3 min read
Weaving also introduces children to a craft that’s been used for centuries by many different cultures.
If you're looking for a simple activity for the weekend or a rainy day, I highly recommend this!
Here's 4 weaving activities, each increasing in complexity. You can choose the best one based on your child's age and fine motor skills.
This simple set up is a great introduction to weaving and easy to make. This one fills up quickly, appealing to younger children with shorter attention spans.
Tip: Keep the looms simple to start, with only 5-10 notches and an inch in between each one. You can always add more and make them closer together as your child’s interest in the activity grows.
Tip: Tape the loom to the table if your child grows tired of holding the loom while weaving.
For younger children or when first introducing weaving, you may want to start with the loom taped down. This gives them a chance to focus on the precise movements required to weave, without needing to keep the loom steady too.
Similar to activities 2 or 3 but just on a larger scale, hung on the fence or outdoor wall.
The thread you use will also have to be longer so you could rip up old bed sheets, use other types of fabrics or long ribbon.
Weaving on a larger scale like this involves all the mentioned developmental benefits while adding on gross motor skill development.
If you have a chain-link fence around your yard, they make great outdoor looms too.
A note on safety: DIY Looms are made with very long pieces of string. Please ensure the thread is secure and supervise your child when engaging in this activity. In Canada, safety regulations state that children should not engage with materials (scraps of fabric, strings, etc) longer than 22 cm or a loop exceeding 44 cm around. Check your country’s regulations for more information.
We also have these weaving activities available from The Montessori Room:
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