VALENTINE CRAFTS: MARBLE MAZE VISUAL MOTOR GAME

I’ve been on a crusade to come up with some fun new Valentine crafts to use up the huge ball of red yarn I had left over from the star ornaments we made at Christmas time.

Right as I was falling asleep last night, it came to me!  A cool and easy way for kids to work on fine motor coordination and visual motor integration skills – all with a fun Valentine’s Day twist!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
-Yarn (red/white/pink depending on what color paper you’re using)
-Hot glue gun
-Paper (red/white/pink)
-Heavy cardboard (I cut a piece out of an empty cereal box)
-A marble
-A pencil

WHAT TO DO:
First, you’ll draw out your heart maze shape lightly with your pencil onto your paper (see picture for what it should look like).  Be sure to keep the width between the lines of your maze big enough that your marble will fit in between them.

Then, glue your paper to your piece of heavy cardboard (both cut to the same size).  This will ensure that your maze is sturdy enough.

Starting at the top of your heart, you’ll trace over your lines with your hot glue gun one little section at a time.  Lay the yarn over top of the hot glue so it stays in place.  Continue until you’ve outlined your whole heart maze with yarn.

When you reach the inside of your heart, make a little circle or curved shape with your hot glue gun and yarn at the center of your heart – this will be the place where the marble finishes the maze.

Place a marble just inside the opening at the top of your heart and let little ones try the challenge of gently rocking the heart from side to side to move the marble through the maze!

HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:

-Kids can also trace the maze with their finger or a pencil – the raised course of the maze is great for providing tactile feedback to keep them on track.

-Have kids try tracing the maze with their finger or a pencil…with their eyes closed!  Can they used the raised course to help them finish the maze even if they can’t see it?

-No marble on hand?  No worries.  A small bead works just as well!

SKILL AREAS ADDRESSED: Fine motor skills, visual motor integration, coordination, bilateral coordination, grasping skills

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