“Where did you get your plastic clothespins?” · Gina
Author TurkeyMom thinks she has seen plastic clothespins at the dollar store, and a quick search showed Amazon and Sears carry them.
The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · September 2012
Ages2–5 yrs
Prep5 min
Activity15 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class
Toddlers clip plastic clothespins around a yogurt container and onto craft sticks for fine motor practice. Then an adult snaps them into simple animals like a dog, butterfly, giraffe and dragonfly. No gluing, cutting or glitter needed.
⚠️ Safety first
- Clothespins pinch. Toddlers often pretend a clothespin is an alligator and snap noses or fingers, so use caution.
- Supervise at all times. Don't leave toddlers alone with clothespins.
- Check clothespins before play. A loose or broken metal spring is a small part that could be a choking hazard.
Before the kids arrive
- Wash and dry an old yogurt container.
- Check that every clothespin snaps shut and the springs are secure.
Steps
Give your child an empty yogurt container and a pile of clothespins.
Clip the clothespins around the edge of the container, naming each color as you go.
Try a very simple pattern by alternating two colors around the edge.
Snap clothespins onto a craft stick. Figure out whether to clip them on straight up or sideways so they hold.
Adult: make a simple dog. Clip clothespins onto a craft stick for two legs, a neck and a head.
Make a butterfly by clipping four clothespins around the middle of a craft stick as wings.
Make a giraffe by clipping two craft sticks together in an L shape. Add clothespins for the legs and the head.
Make a dragonfly by clipping four clothespins near the top of a craft stick as wings.
Let your child play with the animals and ask for new ones.
Tips
- Keep it simple for a toddler with a short attention span. No gluing, cutting, pretty paper, glitter or sparkly stuff.from the author
- Clothespins are pretty hard to get right on a craft stick, especially for a toddler. That's what makes it GREAT fine motor practice.from the author
- Expect some silliness. Ours went off to snap clothespins in her hair and had a 'gigglishy' good time. Who said fine motor practice has to be on an old yogurt container?from the author
- Once she practiced with a few, she started her requests. Be ready to build animals on demand.from the author
- Plastic clothespins turn up at the dollar store, and online shops carry them too.from the author
Make it your own
- Clip clothespins into hair for silly 'hairdos' (gently, and never on noses or fingers).
- Revisit with preschoolers and let them design and build their own clothespin animals.
- Make longer color patterns around the yogurt container for older kids.
Questions readers asked
Where can I get plastic clothespins like these?
The author has seen plastic clothespins at the dollar store, and a quick search showed Amazon and Sears carry them.
What readers say
💬 3 comments ✍️ 1 answered by the author
Answered by the author
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Where to find plastic clothespins
A teacher wanted these colorful clothespins for her classroom. TurkeyMom suggests checking the dollar store, and notes online retailers carry them too.
“I think I have seen plastic clothespins in the dollar store.”
Read all 3 comments
Gina · Sep 2012
Where did you get your clothes pins? I've never seen any like that and would love to get some for my classroom!
TurkeyMomAuthor · Sep 2012 · replying to Gina
I think I have seen plastic clothespins in the dollar store. A quick google search showed me that Amazon and Sears have them.