Cheerios Fine Motor Snack for Toddlers
This Cheerios Fine Motor Snack for Toddlers is a simple and delicious activity! Why not have your child work on their fine motor skills while they’re having a snack at the same time? It’s genius!
More fun toddler activities coming your way as you check out my other enjoyable and educational toddler activities here.
My son loves Cheerios. LOVES them. But not only are they apparently yummy (I don’t quite understand the appeal myself ;)), but 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.
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Cheerios Fine Motor Snack for Toddlers
If you’re looking for ways to help your child work on their fine motor skills, this is the activity for you. Being able to work with them on picking up smaller objects is the perfect way to accomplish this goal.
Recommended Toddler Books
Now is the best time to teach your child to love books and reading. This is such a wonderful way to spend with your child. Here are some of our favorite toddler books to read!
The Wonderful Things You Will BeThe Day the Crayons QuitGiraffes Can’t DanceIf Animals Kissed Good Night[( Chicka Chicka Boom Boom )] [by: Jr. Bill Martin] [Aug-2012]From Head to Toe Board Book
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.
The Cheerios were a bit of a tight fit, but it didn’t take him long to get the first one off.
Recommended Fine Motor Toys
If you want something more sturdy, try one of these fun fine motor toys so they can practice using their pincer grasp.
Learning Resources Pedro the Fine Motor Peacock, Montessori Toys, Develops Fine Motor Skills, Color and Numbers Recognition, Toddler Toys, 6 pieces, Ages 18 mos+Revanak 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 Hoot the Fine Motor Owl, Color, Shapes and Number Development, Fine Motor and Sensory Toy, Educational Toys for Toddlers, 6 Pieces, Ages 18 Months +Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog, Fine Motor and Sensory Toy, Educational Toys for Toddlers, Ages 18 months+Coogam Wooden Tool Box, Toddler Fine Motor Skill Construction Building STEM Toy Set Nuts and Bolts Screw Driver Toolbox Kit Montessori Educational Gift for Preschool Year Old KidsGEMEM Wooden Lacing Threading Toys Fine Motor Skill Toys for 3 Year Old Educational and Learning Montessori Toddler Travel Toy 1 Strawberry and 1 Dog
They tasted even better this way 😉
Materials for Cheerios Fine Motor Snack
You could alternatively try this with spaghetti or a thin pasta noodle.
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.
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.
Why do fine motor skills matter?
I had someone ask me this – and it’s important to talk about. Fine motor skills are mentioned all the time, but the reasons aren’t always listed.
Babie and toddlers start to use fine motor skills at a very young age. The reason for this is that it helps with visual learning, hand-eye coordination, gripping, muscle skills, and more.
The more that your child works on picking up Cheerios with their fingers now, the better they’re going to be with using their fingers and picking up items later down the road.
In fact, fine motor skills are skills that they will use throughout their entire life.
Can I use Cheerios learning for older kids?
Absolutely! Older kids love Cheerios, too! You can have them craft with Cheerios, see how many Cheerios they can stack on a stick, or work on counting skills as well.
Cheerios are not only delicious, but they’re super simple to create with and are fun to use for all ages.
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
This is a great way to work on hand-eye coordination and grabbing skills.
How to Make a Toddler Activity Box
Use these simple instructions to keep your toddler active and busy. You can’t go wrong with this!
Toddler Play with Pinecones and Tissue Paper
I love that this activity uses simple supplies!
Toddler Boredom Buster with Cups and Flowers
Have kids that say that they’re bored? Give them this exercise, and watch them have a blast!
Simple Transportation Sensory Bin by Simple Fun for Kids
Sensory bins are always a good idea! There are so many great ways for the kids to feel all different types of textures.
Rainbow Pouring Station by Busy Toddler
They’ll have a blast with this one – and love all the fun colors!
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.
Road Trip Activities for Toddlers
Baby and Toddler Approved Edible Paint Recipe
Edible Toddler Goop by Eating Richly
Edible Mud Sensory Play Pigs in Mud by Messy Little Monster
I love this about the internet! There are such great ideas out there and such simple ones too! I can’t believe I haven’t thought of this one yet but I find myself saying that all the time now! I have twin “tabies” and 5 others so I’ve had my share of original entertaining ideas! I really appreciate your sharing and the way you share too. I especially like the pics of little N and the details of his “review” of whatever game it is you’re giving him. Thank you so much for the inspiration and keep up the good work!