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Use craft sticks and a clothespin to make these easy DIY craft stick tongs. Perfect for little hands to practice their fine motor skills!
If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for clever and affordable ways and quick hacks to entertain and engage your little ones. Today, I want to share with you a super fun and easy project for turning ordinary clothespins and craft sticks into a set of handy tongs!
This clever little hack is awesome for sensory activities when you’re looking for loose parts to pick up and practice your fine motor skills. and trust me, your kids are going to love it too.
Grab your glue gun, gather up your supplies, and let’s recycle these everyday items into a pair of handy tongs perfect for tiny hands!
P.S. This fun pig pom pom activity is from my book Recycle and Play!
How do you make DIY Craft Stick Tongs?
All you’ll need are two popsicle sticks, a clothespin and hot glue to make this easy hack. You’ll glue the clothespin tops to the insides of two clothespins (make sure they are the general same size) and glue to the top third so the bottom can open up.
Why are tongs great for kids practicing fine motor skills?
- Grasping and gripping: Tongs require your kiddo to use their fingers and hands in a whole new way. The pinching motion they need to master helps strengthen those little hand muscles, preparing them for more complex tasks like writing, buttoning, and tying shoelaces.
- Hand-eye coordination: To pick up objects with tongs, your child needs to focus and carefully coordinate their hand movements with what they see.
- Problem-solving: Using tongs can be a bit tricky at first. But as your child practices, they’ll learn to adapt their technique and figure out the best way to grasp different objects. This encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are important for their overall development.
- Sensory exploration: Tongs add an extra layer of excitement to sensory activities. Your child can use them to pick up various textures, sizes, and shapes, all while engaging their senses and curiosity
P.S. This fun pig pom pom activity is from my book Recycle and Play!
DIY Craft Stick Tongs – Materials
- Two craft sticks
- 1 clothespin
- hot glue
Watch the video in this post for the how-to
P.S. This fun pig pom pom activity is from my book Recycle and Play!
1. Glue the clothespin tops to the insides of two craft sticks (make sure they are the general same size) and glue to the top third so the bottom of the clothespin can open up. 2. Open up the craft sticks (the clothespin mechanism will open them up) to pick up small objects and loose parts. How to Make Easy DIY Craft Stick Tongs
Materials
Instructions
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Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.