Pumpkin Drop is just one of many fun autumn fine motor activities perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who need encouragement and practice using the pincher grasp.
Be sure to read to the end of this post to find 21 other amazing fall fine motor activities.
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Ok, I know it’s just barely September, but I just can’t hold my horses any longer.
Not that I’m wishing away time, but sometimes my excitement gets the best of me. Because you see, autumn is my favorite season.
I love everything about autumn. I love how the sun feels different. It’s still warm during the days, but the mornings are brisk. I love the changing colors of the leaves, the sounds they make as you walk through them, and I love how the earth brings on a kind of musky smell. Of dirt and thing drying out.
I love that we stop eating healthy and light and start eating hearty, stick-to-your-ribs dishes full of squash and beans. And pumpkins, and caramel, and apples and walnuts. And all of them together, even. I love having an excuse to drink warm tea or hot cocoa again. All the foods that make us want to cuddle up and just enjoy being in each other’s company.
I love how in the autumn it’s time to break out the light sweaters and knit tights. And boots. Who doesn’t love to wear a great boot? I even start to love plaid this time of year and dare I say that I have a few flannel button-downs that are just so cozy? And speaking of cozy, how about snuggling up with that insanely soft and fuzzy blanket on the porch swing with that cup of tea I mentioned earlier?
Now, I’m not forgetting my kids, either. There is a subtle joy that comes with sending my kids back to school, mostly because I adore those cute faces so much more when they arrive home each afternoon, and having three at home is easier than all five. But they love autumn, too, and are simply fascinated by the changing earth as they relish the last of the warm days before winter finally approaches. They love the hay bail tractor rides, jumping in (and even raking) leaves, and carving pumpkins. They love the gourds and Indian corn and the smell of cinnamon in their morning oatmeal. They, too, enjoy all the wonderful things fall has to offer us
So, yes, it is just barely September, but can you blame me? In my house, we wish for this season to last as long as possible, even if September here is still basically summer. So maybe we start celebrating a little early and continue a little late because we do love it so.
And, yes, that means we start our autumn themed activities a little earlier than most, too.
Pumpkin Drop – an Autumn Fine Motor Activity
As a teacher, I also love all the fun manipulatives that can be found around fall. The acrylic pumpkins in this activity never get old, especially since they make the most delightful sound as they clink into the bottom of the glass jar.
Now, you can extend this activity by turning it into a counting game, or even a letter game, but mostly I just wanted to give my preschooler son (just barely three) and his little brother (just about two) an opportunity to have some autumn fine motor fun.
Materials
- glass jar with narrow opening (I like these glass milk jugs)
- acrylic pumpkins
or acrylic acorns
- jumbo tweezers
(optional)
(optional)See How Else I Use These Materials in These Related Reads
Autumn Themed Invitation to Play
Autumn Leaf Sensory Bin
Jingle Bell Drop
The Set Up
Place the milk jar and tweezers on a tray. I just poured out the acrylic pumpkins on the tray (I love these food trays
Invite your preschoolers to join you.
Fall Fine Motor Activity
The concept is simple. The preschooler or toddler simply uses the jumbo tweezers to drop the acrylic pumpkins in the glass milk jugs
Using the tweezers to pick up the acrylic pumpkins
Instead, Kent opted to use his hands to drop the pumpkins into the jar, which was ok since it encouraged him to use his pincher grasp, which is needed for a mature pencil grip.
This activity was great for my toddler as well. (Disclaimer – this activity does involve small parts, so please be responsible and supervise your toddler to prevent choking). While James, who is not yet two, wasn’t interested in attempting the pincher grasp for this activity, it still allowed him to practice hand-eye coordination.
There wasn’t anything James didn’t love about this. “I some, Mommy?” he kept asking while he tried to patiently wait for his brother’s turn to end. Then, “Pum-in, Mommy!” (“Pumpkin, Mommy”)
What worked best about this activity is that, well, it was fall themed, and we have established how much my house adores all things autumn. But, second, this is a fine motor activity that is great for a range of ages. My daughter, who is five, benefitted by using the tweezers, which are designed to strengthen her hands. My preschooler, who just turned three, practiced his pincher grasp, and my toddler, not yet two, practiced hand-eye coordination.
Read More About Developing Fine Motor Skills in These Posts
O Shape Cereal Drop for Babies
Thirty Verbs That Promote Fine Motor Development
Pencil Grasp Development – Babies Through Kindergarten
Once the jar was filled to the brim, the kids experienced yet another challenge. How to very delicately pile the acrylic pumpkins on top of one another without them spilling over.
But can I just say how pretty the glass milk jar looks filled with the acrylic pumpkins
21 Other Autumn Fine Motor Activities You Will Love
Seriously. You have to try these out.
By the way, if you’re not following these blogs already, you really ought to be. Talk about creative and inspiring ideas! And let me just tell you that every activity below to truly unique of the one before it, so you will have no shortage of finding autumn fine motor activities for you preschoolers or toddler this fall!
Fine Motor Fall Leaf Activities
Fall Themed Sight Word Sensory Bin by Mom Explores the Smokies
Wrapping Leaves Fine Motor Activity by Cutting Tiny Bites
Sensory Autumn Art by Mosswood Connections
Sorting Fall Leaves with Tweezers by Modern Preschool
Fall Leaves In and Out Activity for Toddlers by Still Playing School
Leaf Threading by Here Come the Girls
Fall Fine Motor Counting Sensory Bin by Little Bins for Little Hands
Fine Motor Autumn Tree Activities
Torn Paper Fall Trees from 3 Dinosaurs
Crumpled Paper Fall Trees by Fantastic Fun and Learning
Yarn Trees from 3 Dinosaurs
Autumn Pom Pom Tree Activity by Play-Trains
Stuffed Pine Cones by Kids Craft Room
Fine Motor Cranberry and Apple Activities
Cranberry Fine Motor Games by Lalymom
Apple Patterns by The Kindergarten Connection
“Bobbing” for Apples by Fantastic Fun and Learning
Shiny Red Sticker Apples by Cutting Tiny Bites
Fine Motor Pine Cone and Acorn Activities
Autumn Sensory Play from Mama’s Happy Hive
Pine Cone Drop by Simple Fun for Kids
Pine Cone Painting by Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
Pine Cones and Elastic Bands Fine Motor Activity by The Imagination Tree
Yarn Wrapped Pine Cones by Wings and Roots
You created and found so many awesome activities! The kids will have so much fun as they practice their fine motor skills!
This is such a great list! Thanks for taking the time to put it together!
This is an awesome list! I love how you teach the kids to learn on their own while having fun. It’s great!
Thanks for sharing.
I love this great tips! I should try this with my son, this is amazing! thanks for sharing this Sarah. I love it very much.