This rubber band character rescue was a HIT with my kids. It kept them busy and having fun while fine tuning their fine motor skills. Some days, keeping them productively busy is hard to do when they just want to watch YouTube and Netflix or play video games.
I admit, my kids get a little too much screen time. I try to balance it out with activities that work their hands and minds at the same time. As a busy mom, that’s sometimes difficult when so many activities take just as much time preparing or cleaning up as your kids will spend doing the actual activity. Because of that, I’m always trying to find new ideas that don’t require much preparation, clean-up, or supplies.
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This easy fine motor activity was perfect because:
- It required less than 5 minutes of preparation.
- I was able to pick random toys that we already had and that I didn’t have to search for. You can literally use ANYTHING.
- My kids loved it.
- They spent quite a bit of time taking rubber bands off (rescuing) and putting them back on (re-trapping).
- They spent time sharing toys and trading fairly.
- Helped develop fine motor skills.
- This can be done anytime and anywhere. If you throw a pack of rubber bands in your diaper bag or purse you can always count it. I bought *these* rubber bands (click for link) because the rubber bands are sturdy, stretchy, and affordable).
Fine Motor Rubber Band Character Rescue
Choose their favorite characters, or do a variety of different characters. I chose PJ Masks characters, a Paw Patrol, and a dinosaur… mostly because those toys were some of the first ones I found, but also because my kids love those ones and play with them daily.
This activity is so easy. You can just grab a couple characters that your child loves and throw some rubber bands on them. Be creative and add more fun by using multiple colors of rubber bands and wrapping the rubber bands different ways.
Your child will then get to rescue their favorite character from the rubber bands while fine tuning their fine motor skills.
Take Activity a Step Further
Once your child has rescued their character from the rubber bands, challenge them to wrap the characters back up in the rubber bands.
My kids were excited when I told them that they had to tie the character back up so that we could see if I could rescue them, too.
Final Thoughts On Rubber Band Character Rescue – An Easy Fine Motor Activity
I love doing fun developmental activities with my kids, but life gets so busy that it’s hard finding the time. It took me too long to figure out that fun stuff doesn’t have to require tons of prep or clean-up. A quick bit of time after work/school can make for just as much fun as the more complicated activities.
Since trying out different easy fine motor activities, this rubber band character rescue has become a favorite for my family. From “trapping” spider man to PJ Masks toys, we spend time rescuing pretty much everything.
**What character would your kids love to rescue?! Tell me about it in the comments! **
My kids love this one and ask to do it all the time. It’s become my go-to activity in the car, in restaurants, and during any other “boring” wait times. Give it a shot and tell me how it goes for your child!
Do you have a favorite easy activity for kids that you like to do when you don’t have much time? Let us know!
