads are designed to help children and adults break harmful habits by providing an alternative to skin, nail and hair picking. Premium silicone rubber material mimics the texture of the skin and the super-light and compact design means you can take it anywhere, anytime.

Hand grips

You have many options to choose from when you want to improve hand strength, dexterity and function. A Sister Sensory adjustable hand grip increases grip and forearm strength. Our two-finger pencil grips encourage children’s fingers to remain in the right position when writing or drawing, while our crossover grips were designed by doctors to stop their fingers from crossing over.

Dough and putty

Playing with sensory putty, dough and slime draws on every muscle in a child’s fingers and hands to improve hand-eye coordination and build up fine motor skills.

Sister Sensory introduced the world to rehabilitation putty, a new product designed to exercise and strengthen hand muscles. This putty comes in four conveniently coded colours for soft, extra soft, medium and firm. We also have fun fluoro dough sets.

Loopeez fidgets

Fidget toys and puzzles help improve a child’s dexterity and keep their hands and fingers nimble. Colourful, curved, silent and fun, Loopeez fidgets are designed to fit into one hand or two. Loopeez Jnr is a smaller size for smaller, often younger hands.

Rubik’s Cubes

As well as being an impressive trick to show off, solving a Rubik’s Cube improves fine motor skills along with other vital functions like memory. Sister Sensory lets you take your pick from several variations of this timeless game including a Rubik’s Speed Cube or Rubik’s Pyramid.

Motor skill toys and sensory solutions at Sister Sensory

If you’re looking for what toys help with fine motor skills, you’ll find your answer right here at Sister Sensory, along with plenty of options. Our fine motor skills toys are designed for use at home or in educational settings, and include everything from hand grips to games, exercise books to interactive activities.

Australia’s ultimate toy destination for all ages and needs, Sister Sensory supports all people with neurodiverse conditions as well as parents, carers, therapists, healthcare professionals and more. Our huge range of sensory solutions including motor skill toys stimulate critical senses and help development important sensory motor skills.

To find out more about what toys help with fine motor skills, call 0401 689 313, e-mail info@sistersensory.com.au or visit Factory 4/4 Brooke Ct, Melton, VIC, 3337.