Comments on: Button Snake – a Homemade Toy to Develop Fine Motor Skills

By: Tanzil

Tanzil — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 14:09:56 +0000

Awesome trip to teach buttoning, Thank you very much indeed.

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 11:20:13 +0000

In reply to Cecilka. Wonderful! So glad you were inspired by my post! I hope they love them!

By: Cecilka

Cecilka — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:38:49 +0000

Thanks for the lovely tutorial. I just made 2 snakes tonight for my 2 years old twins. I’ll give them the snakes tomorrow, I hope they’ll like it.

By: Elsabe

Elsabe — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:10:59 +0000

I love this so much… Definitely going on my to do list! Thanks for sharing

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 19:07:37 +0000

In reply to Aimee. I think it would work, Aimee. You might have to re-glue from time to time though. It's super-easy to sew it by hand though. Just thread a needle, knot your thread at the end, and go in and out of the button holes, securing the button to the ribbon. There's really no right or wrong way to do it because it's just a toy. If you were putting the button on a shirt, you'd want to look nice and neat, but no worries with this. :)

By: Aimee

Aimee — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 17:15:36 +0000

Would this work if I hot glue the button rather than sew it? I don’t have a lot of experience sewing.

By: Monique

Monique — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:35:46 +0000

I love this idea! I am an Early Childhood Education student and I have to bring different resources to my field placements. I am going to definitely give this a try. I love the suggestion of using this to match up colours or shapes – i.e. have the children put all of the circles on one snake and the squares on another or put all of the blue pieces on one snake.

Thanks for the idea!

By: Vivienne

Vivienne — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 09:05:53 +0000

Thank you for this. I made one for my almost-2 year old, and she loved it. Since playing with it, she has been finding buttons everywhere (on her pjs, her dad’s shirt, etc).

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 23:37:42 +0000

In reply to Cathy Stine.

Hi Cathy! You should drop Dayna from Lemon Lime Adventures a line. She has a son with sensory processing disorder, and she blogs all about tools and materials for people with sensory needs. I’ll bet she’d have some ideas. Here’s her blog, and she has a facebook page too. You could always msg her through her facebook page: http://lemonlimeadventures.com

By: Cathy Stine

Cathy Stine — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 16:43:11 +0000

I would love some help thinking of ideas to put on a figit/fiddle blanket for both those with Alzheimer’s or for my grandson who has Autism. The blankets and any attachments need to be machine washable. I would like to make several so low cost or handmade additions would be best. Sure having a hard time thinking of ideas and not much on the Internet.
Thanks much!
Cathy

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:34:22 +0000

I’ve seen this done using a pipe cleaner instead of a ribbon as the thread and it worked great, too.

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 03:19:22 +0000

In reply to Sharon. I imagine they'd wash well, Sharon, and fleece would likely work too because it wouldn't fray, but the squares would be floppier/not as stiff as felt.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 00:45:07 +0000

This is a great idea! Can’t wait to add it to the Early Childhood rooms at church and for my grandson. Wondering if you can wash these and if anyone has tried it with fleece material?

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 09:55:15 +0000

This will be perfect for our 8-hour flight next month! Thanks

By: Nancy Garbish

Nancy Garbish — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 00:41:34 +0000

I’ve made fine motor skill boards with buttons on it but the snake is an awesome idea. Not only will they get to practice buttoning, it can also turn into a nice toy for them to take home.

By: Angela G.

Angela G. — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 19:14:09 +0000

I am a Therapy Director and was looking for a easy activity that could be used during occupational therapy sessions. Because April is OT Appreciation Month, I made 11 button snakes to give to my OT staff! I can’t wait to pass them out, I know they will be just as excited about them as I was! Thanks for the great idea 🙂

By: Sue

Sue — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 21:22:57 +0000

I just made this for the children’s museum that I volunteer for. I can’t wait to see the kids try it! What a fantastic idea.

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:43:11 +0000

In reply to Gaye Dorkin. Great thinking using buttons of different shapes and sizes, Gaye! And I don't know why I didn't think to put a button on each end! Brilliant! I'd love to see pictures! Can you upload them to my facebook page?

By: Gaye Dorkin

Gaye Dorkin — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:26:51 +0000

I loved this so much and made a few button snakes for my daughter who is a pre-school teacher. I put a button at each end of the ribbon instead of tying a knot in the piece of felt. One snake has huge buttons and the other has much smaller buttons – one end has a square button and the other a round one- just to see if the shape will make a difference to how the children grip the button. Cant wait for her to use them in class this week. Would love to send a picture so you can see your ‘inspiration in the flesh(felt!).

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 18:34:42 +0000

This is such a fun way to learn to do buttons.

