N is for Nails Montessori Sensory Work Ideas

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I am very excited to have Marie sharing some great nail Montessori sensory work ideas with you all as part of the A-Z's of Sensory Play for Kids series. These ideas are great for proprioception activities, which are one of the senses we use every day!

I picked N is for Nails for my submission to this great series! Today I want to share with you some fun Montessori works you can put together for your child using nails. Nails, screws, and pushpins are inherently dangerous, so please be sure to supervise your child as he/she works through these very rewarding Montessori works.

Nail Montessori sensory work ideas for kids. www.GoldenReflectionsBlog.com

Nails In Wood

Nail montessori sensory work ideas. www.GoldenReflectionsBlog.com


Materials Needed:

  • piece of hardwood
  • hammer
  • nails
  • safety glasses

This work can be set up with any piece of hardwood you may have around your home. We live on several acres, so finding a piece of wood is pretty easy. Be sure the piece of wood will not topple over easily.

Nail montessori work ideas that double perfectly as proprioception sensory play. www.GoldenReflectionsBlog.com

It is difficult to watch your child struggle to get the nail started in the wood, but the excitement on their face when they do it by themselves is priceless. You may need to start the nail for younger children.

Sorting Nails

Sorting screws and pushpins is a great sensory work for your child. Find more on Golden Reflections Blog

Materials Needed:

  • variety of nails, screws, pushpins, etc.
  • sorting containers

This is a fun practical life activity that can VERY helpful. I went to our toolbox and grabbed a handful of random screws and used some of our push pins. I put them all in a large bowl and then ask my kids to sort them by their category: screws or push pins. After this activity, we had an organized toolbox and satisfied children!

Push Pin Counting

Counting push pins is a fun way to help learn more about nails on Golden Reflections Blog

Materials Needed:

  • push pins
  • corkboard
  • holding container
  • movable numbers

Beginning counting has been Avalyn's (2) main work recently, so adding this to our day was an easy choice. She really enjoyed doing this and practiced for a long time to get it all right.

Push pin adding as an add on activity to N is for Nails on Golden Reflections Blog

A great way to make this a little harder for your preschooler is to add in some number equations!

Nail Montessori Works Resources

Building and Blocks Activities on Living Montessori Now

DIY Activity Board on Counting Coconuts

Gold Tees and a Hammer on Sugar Aunts

Hammering Nails on How to Run a Home Daycare


About Marie: Marie is a work-at-home mother of two. She is also a contributor to Confessions of a Montessori Mom blog. After much self-study and with a background in education, she chose to follow her own children in their education. She would love to hear from you on Facebook and Pinterest.

A-Z's of Sensory Play Ideas for Kids Series. www.GoldenReflectionsBlog.com

Heather Greutman, COTA

Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based OT services for preschool through high school. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies for parents, educators, and therapists. She is the author of many ebooks including The Basics of Fine Motor Skills, and Basics of Pre-Writing Skills, and co-author of Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for including my post on Hammering Nails 🙂
    I love how you were able to incorporate other subjects into something as straightforward as hammering.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER: Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
All information on the Website is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice from a physician or your pediatrician. Please consult with a medical professional if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child. The information on the Websites does not replace the relationship between therapist and client in a one-on-one treatment session with an individualized treatment plan based on their professional evaluation. The information provided on the Website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.

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All activities outlined on the Website are designed for completion with adult supervision. Please use your own judgment with your child and do not provide objects that could pose a choking hazard to young children. Never leave a child unattended during these activities. Please be aware of and follow all age recommendations on all products used in these activities. Growing Hands-On Kids is not liable for any injury when replicating any of the activities found on this blog.

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