5 Ways to use Push Pins (drawing pins) for learning!

Poke poke poke.

Kids love making holes! Here is a legitimate way that they can make holes and learn at the same time.... by using "push pins" (or drawing pins, depending on where you are in the world). 

If you have been following me here at Your Kids OT for a while, you will know that I love incorporating push pin activities into therapy session for SO many reasons.  From the development of fine motor skillls, hand strength, building eye/ hand coordination to providing sensory feedback to the hand whilst learning. The fingers are provided with "'heavy work" and lots of proprioceptive information is fed back to the fingers and hands during these activities. Children are so engaged with push pin activities and they often "work hard" even when they are beginning to fatigue.  Read more about the reasons for using push pins HERE. 

All push pin activities should be supervised closely.  These activities are not suitable for those who are mouthing objects and unable to follow instructions. Recommended age for use of push pins is 4 years and older. 

Here are 5 ways to incorporate push pins to learning!

1. Push Pins and Lacing Cards
​Use a cork mat and lay a "lacing/threading" card on top. These cards already have holes in them, normally use to weave laces in and out for preschool age children.  Preschool age children enjoy the novelty of placing push pins into the holes of these cards. 

If you don't have lacing cards, use cardboard and a hole punch to create your own pictures. 

2. Push Pins and Playdough Crossing the Midline

Create two playdough rings.  Use push pins (I have flower ones) that are planted into playdough rings when I call out left or right.  This encourages children to work on crossing the midline, left and right discrimination. 

These skills are important especially for those who those who shuffle along their chair when they write or make adjustments to avoid crossing the midline. Read more about crossing the midline and bilateral coordination HERE.

3. Push Pins and Playdough Letter Formation

Create letters using playdough.  Use a push pin to make holes in the playdough letter.  Make sure you start in the correct position and move in the correct direction for writing the letter.  You can work on lowercase letters, capital letters, shapes, numbers, a child's name or even words. 
 

4. Push Pins with Paper: Pictures and Letters

​This activity moves a child from object-based learning to paper activities.  It links physical hands-on learning with what is going on in printed form.  You will need the printables from the YKOT to either create a picture or letter.

We use a cork mat, laying down coloured paper and the chosen printable page.  We can focus on one letter and picture; using this as a writing prompt to write a sentence.  Children love to hold up their final picture to the light and see it coming through the holes. 

For younger children, I use the picture printable to create a drawing. 

For some children, I use the face emotion pictures and link this with social emotional learning.

Find the printables ...
* Alphabet Dot Pictures
* Push Pin Poke Drawing Templates

These printables are also available at the YKOT Teachers Pay Teachers Store ($US).

5. Push Pin, Die and Numbers!

Numbers, maths and a "die" go hand in hand.  We add a push pin to make this a very hands on learning experience. I use an old game insert with square hole to draw small square shapes. You could also just draw some squares. 
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We can work on:-
* number identification - roll the die and make holes to match
* writing numbers - roll the die, make holes and write the number
* before and after numbers - roll the die, make holes, then write the number before and the number after
* addition and subraction - roll the die to find numbers to add or subtract, make holes to work out the answer

 Watch these Push Pin Activities on the You-Tube Video.

What is your favourite "push pin" activity and which one will you try out? 

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a contributing author of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
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