top of page
  • Black Instagram Icon
  • Black Pinterest Icon

Easy Fine Motor Activity for Toddlers: Pasta & Pipe Cleaner

  • Writer: Farmhouse in the Field
    Farmhouse in the Field
  • May 7
  • 1 min read

If you’ve got a toddler who loves to keep their hands busy, this easy fine motor activity is a must-try! It uses two things you probably already have at home: dried pasta and pipe cleaners. That’s it! It’s low-mess, totally screen-free, and great for working those little hand muscles.


Bonus: It buys you at least 10 minutes of quiet time (maybe even enough for hot coffee).


What You’ll Need:

  • A handful of uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni works best)

  • A few colorful pipe cleaners

  • Optional: a colander or strainer for added fun


How to Set It Up:

  1. Grab your supplies:

    Set out a small bowl of pasta and a few pipe cleaners. You don’t need anything fancy—this is all about keeping it simple.

  2. Show how it’s done:

    Demonstrate sliding a pasta piece onto a pipe cleaner. Then hand it over to your toddler and let them go to town!

  3. Encourage play:

    You’ll be surprised how focused little ones get with this! It’s a fun challenge that strengthens hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. You can also twist the pipe cleaners into shapes or thread them through a colander for more variety.



Tips & Variations:

  • Use different pasta shapes or sizes to keep things interesting.

  • Add color matching by using dyed pasta or colored pipe cleaners.

  • Store everything in a zip-top bag so it’s ready for next time!


Why We Love It:

It’s affordable, mess-free, and great for development. Plus, it travels well—just toss the pieces into a small container and take it on the go.


I posted a full video on my TikTok for how we made pasta pipe cleaners!

Comments


farmhouseinthefield.com

bottom of page