Craft with poor pencil control

[ForeverBubblegum]

DS is 3 and I'm struggling to keep him occupied. He wants to do craft type activities, but I'm struggling to find things he can actually do.

His fine motor skills aren't great, so he struggles with anything drawing related. He can still only scribble, but wants to draw things, so just gets frustrated. So far big hits have been leaf wax rubbing, cutting and sticking printed pictures, and cutting shapes out of dough.

Does anyone have any suggestions for pen free making?

[TorysSuckRevokeArticle50]

Sticking stuff on paper or old boxes was a big hit with DD at that age. A saucer or something with PVA glue, old clothes on and a covering on the floor or table. Then they can find leaves, other bits of old boxes/recycling, scraps of cloth, the little pom-poms or pipe cleaners from craft section of superstore, cutouts from magazines, screwed up tissue paper.

And just let them stick things together

[SamSeabornforPresident]

My DD (just turned 3) likes to cut bits of paper (with very blunt scissors) and stick stickers, sequins and foam shapes onto paper and card.

[LiveLearnTogether]

My daughter found sticker books very frustrating, until I started peeling the backing off around the stickers. Now she loves it!

One of the first crafts I did with both my girls was to spell their name with washi tape (or masking tape) on a piece of paper then have them just cover the whole page in colour with anything. Crayons or pastels work really well. When they’re done, peel the tape away and you’ve got their name. Very satisfying, not a lot of pen control needed but good practice holding a pen. Good luck! He sounds very motivated

[Margo34]

Painting? Doesn't need to be with paint if you don't have any--just a paint brush and water on a concrete floor. Big motions /gross motor skills will help build up his fine motor skills.

What about having a pot of buttons or sequins that he has to pick up with his fingers and stick on top of letters of his name? Pincer grip practise is good for developing fine motor skills and early pencil grip.