Hamper Toy Web: A Fun and Engaging Fine Motor Activity for Kids

Making Play Simple, Engaging, and Stress-Free

If you’ve been on the hunt for an easy, no-prep activity that keeps your kids entertained (and off your couch cushions), you’re in the right place. Welcome to another installment of the Random Household Objects Series, where we take everyday items and turn them into engaging kids’ activities. Today’s star? The humble laundry basket. This is Activity #6: Hamper Toy Web.

Why This Activity Works (Aka: Why You’ll Want to Set This Up Again and Again)

1. Encourages Fine Motor Skills: The hamper toy web is a fantastic fine motor activity because it requires little hands to work hard. As kids maneuver their fingers through the gaps in the string, they build dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and grip strength—all essential for future skills like writing, buttoning clothes, and (one day) tying shoes.
2. Boosts Problem-Solving Skills: The web isn’t just an obstacle—it’s a puzzle. Your child will have to figure out the best way to retrieve each toy without getting tangled. Should they use one hand or both? Go under or over? It’s an easy way to foster critical thinking while they play.
3. Provides Independent Playtime: Want a few minutes to sip your coffee while it’s still hot? This activity is your friend. Once kids get the hang of it, they’ll stay engaged for a surprising amount of time, trying to free their favorite toys from the stringy maze.
4. Uses Items You Already Have: No fancy supplies, no extra shopping trip. Just grab a hamper, some string, and a pile of toys, and you’re good to go. This is exactly why I love activities using a hamper—so much play potential in one everyday item.

How to Set Up the Hamper Toy Web (In Under 5 Minutes)

Ready to get started? Here’s the quick setup:

What You Need:

• A laundry hamper with holes on the sides
• String, yarn, or ribbon
• Small toys (think action figures, cars, dolls, or blocks)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill the hamper with small toys. Variety makes it more fun—mix up textures, shapes, and sizes.
2. Thread the string back and forth through the holes in the hamper to create a web. Weave it in different directions so the openings vary in size.
3. Secure the ends of the string by tying them to the hamper or taping them down.
4. Challenge your child to reach in and grab their toys. They’ll have to figure out how to get their hands (and the toys) through the web without getting stuck.

Bonus tip: For an extra challenge, have your child use tongs or a spoon to retrieve the toys instead of their hands. It adds another level of fine motor practice!

How to Adapt This Activity for Different Ages

One of the best parts about the hamper toy web is how easy it is to adjust based on your child’s age and skill level.

For Toddlers (Ages 1-2)

• Use thick ribbon instead of thin string so it’s easier to navigate.
• Keep the web loose with large openings for easier access.
• Choose larger toys that are simple to grab.

For Preschoolers (Ages 3-4)

• Tighten the web and add more crisscrossing lines to make it trickier.
• Include smaller toys to require more precision.
• Introduce a time challenge: “Can you rescue all the toys before I count to 10?”

For Older Kids (Ages 5+)

• Use a blindfold for a sensory twist—let them feel around for toys without seeing them.
• Add a storytelling element: “The toys are trapped in a spider’s web! Can you save them before the spider returns?”
• Have them help create the web for younger siblings, encouraging teamwork and creativity.

More Ways to Play with a Hamper

If your kids love this activity (which, spoiler alert, they will), you might want to try more activities with random household objects. A laundry hamper is surprisingly versatile—here are a few other ways to use it for play:

1. Hamper Basketball Hoop – Tape a cardboard backboard to a large hamper and let your kids practice their gross motor skills by shooting balls inside.
2. Hamper Pom Pom Push – Flip a basket upside down and have kids push pom-poms through the side holes for an easy fine motor activity.
3. Hamper Noodle Number Ordering – Cut pool noodles into rings, label them with numbers, and let kids arrange them in order around the rim of the hamper. Great for number recognition and math activities.
4. Hamper Ribbon Threading – Tie a long piece of ribbon to the side of the basket and let kids weave it through the holes for another fun threading activity.

Each of these activities transforms a simple laundry hamper into an exciting learning experience—no complicated materials required.

Want More Fun Hamper Activities? Check Out These!

1. Hamper Ball Color Sort: Practice sorting and matching colorful balls into the right hamper for a colorful learning experience!
2. Hamper Basketball Hoop: Shoot soft balls into the hamper to work on hand-eye coordination and fun competition!
3. Hamper Pom-Pom Push: Push colorful pom-poms into the hamper to practice fine motor skills in a playful way!
4. Hamper Noodle Number Ordering: Use pool noodles to practice counting and number ordering while having a blast!
5. Hamper Ribbon Threading: Thread ribbons through the hamper’s openings to boost fine motor skills and creativity!

Want even more ideas? Be sure to check out the first part of this series with 5 creative activities using plastic spoons!

Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Keep It Fun

The hamper toy web is proof that you don’t need expensive toys or elaborate setups to create engaging, skill-building play for your kids. With just a few minutes and a laundry basket, you can provide an activity at home that strengthens fine motor skills, encourages problem-solving, and (best of all) keeps little hands busy.

So next time you’re looking for an easy win, grab a hamper, some string, and a pile of toys—and let the web-spinning begin!

Laundry Basket

String