FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES: SIMPLE ORIGAMI FLOWERS

My 9 year old LOVES origami and has worked so hard to perfect the tiny folds required to create masterpieces out of paper!   But it’s not as easy as it looks!  She and I thought it would be fun to show everyone at The Inspired Treehouse how to create a few EASY origami flowers for our garden theme.  This is a great way for a child to work on bilateral coordination and fine motor skills while creating something that she can take away and use later!  We’ll give you some ideas of what you can do with these little gems later.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:  Origami paper or other lightweight paper.  Tissue paper may work but will be more fragile.  You may also try a piece of scrapbook paper (not card stock!) cut into a 6 1/2 x 6 1/2” square.

WHAT TO DO:  Watch the video below and follow along!  Encourage your child to use both hands when completing the folds and to press hard when folding the paper.  You can promote finger isolation by asking her to use her index finger to crease the paper.  When the flower is finished, add an adhesive magnet to the back and put it up on the refrigerator for an instant burst of summer color.  String a few together to decorate for a party.  Or, add a stem and use it for a bright bookmark!

HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:
-If your child is too young to do this independently or is frustrated by getting the folds “just right”, make the folds for her and allow her to crease them.
-The lighter the weight of the paper you use, the easier it will be to fold and crease. If your child needs a bit more of a challenge…go ahead and try that cardstock!  These flowers are simple enough that you can use that type of paper with a child who has strong little hands!
-For added fine motor practice, have your child color the flower or add details (maybe a bug on a petal!)

SKILL AREAS ADDRESSED: Fine motor skills, grasp, visual motor integration, cognitive skills

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Looking for more great fine motor activities for kids?  Try these!

• Fine Motor Activities: Feed the Elephant
• Projects for Kids: Personalized Caterpillars
• Fine Motor Heart Art

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Lauren Drobnjak

Lauren Drobnjak is co-author of The Inspired Treehouse blog and a pediatric physical therapist who currently practices in the educational environment. She has been a physical therapist for 18 years, with 17 of those years specifically in pediatrics. Her drive to make a difference in the lives of kids has led her entrepreneurial spirit in the direction of creating opportunities for play-based wellness and child development. She is a busy mama of 3 who thrives on chaos. To come down from the stress, Lauren enjoys exercising like she’s still 20, yoga, chocolate, a great book, browsing Pinterest, and anything crafty!

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