This is an easy art and craft project that is great at helping kids develop their fine motor skills and dexterity. The instructions are simple, and other than gathering the materials, there is virtually no prep time.
We like to call this craft project "string theory" because we like word play and are very silly people. It's an excellent at-home indoor activity, or a classroom story time activity that pairs well with the book, Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett or What to Do with a String by Jane Yolen!
What you need
White school glue
String or yarn. This project is a great way to up-cycle string, yarn, ribbon, gift wrap ribbons or twine. When you start collecting bits that find their way into your home, you'll be surprised at how quickly you amass enough for this project!
Scissors, child-friendly scissors are a must!
Construction paper, any color
Instructions
If your child can use scissors, let them cut up pieces of yarn and string. Cutting is excellent fine motor practice. Otherwise, and adult can pre-cut sections of yarn in a variety of lengths.
There is no right or wrong way to glue down the lengths of yarn. Your child can then squirt out glue in lines, swirls, shapes or blobs directly onto the construction paper. However, some children might enjoy the challenge of trying to apply the glue onto the string!
During this craft project, your child will be working on his pincer grasp, and fine motor muscle strength and control. These are important skills to develop for proper handwriting and other practical tasks.
Depending on the child's interest, they may attempt to arrange the string into pictures of recognizable objects. Others may simply make designs. As this is a process art project and since the focus is on developing fine motor skills, either artistic choice is a valid one!
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sunnymama says
I like this idea a lot! I also your suggestion to just let them explore 🙂
Jenny says
CJ loves to cut, and she loves glue, so I may have to give this a try. It's always interesting to give her free reign with glue- the last time I tried that, she lost interest in sticking anything onto the glue, and ended up pretending it was frosting.
kathy says
We did an adaptation of this with VBS. We used balloons sprayed with pan spray, put them in a bowl and then dipped long strands of yarn into glue and covered half of the balloon. Let the balloon dry over night. Then we popped the balloons the next day. And the kids took home a yarn bowl.
Erica says
Great idea!