Simple Button Stringing Fine Motor Activity for Kids

Are you looking for a simple fine motor activity for kids? Then this Button Stringing is exactly what you need!

Lately, there has been a ton of talk about the use of technology, specifically handheld technology, and the resulting lack of fine motor skills in children. 

That’s why encouraging children to do simple fine motor work like button stringing is great for helping balance their technology use with their skill development.

Fine Motor Skills are ‘hand skills’ that use the small muscles in the hands and fingers to move & manipulate items. 

For example, drawing and writing; using buttons, zippers & shoestrings; and feeding one’s self require fine motor skills.

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Easy Button Stringing Fine Motor Activity for Kids

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Now for the fun part! This button stringing activity is super simple and the only things you will need are Pipe Cleaners & Buttons.

You can also adapt it to the season, upcoming holidays, or any other theme you are working on.

For example, since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner we recently did this activity using all red & pink buttons.

If you are button stringing around Halloween you could use black & orange buttons. Or a mix of red, white & blue buttons would be perfect for patriotic holidays.

Choosing the Correct Button Size

Younger children, such as toddlers, will benefit from having large buttons, with large button holes to grasp. Older children, such as preschoolers, will be able to use smaller buttons.

The button pack we used had both large and small buttons, allowing me to add in smaller sizes as my little guy became better at stringing the buttons.

When choosing the button size to use, you need to consider two important things.

Consider your Child’s Fine Motor Skills

First, you need to think about the fine motor abilities of the child who will be stringing.

For example, have they ever worked on stringing before? If not, you are going to want to use large buttons.

Do they have stringing toys with large holes and could be challenged by trying smaller buttons? If so, then using smaller buttons would be a good idea.

Keep Child’s Age & Safety in Mind

Next, you need to consider the age of the child who will be stringing.

Especially things like are they old enough to not put the buttons in their mouth? If you think they will be tempted to put the buttons in their mouth, try using a stringing toy instead of this activity.

These wooden threading beads are adorable and would be great for younger children to start learning to string.

Another important item to consider is if their fine motor skills are far enough long that this type of stringing won’t overly frustrate them.

If they struggle with threading the buttons, switching to a threading set like this Melissa & Doug Primary Lacing Beads might be your best bet.

The First Step in Button Stringing

It’s important to secure the bottom of the button with the pipe cleaner.

This will keep the buttons on the pipe cleaner and make for easier stringing.

Simply weave the pipe cleaner into the button holes, until you can pull on the button gently and it will not slide off.

Using a flat button is also a great idea because then your child can set it down easily without it falling over.

How to Start Button Stringing

Once you have your bottom button secure, your child can start stringing!

Younger children might need assistance with you holding the pipe cleaner at first.

Help your child aim the metal end of the pipe cleaner into the button-hole.

If your child is finding it difficult to string the buttons, they might need to try ones with larger holes.

If the pipe cleaner becomes bent from numerous button-hole misses, just straighten it out by pulling on it tightly.

Make it about More than just Stringing

So yes, the main concept of this activity is to help your child work on their hand skills while having fun along the way.

My little guy filled two pipe cleaners full and then walked them around the house like they were legs.

He was done stringing and had moved on to a creative activity.

There are other numerous ways to slip in a little more learning while your child is working on stringing.

This doesn’t mean you have to be constantly assisting your child while they string.

Giving children a little space to figure things out is perfectly okay and gives busy parents time for other important tasks.

My little guy works at the kitchen table while I am prepping food, paying bills, or helping his big brothers with their homework. Occasionally I’ll ask a prompting question working on the following areas.

Colors

• Ask your child to tell you the color of the button he is currently stringing
• If the buttons are all the same color, work on shades – lighter & darker

Shapes & Sizes

• Most buttons are circles, but they make everything these days, so various shaped buttons are available
• Ask your child to string the buttons in order by their size. For example, “Can you string the largest buttons first and then the smallest buttons?’
• Bonus – Older children can organize the buttons on the table by size before stringing
  
  

Numbers

• Simply count the buttons
• Ask your child, “Can you string 5 buttons?” or “Let me know when you have strung 10 buttons.”
• Older children can count how many buttons they were able to string on one pipe cleaner

Patterns

• You can do pattern stringing by size or color. Set up the pattern on the table so your child has a template to follow. Younger children will do great with patterns such as ABAB (red, blue, red, blue) or AABB (red, red, blue, blue). Sizing would be the same ABAB (large, small, large, small).

Free Parent Questions for Stringing Activity

This print-out is great to stick in the bag with your buttons and pipe cleaners to refresh your memory when you start stringing.

Even with my teaching background, I find having a cheat sheet helps me remember questions and ideas to further my sons’ learning.

Parent Prompts & Questions for Button Stringing – Valentine’s Day Theme

These prompts are themed around red & pink buttons, but you can easily adapt them with other button colors.

If you enjoyed this Simple Button Stringing Activity, make sure you follow Productive Pete on Pinterest for all kinds of great activities for kids, along with Productivity Tips to help you create more time in your busy day.