I have featured this on The Sunday Showcase: http://www.herecomethegirlsblog.com/2014/02/23/prepare-for-school.html

By: Lana

Lana — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 06:06:41 +0000

Can’t wait to try it with my 19-month old. I think he’s gonna love it. Thanks 🙂

By: Michelle B.

Michelle B. — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 17:46:13 +0000

I am soooo making this for our Montessori school. Our primary teachers will love this and so will my toddlers!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 04:48:12 +0000

In reply to Megan Osmond. You're welcome, Megan! Glad they enjoyed it!

By: Megan Osmond

Megan Osmond — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 04:11:56 +0000

Did this one today with children aged from 2 – 5 they loved it thanks for all the ideas

By: Alma

Alma — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 19:59:44 +0000

I love it!! We are going to Disneyland in two weeks and I was looking for waiting activities for my 2 year old. I can fit this in a small ziplock and stash it in my backpack.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 13:23:50 +0000

This is a great activity! My 2 year old loved it! I wrote about it on my blog at http://aztoid.blogspot.com/2013/10/tot-school-learning-our-colors-rainbow.html

By: Carrie @ Crafty Moms Share

Carrie @ Crafty Moms Share — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 23:06:20 +0000

What a wonderful activity! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 15:52:01 +0000

This is an interesting take on tactile learning. This is a fun and cute resource. Thank you for sharing it. Thank you for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop 🙂

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 15:38:34 +0000

What a fun quiet activity! I can’t wait to make one to carry in our “going out ” bag. My daughter is legally blind and has Down syndrome so I will make it using a large button and contrasting felt. ( I might even use a permanent marker to draw a line before I cut to out line the button opening )

By: LeAnn B

LeAnn B — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 10:42:23 +0000

I made 4 of them for my preschool class. They love them! 🙂

we have used them not only to strengthen their fine motor skills, but also for color identification, sorting and patterning

By: Carla

Carla — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 14:00:58 +0000

I love button snakes, and your pictures are wonderful! I’m pinning!

By: Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy

Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 06:52:06 +0000

I am so excited because 1. I love this idea and 2. I have all of the materials! Guess what I’m going to be making tonight!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 01:44:01 +0000

In reply to Anu Ganesh. Glad you liked it, Anu!

By: Anu Ganesh

Anu Ganesh — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:37:46 +0000

Awesome! Will try this with my 3 year old. Thanks for sharing 🙂

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:58:37 +0000

I still poke my tounge out like that when threading something-lovely idea!!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 02:42:40 +0000

In reply to Arlene Hand. Perrrrfect! Have fun, Arlene!

By: Arlene Hand

Arlene Hand — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 02:35:10 +0000

This is such a great idea and easy to do!!! And I have LOTS of felt. Thank you!!!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:14:45 +0000

In reply to mavismariearie B. Wonderful, Mavis! They'll love it! You'll love making it too! They're so pretty!

By: mavismariearie B

mavismariearie B — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:34:59 +0000

I love it! I am going to make one for my 3 yr old great niece & 1 1/2 yr old great nephew ( or maybe 2!) Inexpensive, educational & fun!

By: Kristen B

Kristen B — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:24:37 +0000

I will definitely be making a button snake for my 2.5 year old. He loves that kind of thing. Pinned it.

I really need to buy a new camera. That ones looks great.

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:47:48 +0000

In reply to tereza crump aka mytreasuredcreations. Thank you Tereza! What a lovely comment to wake up to! I find anything bright and colourful so refreshing these days after the loooong, grey winter we've had!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:34:48 +0000

In reply to Erin- The Usual Mayhem. Hey, Erin, That price would be for a used one, I believe. I bought mine on sale through Amazon for 400-something though, which was really good. It was totally worth every penny. It seriously is my pride 'n joy. lol

By: Erin- The Usual Mayhem

Erin- The Usual Mayhem — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:56:10 +0000

Wow, that’s a great price for a DSLR! The cheapest I’ve seen here was more than $500. I may just have to add another camera to my collection.

The buttons snake is a really cute idea. I haven’t packed all my felt and sewing supplies yet – I may just have to make one of these for the travel time coming soon.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:56:23 +0000

oh! that’s a fun one – can’t wait to try it. As always, thanks for the great suggestion!

By: tereza crump aka mytreasuredcreations

tereza crump aka mytreasuredcreations — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:33:53 +0000

YOur photos are always awesome. I love the bright colors.

As for the button snake, what a fantastic idea! I will definitely make one for my 3 y.o. And I know the 5 y.o. will want to play with it too and the 7 and the 10 y.o.!1 hahahaha 🙂