Fine Motor
ThinkingToddlersKindergartnersPreschoolers5 Comments
These DIY building blocks are an easy way to get the kids playing and creating, dreamed up by Colleen, a Hands On As We Grow contributor.
Building with blocks is such a fun way to work on fine motor skills with kids.
These DIY building blocks can be made anywhere you find paper and tape, so they make a great option for travel or spur-of-the-moment entertainment!
We came up with this fine motor activity one rainy day and decided that our paper blocks would be fun to keep on hand all winter when we are looking for indoor play ideas.
Here are more ways to play with blocks.
Make DIY Building Blocks in Minutes
These DIY building blocks were super easy to make with quick preparation. You’ll need just two materials to make this set of DIY building blocks:
- Cardstock in a variety of colors (affiliate link)
- Tape
(You’ll also need a pair of scissors to cut the blocks.)
First, roll the cardstock into a paper tube. Use tape to secure along the entire edge. We found that using packing tape (affiliate link) worked best to hold the paper blocks together.
Next, mark off lines roughly 1.5 to 2 inches apart on the tubes. The distance doesn’t matter as long as the blocks are similar in size.
Use a pair of scissors to cut on the lines. This is a job for an adult or older child. You’ll want to cut with one long snip across the tube. This creates a smooth edge on the paper blocks for better building.
Finally, smooth out the slight crease made from cutting the tube, and your DIY paper blocks are done and ready for play!
(After we did this activity, a Hands On As We Grow reader, Piper, shared that she makes these blocks with a cardboard tube from paper towels or toilet paper — so smart!)
Get the kids and the blocks on the floor and start stacking!
Kids can improve their fine motor development with building blocks.
Picking up and placing the blocks in a specific place is an exercise in precision and many different grasps. These DIY paper blocks promote a pincer grasp, precision of release, and visual motor integration skills.
All of these skills are important for pencil grasp when learning to write, and working with small objects such as buttons and shoelaces.
We used our blocks to create pyramids, towers, and buildings. You could even use them to create your own floor block puzzle, or try some pattern building too!
Add this activity to your indoor play ideas and make your own paper blocks when it is too rainy or cold to go outside.
Here are a bunch more ideas for playing with blocks.
What’s your child’s favorite way to play with building blocks?
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dino run says
this is really what I was looking for. thank you very much.
Shae Richardson says
So glad I found this! I ended up painting empty paper towel rolls in bright colors and cutting them to size. My toddler and my cat both enjoy them. Thank you for sharing. <3
ankit says
This is really wonderful and also looking very good this type of the crafts
Driving Directions says
This is easy to make, thanks for sharing!