The Best Kids hole Punch to Use for Preschool Activities

473 Shares

Hole punches are very exciting and motivating tools that help kids build hand strength and fine motor skills. I often share ideas for hole punch activities, so parents and preschool teachers often ask me which hole punch is best for kids.

The best kids hole punch for fine motor activities

Many different paper punches are available on Amazon, but it’s challenging to know which one is best for your fine motor activities. Here’s a comparison of the best kids hole punches that I’ve found.

This article about the best kids hole punch contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. There is no additional cost to you when you purchase something from the link, but I receive a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of the links.

The Old-School Metal Hole Punch

This classic metal hole punch is suitable for activities. If you have a limited budget to buy supplies for your kids, you will find that they are relatively inexpensive and durable.

I like this hole punch because it’s pretty easy to see where it will punch a hole. That means it works great for activities like a hole punch strip, where kids punch on a printed circle or a punch card where kids need to punch in a small area.

The bad thing about this type of hole punch is, just like those old-school scissors I used as a kid, they aren’t very comfortable and usually require some force.

The Cushion-Grip Hole Punch

This cushion-grip model is in my opinion, the best kids hole punch. It is the hole puncher that I always recommend.

The best thing about this puncher is its cushion grip, making it comfortable. In addition, I believe that it is a little easier to operate than the old-school metal punch.

This hole punch also delivers on the visibility factor. Kids can see where it’s going to punch and, therefore, aim it to punch holes in the printed circles on hole punch printables, a hole punch task card, or a hole punch strip.

cushioned grip hoe punch shown with an apple themed fine motor hole punch task card activity.

Reduced Effort One-Hole Punch

This hole punch has a lot going for it. It’s pretty comfortable to use and has a reduced-effort design so that you don’t have to squeeze as hard to get the punch to go through. 

It easily punches through a paper plate, construction paper, etc. The problem that I have with this hole punch is that you can’t see where it will punch.

It can be an excellent tool for kids who are just learning how to use a hole punch in general, but it’s best for random punches in paper.

This type of hole punch will not work well for printable hole punch activities.

Lever Hole Punch

This hole punch sits on a table. To operate, kids push down on the lever to create the hole in the paper. Once again, with this type of punch, kids cannot see exactly where the hole will go. While these punches may be great as an adaptive tool for kids who struggle with a traditional hole punch, I don’t think it is the best tool to use for printable activities or to build hand strength.

Handheld Shape Punch

Do you want to add a little pizazz to your hole punch activities or craft projects? This two-pack of paper punches includes a star shape and a heart shape.

They are great for Valentine’s Day activities, Christmas-themed activities and crafts, and even all-year fun. These punches have a nice, soft handle. They are, however, a bit larger than the cushion-grip punches above, so they are a little more difficult for small hands to squeeze.

Craft Punches

If your kids enjoy using hole punches, you might consider these fun kids hole craft punches to punch various shapes into paper.

You will find various shapes for crafting, including a star, a flower, a hand, a leaf, and a flower. They are best used with thicker paper like cardstock because they don’t create a hole very easily.

They are great for craft projects like greeting cards. Pull out your scrap paper and your kids will love making open-end paper crats with these.

Hole Punch Activity Ideas for Your Kids

I hope you find this information helpful in deciding the best kids hole punch for your situation and your preschool activities. Now that you are all set with the perfect kids hole punch, I bet you’re looking for fun and engaging hole punching activity ideas. Check out these fun activities from Early Learning Ideas.

Hole Punch Activities for The Whole Year

From strips of dots, hole punch and cut strips, and printables for task boxes, you will find a variety of hole punch activities for the whole year for your preschoolers.

back to school hole punch and cut activity strips for kids

Printable Alphabet Hole Punch Activities

Use these alphabet hole punch printables to help your kids learn letters and sounds in a fun multi-sensory way.

https://shop.earlylearningideas.com/products/alphabet-hole-punch-activity-fine-motor-letter-activities

Printable Fine Motor Crafts For Kids

In addition to hole punching, these printable fine motor crafts give your kids an opportunity to work on scissor skills and even pre-writing practice. Be sure to check out all the available themes. I know that you will find some extremely motivating activities for your kiddos.

dinosaur hole punch craft is an example of printable fine motor crafts and activities for kids

From the Store – Activities for Your Hole Punch

Are you ready to put that paper puncher to use? Try out these fun hole punching activities for kids in the store.

hole punch and cut activities
fine motor hole punch and color task card activity bundle

Purchase The Hole Punch Printables on TPT

Do you prefer to shop on Teacher Pay Teachers? You can also check out my hole punch products on TPT.

Purchase Fine Motor Craft Activities in the Store

There are many benefits of crafts for preschoolers. One of the biggest benefits of crafts is that they can provide motivating opportunities for working on developing fine motor skills. These printable crafts were designed to also serve as fine motor activities, and of course, they have opportunities for hole punching.

Click on the picture below to check them out.

spring flowers fine motor crafts
Earth Day Fine Motor Crafts by Early Learning Ideas
St. Patricks Day Fine Motor Crafts for Kids
Easter Fine Motor Crafts
Insects Crafts and Fine Motor Activities
pond animal fine motor and hole punch craft for kids
spring fine motor and hole punch crafts for kids
space fine motor craft activities
printable 
dinosaur crafts and fine motor activities

Purchase Fine Motor Craft Activities on TPT

Do you prefer to shop on TPT? You can also purchase the craft printables in my TPT store.

More Articles About Hole Punch Activities

Hole punch letter activities for kids in preschool and kindergarten. A letter J, letter M, letter L, and letter C activity are in the image with a hole punch.
hole punch activities to build hand strength
hand strengthening activities for preschoolers
printable fine motor crafts for kids in preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten.
hole punch printables for kids. The images include an alphabet hole punch activity, a pirntable ocean theme hole punch card, an astronaut hole punch craft activity, and hole punch and cut strips.
473 Shares