Simple Threading Activities for Toddlers! What is a Threading Activity?

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Threading activities are fantastic fine motor activities for toddlers and preschoolers to do!

After sharing our cereal threading activity the other day, I wanted to find more ways for kids to thread.

Threading activities are fantastic fine motor activities. What is threading even? Find out! Plus, lots of threading activities for toddlers.

I started hunting and hunting for the best threading activities for kids.

And upon searching, I came across many lacing activities, weaving activities and sewing activities… and it made me ask:

What is a threading activity?

I had to look it up!

I searched online and found on Google the following threading definition:

verb: put (beads, chunks of food, or other small objects) together or singly on a thread, chain, or skewer that runs through the center of each one.

In terms of a threading activity to do with kids, that means that the kids would be putting (threading) numerous small objects onto a longer object.

Makes sense I think.

So that’s what I’m including here. Only threading activities where toddlers are putting numerous objects onto a longer object.

Simple Threading Activities to Try With Your Toddler

Letter Bead Bracelet Hands On As We Grow
Pool Noodle Stringing Money Saving Mom
Button Snake Happy Hooligans
Threading Pipe Cleaners Busy Bag Powerful Mothering
Thread Buttons on Pipe Cleaners Mama Miss
Straw Threaded Necklace Hands On As We Grow
Thread Egg Cartons Hands On As We Grow
Fruit Loop Necklace Hands On As We Grow
Threaded Bird Feeder Hands On As We Grow
Twizzlers Threading No Time for Flash Cards
Leaf Threading The Mud Kitchen
Threading with Crazy Straws Powerful Mothering
Pasta Threading Teaching 2 & 3 Year Olds
Feather Beading Sugar Aunts
Cardboard Bead Threading The Imagination Tree
Threading with Practice Golf Balls Paging Fun Mums
Threading Cheerios Hands On As We Grow
Beading a Rainbow I Can Teach my Child
Bead Mazes Teach Preschool

How do I teach my toddler threading?

Threading comes pretty naturally to toddlers and preschoolers. Show them once and they will want to try!

Don’t overcomplicate it.

However, there are a few tricks to making it succsesful from the start.

Start with larger items to work with first. Like pool noodles, cut toilet paper rolls, and even o shaped cereals.
Go with stiffer thread items instead of string for the first few times. Items like straws, spaghetti, pipe cleaners, or stiffer cords.
When you move onto string make sure the end is either taped down to a surface or has something tied to the end to prevent everything from falling right off.
Another tip to help toddlers have success with threading activities using strong or yarn is to be sure you can do it with your non-dominant hand! If its hard for you, then it will be frustrating for them.
Add a plastic needle, or tape around the threading tip so it won’t fray.

Check out these super simple stacking toy style threading activities to start early!