How to Use Pretend Play Tool Sets for Fine Motor Skills

Quick answer

Use pretend play tool sets like the Stanley Jr. Pretend Play Toolbox Set to strengthen fine motor skills through gripping, twisting, and hammering actions that mimic real carpentry.

Step-by-step fine motor activities with pretend tool sets

1. Hammer the blocks: Place the wooden blocks from the Stanley Jr. toolbox on a flat surface and have your child hammer them together. Encourage them to hold the hammer near the handle end and swing with controlled force. Common mistake: children grip the hammer head instead of the handle. Show them how to choke up on the handle for better control.
2. Screw and unscrew the bolts: Give your child the screwdriver and the included washers, screws, and blocks. Ask them to twist the screwdriver clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen. This rotating wrist motion builds the same muscles used for turning doorknobs and opening jars. Checkpoint: if the screwdriver slips, hold the block steady with your other hand so your child can focus on the twisting motion.
3. Squeeze the pliers and wrench: Have your child use the pliers to pick up small washers or the wrench to grip a screw head. Squeezing the handles together requires finger coordination and strength. Start with larger items and progress to smaller ones. Common mistake: children may use both hands to squeeze. Encourage one-handed use once they get the hang of it.
4. Trigger practice with the power drill: Let your child hold the Stanley Jr. Pretend Play Power Drill and pull the trigger to hear the sound. Ask them to hold it steady while pretending to drill into a cardboard box or foam block. The trigger pull isolates the index finger, which is essential for pencil grip. Checkpoint: if your child struggles to pull the trigger, try a lighter squeeze toy first to build finger strength.
5. Sawing motion with the pretend chainsaw: Demonstrate a back-and-forth sawing motion with the Stanley Jr. Pretend Play Chainsaw. Have your child hold the chainsaw with both hands and move it forward and backward along a piece of cardboard. This bilateral coordination activity strengthens both arms and the core. Common mistake: children may only move their arms instead of their whole body. Encourage them to shift their weight from foot to foot as they saw.

Product facts

• Stanley(R) Jr. Pretend Play Toolbox Set: Includes open toolbox, hammer, hand saw, plier, wrench, washers, screws, screwdriver, blocks, and nails for ages 3 and up. Each tool demands a different hand movement — twisting, squeezing, or pounding — giving children varied fine motor practice in one set.

  

• Stanley(R) Jr. Pretend Play Chainsaw: Features realistic sounds and actions; has a detachable battery for pretend cutting motions. Pulling the trigger and holding the chainsaw steady builds finger strength and hand-eye coordination while the sound feedback keeps children engaged.

  

• Stanley(R) Jr. Pretend Play Power Drill: Pull the trigger to make realistic sounds and movements for drilling holes and removing nails. The trigger action isolates the index finger, which strengthens the same muscles used for pencil grip and scissor control.