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    Home » Fine motor skills activities

    Published: Feb 11, 2019 · Modified: Jun 26, 2023 by Fynn · All activities should be supervised by an adult. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Rainbow Hearts Loose Parts Line Up

    Inside: What are loose parts and how children benefit from playing with loose parts in this Rainbow Hearts Line Up activity.

    Rainbow hearts Fine motor activity for kids using Loose Parts

    In this simple loose part line up activity, children learn SO MUCH!

    • Fine motor skills
    • Pre-writing skills
    • Color matching
    • Colors of the rainbow
    • Heart shape
    Jump to:
    • But first, what are loose parts?
    • Gathering the loose parts
    • How Children Benefit from this Rainbow Hearts Loose Parts Line Up

    But first, what are loose parts?

    This idea of 'loose parts' was created by architect Simon Nicholson to describe open-ended materials that can be used and manipulated in many ways. 

    Simply put, they are materials that the children can move around and use to create anything from their imagination!

    I wish we have some fancy, beautiful wooden loose parts at home. But we don't.

    Our version of loose parts at home?

    Bottle caps, pouch caps, beads, pompoms, sticks, pebbles etc. You get the idea.

    Related: 20+ Play ideas with Bottle Caps and Pouch Lids

    non-expensive Loose parts

    These non-expensive loose parts from my recycling bin, nature and resource cupboard work just as well as open-ended materials in play!

    At my home, I have a drawer full of loose parts from the recycling bins (think bottle caps, yogurt cups, pouch lids, TP rolls etc). We have a pile of rocks, pebbles and sticks in our backyard. And my children have full access to these materials all day.

    Related: Keep the trash and make more learning toys!

    Gathering the loose parts

    I enlisted my children's help to find all the loose parts we need in the rainbow colors. They knew just where to find them!

    Then I drew out the rainbow hearts and they were on task right away! Each grabbed the loose parts in his/her favorite color and started lining them on the line.

    Rainbow Hearts Loose Parts Line Up - A fine motor, color matching and pre-writing activity for preschoolers
    Rainbow Hearts Loose Parts Line Up - A fine motor, color matching and pre-writing activity for preschoolers

    How Children Benefit from this Rainbow Hearts Loose Parts Line Up

    Now pay attention to how they use their little fingers to pick up each small bead, Lego and pompom in a pincer grip and place them on the line.

    I'm not kidding you, that's serious muscle training in progress.

    This pre-writing workout for the little hands goes a long way to help your child hold a pencil in the future.

    Related: Find out how you can prepare your child for writing with these pre-writing skills and activities.

    Rainbow Hearts Loose Parts Line Up - A fine motor, color matching and pre-writing activity for preschoolers

    Search around your house and you will be surprised by all the 'loose parts' you can find! Then time to create these Rainbow Loose Part Hearts!

    Related: More RAINBOW goodness on our weather theme learning shelf.

    Don't forget to pin this for later!

    Rainbow Hearts Loose Parts Line Up - A fine motor, color matching and pre-writing activity for preschoolers

    Bonus: Join my mailing list and download this free guide: 9 Simple Ways to Spark a Love of Learning in your Children. Get this guide now>>

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    About Fynn

    Fynn is a Math and Science teacher from Singapore, author of The Happy Learning Book for Siblings and founder of Happy Tot Shelf. She helps parents enjoy home learning with their children through her highly popular kids' activity membership, The Happy Learners' Club. Fynn has been featured in various newspapers, websites and on radio shows as an expert in early childhood learning and creative hands-on learning ideas.

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    Hi there, I'm Fynn, an educator, author and mom of 3. I believe nurturing a love of learning begins at home. I'm here to help parents nurture a love of learning and build a strong bond with their children through fun learning together.

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