Shoe-tying practice board: a 20-minute kindergarten life skills activity
What it is: a kindergarten life skills activity where students practice tying a bow on a cardboard shoe with real laces before trying it on their own shoes. Practicing at table height makes the steps easier to see.
Time: about 20 minutes. Grade: kindergarten.
Materials: cardboard shoe shapes with 4 holes punched by an adult, two-color laces (or two laces of different colors knotted together), and a picture strip of the steps.
- Show the board. Name the steps slowly: make an X, tuck one lace under, pull tight; make two loops; cross them; tuck one under; pull.
- Students repeat each step on their board with you, one step at a time.
- Partners coach each other, using the picture strip.
- Students who tie a bow on the board try it on their own shoe.
- Celebrate each first bow by adding the student's name to a class chart.
Safety: an adult punches the holes before class.
Differentiation: students who need support practice only the first knot this week. Students who are ready teach the bunny ears way to a partner. Students with motor needs can use thicker laces or practice the steps with large ribbon.
Quick check: ask a student to show you the first knot and say what comes next.
Save this activity to your library so it is ready when you need it.
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About this resource
- Shared by
- @UpOnlyLearning · Curriculum team
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
- Type
- Lesson plan
- Grade
- Grades K–2
- Subject
- Life skills & money
- Language
- English
- License
- Free for classroom, co-op and tutoring use. Please don't resell.