​Why Fine Motor Skills Matter

​Students with visual impairments rely on their hands not just for exploration, but also for learning, communication, and independence. Developing fine motor skills helps with:
  • Manipulating learning tools (e.g., stylus, braillewriter, math materials)
  • Exploring textures and shapes tactually
  • Engaging in activities of daily living
  • Building independence in classroom and community tasks
Key fine motor skill areas include:
  • Palmar grasp
  • Pincer grasp
  • Finger isolation
  • Bilateral hand use
  • Rotary motion
  • Tactual tracking
  • Grip strength
  • Hand-eye (or hand-hand) coordination
Students benefit from hands-on exploration with a variety of tactile materials and meaningful practice in fun, motivating ways.

Finger Strength and Grip Activities

Strong fingers and proper grip are essential for braille writing and tool use. These age-neutral activities help develop hand strength:
  • Squeeze sponges during water play or cleaning
  • Use bulb syringes to transfer water in science or art
  • Pop bubble wrap (a favorite for all ages!)
  • Use clothespins to clip items or close snack bags
  • Pick up small objects with toaster tongs or tweezers
  • Crumple paper and toss it into a bin or use it in crafts
  • Tear paper into strips or shapes
  • Use scissors on different textures and paper weights
  • Try hole punches or shaped craft punches
  • Squeeze spray bottles for watering plants or art
  • Hide beads, coins, or bingo chips in putty or play-doh, then find, count, and sort them
  • Knead dough (gluten-free if needed for allergies)

​Encouraging Object Manipulation

​Once students begin to explore objects, encourage them to actively manipulate them:
  • Shake, bang, poke, pull, push, twist, and squeeze
  • Use containers with varied shapes and lids to open, close, and explore
  • Wrap and unwrap objects in cloth or paper
  • Offer stacking, nesting, and sorting activities
  • Guide students to use both hands in coordinated ways (e.g., stabilizing with one hand while manipulating with the other)
Demonstrate how to perform actions to expand the student’s play repertoire and problem-solving abilities.

​Engaging Activities to Build Skillful Hands

​These fun and purposeful activities support both fine motor development and pre-braille readiness:
  • Press buttons on a calculator, toy register, or keyboard
  • Peel stickers, tags, or tape from items (e.g., groceries, containers)
  • Turn a gumball machine lever to retrieve a treat
  • Race wind-up toys across a table or floor
  • String beads on pipe cleaners or elastic, try beads of different textures and shapes
  • Use a foam board and toy hammer to pound in pegs and create designs
  • Use a Lite Brite to create visual or tactile patterns (great for students with low vision)
  • Assemble nuts and bolts, choose oversized ones for younger students
  • Build with LEGOs, follow instructions or create original designs
  • Use lacing cards made from greeting cards or craft foam
  • Sequence measuring spoons and clip them to a ring
  • Create patterns on a pegboard with different-shaped pegs
  • Explore jars and containers with screw-top, pop-up, or snap-on lids
Consider adding small tools or safe electronics (like old radios or flashlights) for exploration and "taking apart" practice.

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Full Article List

Guide: Start Here
Tools (VI Basics)
Plan: Referrals & Eligibility
Referral & Eligibility​ ​Medical Vision Information 
FVLMALow Vision Evaluations
Other Evaluations
Plan: IEP Planning
Plan: Collaboration & Accessibility
​Collaboration Accessible Materials ​Classroom Access Instructional Access Technology Access ​Additional Supports Service Delivery Models  ​
Teach: Compensatory Skills
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development ​Alternative Communication ​Emergent Literacy ​Braille Code
​Beginning Braille ​ Braille Fluency & Comprehension  Writing Braille ​​​Nemeth Code Instruction 
​​​Tactile Graphics ​Print Concepts ​​Abacus  ​​Organization Skills​ ​​Study Skills ​​Time Management
Teach: Sensory Efficiency Skills
​Auditory & Listening Skills ​​Visual Efficiency Skills ​​Optical Device Use ​Tactile Readiness
Teach: Assistive Technology 
AT Overview ​AT Use & Maintenance Braille AT ​iOS Instruction Audio Access​ ​Video Magnifiers ​​​Basic Computer Use Computer Access ​Productivity
Teach: Social Skills
Social Skill Basics​
Non-Verbal Skills​​​​ Verbal Communication Skills Cooperative Skills Identity & Self-Awareness ​Interactions & Relationships Managing Challenges & Safety
Teach: Self Determination
Teach: Independent Living Skills
Personal Care ​Hygiene & Grooming ​Personal Health Mealtime Skills ​​​ Food Preparation
Household Skills Clothing Management ​Money & Budget Shopping & Consumerism Phone Use ​Safety & Emergency Preparedness ​​Services & Community Resources
Teach: Orientation & Mobility
Teach: Recreation & Leisure
Teach: Career & Vocational
Printables
Free Resources​ Premium Resource Library 
Teaching Strategy Printables 
​Premium Program Printables
​Premium FVLMA Printables
​ECC PrintablesCompensatory Skills Printables
Sensory Efficiency Printables
Assistive Technology Printables
Social Skills Printables
Self Determination Printables
Independent Living Printables
Recreation & Leisure Printables
Career & Vocational Printables
Evelyn Jane Stories 
Learn: Teaching Strategies & Planning
Learn: ​ECC Units
Beginning of the Year Units ​​Fall UnitsWinter Units ​​Winter Units ​​Spring UnitsAnytime Units
Learn: ​Interactive Activities
Learn: Recorded Presentations
Learn: Complete Set Bonus ​
Tip: Collaborate with your school’s Occupational Therapist for additional support and activity ideas. The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) also offers an excellent list of motor activities to support pre-braille development.