Printable Carnival Lacing Cards
My kids have always loved the carnivals, so I knew they’d be excited about these Printable Carnival Lacing Cards. They’re bright, fun, and perfect for preschoolers who enjoy hands-on learning. This is one of those printables that keeps little hands busy while giving moms a chance to breathe.
If you need more ideas, see these fun Summer Worksheets for Kids. Here, you’ll find a collection of our go-to summer learning printables. These are simple, engaging, and perfect for warm-weather homeschooling.
Keep reading because I’ll share how I use these lacing cards with my child, what supplies you’ll need, and why this is a valuable activity to add to your printable resources.
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Surprising Carnival Facts
I’ve learned that carnival-themed activities are a great way to sprinkle in some fun facts. My preschooler loves to repeat these to anyone who will listen.
- The first Ferris wheel was built in 1893. It was created for the World’s Fair in Chicago and stood 264 feet tall.
- Popcorn used to be banned in movie theaters. Theater owners thought it was too messy before they realized it helped boost snack sales.
- Carnivals weren’t just for fun—they had jobs too. In the 1800s, traveling carnivals were how some people made a living, setting up booths and selling goods across towns.
Recommended Carnival Books
To make our activities even more engaging, I like to pair them with read-aloud time. Carnival-themed books are a great way to build excitement before starting this printable.
Carnival of the AnimalsOLIVIA and the School Carnival (Olivia TV Tie-in)Clifford At the CircusCarnival CountingDaniel Goes to the Carnival (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)A Day At The Circus: A children’s bedtime story book. US Edition (Carl and Cindy Series)
Benefits of Lacing Activities
Lacing might seem simple, but it works wonders for preschool development. It’s one of those quiet-time activities that builds essential skills.
- Fine motor control: Helps strengthen the small muscles in their hands, making writing and cutting easier later.
- Patience: They learn to take their time and follow each hole individually.
- Hand-eye coordination: Watching them guide the string through each space proves how much they’re learning.
Recommended Summer Printable Packs
If you’re looking to build a stash of engaging summer resources, I have a few favorites. Grab one of these fun summer themed units for some easy learning.
Skills Kids Build With This Printable
Using these carnival lacing cards isn’t just about fun—they also build foundational learning skills that stick.
- Concentration: Threading each hole takes focus. It’s an activity that naturally builds longer attention spans.
- Grip strength: Holding the card steady and pulling the yarn through gives those small muscles a workout.
- Visual tracking: Watching the string move from one hole to the next is great for early reading and math readiness.
Recommended Carnival Toys
I keep a small stash of carnival-themed toys on hand to match these printables. This helps keep the theme going and extends the activity time.
Duck Pond Matching Carnival Game, Outdoor Games for Kids Birthday Party Field Day Fun Activities for Kids 4-8, 3-5 – Outdoor Water Toys and Games for Backyard, Memory Game, Easter Gift Summer ToyTOY Life Bean Bags Toss Carnival Game, Cornhole, Outdoor Toys for Kids Ages 4-8, Backyard Game Sports & Outdoor Play, Outside Toys for Ages 5-7, Family Lawn Yard Games Birthday Party, Gift for BoysEocolz 3 in 1 Carnival Games Set, Soft Plastic Cones Bean Bags Ring Toss Games for Kids Birthday Party Outdoor Games Supplies Combo SetArtCreativity Carnival Rubber Duckies for Kids, Pack of 12 Cute Duck Bathtub Pool Toys, Fun Carnival Supplies, Birthday Party Favors for Boys and Girls2 Pack Head Hoop Basketball Party Game for Kids and Adults Carnival Game Adjustable Basket Net Headband with 20 Balls for Carnival Party Birthday Party Family Indoor Outdoor Game (Red + Blue)Buffalo Games – Skee-Ball
Supplies You’ll Need for This Carnival Activity
To prep the lacing cards, you only need a few basic materials. Here’s what we use:
- Printer (I have this one)
- Cardstock
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- Yarn or shoelaces
- Laminator (optional)
I have the HP printer 8710, but it’s not available anymore. It’s been running well for years now. Look for another HP Instant Ink-ready printer so that you can use their program to send you ink cartridges whenever your printer gets low on ink.
What’s included in the fine motor practice carnival printable?
Girl Inside the Ticket Booth
This page features a smiling girl inside a classic red ticket booth. My preschooler liked pretending she was selling us tickets to our pretend ride.
Ferris Wheel
A colorful Ferris wheel design with bright seats makes this one fun to lace around. The circular shape adds more challenge, keeping my child focused a little longer.
Pretzel
This yummy-looking soft pretzel design brought out all the snack requests. Its fun twisty shape is perfect for practicing curved lacing paths.
Swing Ride
The swing ride picture shows motion with swaying chairs. My preschooler enjoyed making up stories about the people riding it as she laced.
Popcorn
This page shows a striped box of buttery popcorn. We laced it while munching on the real thing, making the whole experience extra fun.
Fun Summer Activities for Kids to Try
If you’re looking for easy and educational activities this summer, I’ve got you covered.
- Carnival Worksheets for Kindergarten
- Exciting Exploding Tea Party
- Summer Preschool Science Activities
- Carnival Writing Worksheets
- Free Sequencing Worksheets for Summer by Homeschool Preschool
- Pete The Cat Goes Camping Craft by Simple Everyday Mom
I hope this preschool carnival-themed lacing activity brings as much fun to your homeschool day as it did to ours. Whether you’re using them for a theme week or need something screen-free and easy to prep, they’re a great go-to.