We still have lots of pool noodles (or poodle noodles as my kids like to call them!) kicking around from our trampoline safety hack. Some are leftover cut up pieces. One of our pool noodles was still full and intact though. I didn't want to just throw them out. I figured they could be used for something.
I thought it might be fun to use the leftover chunks for a little fine motor practice perhaps.
And I know my kids love a good rubber band activity...
So I figured that we could combine rubber bands and pool noodles into one simple activity.
The end result is this super simple pool noodle and rubber band fine motor activity that's great for kids of all ages. So go grab some pool noodles and elastics and give this idea a try.
What You'll Need for this Pool Noodle & Rubber Band Fine Motor Activity
This fine motor play idea was inspired by this rubber band and cans fine motor activity from Hands On As We Grow. It also reminds me a lot of the hockey puck rubber band wrap activity that I remember doing as a kid. Anyway, much like you could probably guess from the title of this activity, you'll need:
- Pool noodles - We used cut up chunks of pool noodles initially for this activity. They were the leftover scraps from when we did this pool noodle trampoline safety hack. However, my youngest found it easier to work with full size pool noodles for this activity, as you'll see below.
- Rubber bands, assorted sizes - Just make sure that the bands are big enough to fit around the width of the pool noodle. So don't use any mini elastics here.
I mean it wouldn't be a pool noodle and rubber band activity without pool noodles and rubber bands, right?!
I set out the pool noodle chunks and a variety of rubber bands on our activity mat (ahem: an old shower curtain) and invited the kids to come play.
This Activity is a Great Fine Motor Skills Challenge!
The objective is simple. Simply stretch the rubber bands onto the pool noodles. However, it requires a lot of hand strength and finger strength. It also requires a lot of patience and practice.
The small pool noodle blocks likely made the activity a bit more challenging since the pool noodles were apt to falling over while adding the rubber bands. So my boys had to figure out ways to keep the pool noodle steady while they put the rubber bands on.
My oldest son managed fine with the cut up pieces of pool noodle. My three year old, on the other hand, found it easier to do this activity using longer pool noodles. He quickly figured out a strategy to keep the pool noodle steady. He simply held one end of the pool noodle between his legs and feet while he added the rubber bands.
Try this Colorful Fine Motor Practice Variation
As a fun variation, you could turn this rubber band fine motor play idea into a color matching activity.
You would need pool noodles and rubber bands that are similar in colors. Then your child would have to put pink elastics onto pink pool noodles, blue rubber bands onto blue noodles, and so on.
Take this Super Easy Rubber Band Activity on the Go Too!
Did you use cut up pool noodles for this rubber bands fine motor activity? Then why not turn it into a busy bag to take on the go.
Simply put one or two cut up pool noodles, along with the elastics, into a zipper seal bag. Then it's ready to go.
You can use this busy bag activity to keep kids busy during road trips, while waiting for appointments, or even when you need a bit of quiet time at home.
Other Simple Fine Motor Activities Your Kids Will Love
This activity is part of a weekly series that offers great activity ideas that promote fine motor skills. Here are some other simple play ideas your kids might enjoy:
Paperclip Counting 1-20 with Free Printable from Powerful Mothering
Back to School Pencil Frame Craft from Stir the Wonder
Fine Motor School Bus Activity from Craftulate
Fine Motor Bead Art from P is for Preschooler
School Bus Themed Find & Clip the Letter from School Time Snippets
Back to School Sensory Maze from Lalymom
Crayon and Play Dough Color Sort from House of Burke
Fine Motor Math with Bread Ties from Still Playing School
I hope you decide to give this pool noodle and rubber band fine motor activity a try. It's a really simple hand strengthening activity!
