My son loves Cheerios. LOVES them. But not only are they apparently yummy (I don’t quite understand the appeal myself 😉 ), they also have a fun shape that pretty much screams for putting them on a skewer.
I did just that and made a Cheerios Fine Motor Snack for a fun, engaging way to work on N’s fine motor skills – and he thought it was the most amazing idea ever 🙂
It’s fine motor practice, looking at things in a new way, sensory exploration, and a snack all in one, just an all around great little activity.
Materials for Cheerios Fine Motor Snack
- Cheerios or other o-shaped cereal.
- A skewer. Cut off the pointy end(s) if applicable.
When I put the skewer with a handful of Cheerios in front of him, N was a bit taken aback. But he quickly put his apple down to figure out how to get to his beloved Cheerios.
Cheerios, Gluten Free, Cereal with Whole Grain Oats, 20 oz
Barilla Pasta, Spaghetti, 16 Ounce (Pack of 8)
The Cheerios were a bit of a tight fit, but it didn’t take him long to get the first one off.
They tasted even better this way 😉
Once the first batch of Cheerios was gone, I put another handful on N’s tray. I wasn’t sure if he was going to bother with the skewer instead of eating them right away.
But he apparently liked the skewer so much that he decided to find out how to get Cheerios on it. At this point, he’d long since forgotten about the apple.
Recommended Fine Motor Toys
Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog, Sensory, Fine Motor Toy, Ages 2+Coogam Wooden Lacing Apple Threading Toys Wood Block Puzzle Travel Game Early Learning Fine Motor Skills Airplane Car Educational Gift for 1 2 3 Years Old Toddlers Baby KidsRevanak Wooden Educational Preschool Toddler Toys for 1 2 3 4 5 Year Old Boys Girls Shape Color Recognition Geometric Board Blocks Stack Sort Chunky Puzzles Kids Children Baby Non-Toxic ToyLearning Resources Helping Hands Fine Motor Tool Set Toy, 4 Classic Pieces, Ages 3+
It took him a little while, but eventually, he had success and was able to eat a Cheerio right off the tip of the skewer.
I loved the different way he experimented with the Cheerios and the skewer and didn’t give up when it took a little while to figure it out.
Using both hands to get a Cheerio on his skewer ended up being his favorite technique.
Recommended Toddler Books
The Wonderful Things You Will BeThe Day the Crayons QuitGiraffes Can’t DanceIf Animals Kissed Good NightChicka Chicka Boom Boom (Board Book)From Head to Toe Board Book
Are you looking for other simple toddler activities?
I’m a big fan of little activities like this that take minimal supplies, almost no time to set up, and are really engaging for little kids. Other favorites include:
- Fine Motor Activity with Straws
- Simple Transportation Sensory Bin, and
- Toddler Boredom Buster with Cups and Flowers.
More toddler activities
These activities are all pretty much mess-free, but if you’re up for the possibility of a little bit of a mess, try these: Sand Foam Sensory Play, Goopy Grass Sensory Play, and Sensory Play with Dinosaurs.
We're from Germany but currently live in Texas. Come on over to get to know my kids, my blog, and me better!
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