Kids love dot-to-dots and they will adore this GIANT dot-to-dot! A giant dot-to-dot combines fine motor and gross motor skills in one fun activity. It's a great idea for those days when kids are stuck inside because when kids get their whole body involved in the activity, they focus better and may even stop bouncing off the walls for a little while!
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Combine this giant connect the dot activity with this giant comic strip activity and your kids will have the best afternoon, ever.
How to Make a Giant Dot to Dot
A giant dot-to-dot is very easy to make.
Materials:
Roll of butcher paper. If you have a roll of easel paper, that works, too.
Markers. I like washable markers in case kids start scribbling on the floor!
Painter's tape. Optional.
Instructions:
Place a large piece of the butcher paper on the floor. If you have some blue painter's tape, use it to affix the paper to the floor. This will keep the paper from moving around while your kid crawls all over it.
Draw large dots all over the paper. I used a random pattern, but if you wish, arrange the dots to reveal a picture when connected, as in a traditional dot-to-dot worksheet.
Number the dots. Alternatively, try one of the giant dot-to-dot variations, listed below.
Instruct child to connect the dots using the washable marker.
See how he needs to stretch, reach and move! An occupational therapist informed me that working large groups of muscles is important for developing the small motor skills, and that kids with fine motor delays should not limit their therapy exercises to just fine motor skill practice.
Plus, I love how the giant dot-to-dot sneaks in a bit of counting practice, too!
Variations
Add color recognition practice. For our particular dot-to-dot, I used several colors, so it was easier for him to locate sequential numbers: 1-5 were blue, 6-10 were green and so forth.
Include letter recognition practice. Label the dots with letters of the alphabet. A child can then connect them in alphabetical order.
Add spelling practice. Hide words in the letter-labeled dots. Perhaps label the dots with the child's name and have them connect the dots in order.
Allow full creativity. Leave dots unlabeled. Allow the child to connect the dots however they wish!
For toddlers sitting at a table, try this toddler connect the dot activity. (Can also be done on the floor.)
My son enjoyed this activity so much he wanted to do it again, but I didn't even need to make a new, giant dot-to-dot, he simply chose a different colored pen. (Yay! Less work for me!)
Math + fine motor + gross motor = a giant dot-to-dot!
Jenny says
I love that idea- Carly would too, I know! What do you use for paper?
MomandKiddo says
I bought a large roll of butcher paper at Discount School Supplies. It's lasted me several years. You can get through amazon, too, I think.
maryanne @ mama smiles says
Brilliant idea! Definitely trying this with my kids!
MomandKiddo says
I hope you take photos and share! 🙂
katepickle says
Such a clever yet simple idea! So awesome!!!
PragmaticMom says
I love this! Math and gross motor and pure fun!!! You are a genius!
MomandKiddo says
Make sure you tell my kids that! hahahaha
Valerie says
What a fabulous idea! I absolutely must try this. A great combination of fine and gross motor. I love that it's a big scale. Makes dot-to-dot different. Thanks for sharing.
MomandKiddo says
Even my older son like to do it!
Jessica @ Play Trains! says
What a fun idea! Pinning this to try with my son.
MomandKiddo says
Maybe he can connect the dots with trains!
E.S. Ivy says
What a cute and easy idea! Kids really like things that are oversized; my kids enjoy drawing things on giant pieces of paper.
Erica says
Yes, he likes the change from just sitting at the table.
Rebecca says
What a brilliant activity - I love it!
Thanks for sharing on The Sunday Showcase. I've pinned to our board.
Erica says
Thanks, Rebecca!
Jo and Lilly from BIG kids mag says
We love this BIG time 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you!