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OT-Recommended Products for Developing Pincer Grip
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items A list of tried and true toy recommendations that this paediatric Occupational Therapist uses in practice to support the development of pincer grip. I've tried to include various resources for different age ranges and different interests. Those with ...
Sections
5
Construction and Craft
Regular Games
Household Items
Fine Motor-Specific Resources
Pegboards
Construction and Craft
These toys and resources incorporate use of pincer grasp skills through construction play and craft!
Beads are perfect for making friendship bracelets; pinching each bead between thumb and forefinger will strengthen pincer grasp and precision. This particular kit has a range of sizes and colours/shapes for some extra variety and to suit a range of i...
Friendship Bracelet Beads
Picking up and piecing together these construction discs requires the use of pincer grip, and also builds on skills such as bimanual coordination of both hands. I think these are great because there are endless possibilities as to what can be built w...
Construction Discs
These blocks are more typically seen in the classroom to support maths skills, BUT, regular building and construction play with them is a great way to work on pincer grasp too. These blocks require a decent level of strength to pull apart, so playing...
Linking Cube Blocks
You will find a large variety of nut/bolt construction toys out there. I'm a fan of this one in particular because you can simplify it for younger children and simple practice screwing onto one piece of wood, but also make more complex builds for old...
Nut & Bolt Construction Toys
A great pincer grasp challenge for older children, LaQ blocks require kids to snap together small pieces in order to create various models and designs.
LaQ Model Blocks (Older)
Regular Games
There are loads of regular games that you might already have at home, which as well as being common staples for playdates or family games nights, also provide an opportunity to practice pincer grip through play.
Picking up and placing the tokens in this game are a perfect way to practice using a pincer grasp. Whilst older kids will love playing with structured rules, younger ones can simply practice putting all the tokens in until the board is full. You can ...
Four-In-A-Row Connection Game
Another classic game but one that I think can be easily forgotten about. Playing in just the regular way incorporates the use of pincer grasp, but if your children get bored of that, a fun alternative game is to explore around the home and see what t...
Barrel of Monkeys
Household Items
Things from around your house that can also be used to practice pincer grip skills.
If you've got a money box or piggy bank with a slot at home, picking up coins and placing them inside is another task that incorporates use of pincer grip. Buttons or play money can be used in place of money if desired; make this more fun by making i...
Sbrvaniy Cute Unbreakable Piggy Bank - Pink
Just regular old kitchen tongs can take the place of tweezers that are often sold as part of children's fine motor kits. The silicon on these ones add some extra grip to pick up different items, and they're also a good size for little hands.
Kids ca...
Mini Kitchen Tongs
Another item that you might already have at home - clothes pegs! Pinching these open with thumb and forefinger will strengthen pincer grasp. You can make using these into a fun game, such as trying to put as many pegs as possible onto each other's sl...
Clothes Pegs
Fine Motor-Specific Resources
The toys and resources linked here are designed with the specific purpose of building on fine motor skills!
Pinching pipettes between thumb and forefinger is another way to strengthen pincer grasp. The linked pipettes are a good size for developing hands and the bright colours are a fun bonus.
There are so many ways to use water droppers. They can be a bath toy, or used as a tool in mixing up potions. For a more creative option, mix up food colouring and water and have your little one make some water-dropper artwork!
There are so many ways to use water droppers. They can be a bath toy, or used as a tool in mixing up potions. For a more creative option, mix up food colouring and water and have your little one make some water-dropper artwork!
Water Droppers
Lacing cards are a go-to fine motor resource for developing pincer grasp. This particular item is great for younger learners with little hands; the holes are bigger and the string has a large caterpillar to hold onto to help guide it through. As well...
Lacing Cards (Younger)
Another lacing card option, this one is better suited to older learners. With smaller holes, this will provide a greater challenge. I love that this product also has a creative element and that kids can choose different colour combinations and patter...
Lacing Cards (Older)
Whilst regular beads are a great way to practice pincer grasp for older children, little hands need something bigger to grip. Designated threading toys such as this one here are perfect; holding and maneuvering the wooden end of the string is a chang...
Caterpillar Threading (Younger)
Lock and key toys are another resouce that require kinds to use their pincer grip to hold and manipulate the key. There are many different variations of this toy available, including ones to match letters/numbers. The linked one is my personal favour...
Lock and Key Toys
Pegboards
Pegboards are always one of my go-tos! There are a variety of sizes available to suit all abilities/ages, and they can be used in different ways depending on your child's interests.
This is a really beautiful and high-quality product. The designs are creative and great for any animal lovers out there. I tend to use this pegboard for older kids; it's great to build on precision as the pegs can tend to wobble a bit and need to be ...
Djeco Animo Mosaico Peg Board
This is my personal favourite for younger learners or as an introductory fine motor activity. It's sturdy and the pieces are larger to make placing them easier for little hands. The pictures make it a bit more engaging and fun, and the pieces pack aw...
Button Picture Pegboard (Younger)
Blank pegboards like this one are the most versatile. You can link them in with any interest - draw a simple picture or write a word on the base with a dry-erase marker, and your child can practice placing the pegs on top.
Blank Pegboard