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Butterfly Peg Maze Board for Preschool and Therapy
A butterfly-shaped peg maze with smooth grooved tracks and a fixed peg, 45×45cm (18×18"). The child guides the peg along the grooves - no instructions, no wrong answer, and nothing that comes off.
The wide, open curves make this the easiest track in our range, which is why it suits younger children and first sessions. Use it flat on a table or mount it on a wall to keep the floor clear.
Part of the peg maze board range. For wall-mounted activity panels with more elements, see our large busy boards.
Two hands at once
The butterfly shape is symmetrical, and that is the point. Both wings carry the same track, so a child can work one with each hand at the same time.
Using both hands together in a coordinated way is what occupational therapists call bilateral coordination, and it underpins everyday tasks that children learn around this age - doing up buttons, tying laces, holding paper steady while drawing, using scissors. A symmetrical track gives a simple way to practise it.
The board works perfectly well one-handed too. Most children start that way and discover the two-handed version on their own.
For a broader look at what are fine motor skills and how they develop, see our guide.
What age it suits
Most children manage the butterfly track from around three, though it depends far more on grip and hand control than on birthdays. A child who can hold a chunky crayon and draw a deliberate line will usually manage it.
Younger children tend to sweep the peg back and forth without following the track, which is fine - that is still hand and arm practice. Following the groove deliberately comes later.
Older children who find it too easy are ready for the sailboat or square spiral track.
Where it is used
- Preschools and nurseries - table activity or wall station in a quiet corner
- Paediatric occupational therapy - fixed setup that stays the same between sessions
- Special education and sensory rooms - see our sensory wall panels for autism
- Waiting rooms and clinics - quiet, screen-free, nothing to lose. See our guide to sensory walls in dental clinics
- Home playrooms - wall-mounted keeps the floor clear
Build and safety
- Solid natural wood, hand-sanded, rounded edges throughout
- Fixed peg - securely attached, no loose parts and no choking hazard
- Non-toxic water-based finishes
- Wipe-clean surface suited to daily use in shared settings
- Wall mounting hardware included; also works flat on a table
- Made to order by hand - colours and track can be adjusted
For mounting height guidance, including seated and wheelchair use, see our notes on inclusive placement for all abilities.
A fair expectation. A peg maze gives a child a defined, repeatable hand movement to practise. It is an activity product, not a therapeutic device, and it does not replace assessment or therapy. Where a child has specific developmental needs, an occupational therapist is the right person to say which activities suit them and how to use them.
Fitting out a nursery, clinic or therapy room?
We work directly with preschools, therapy practices and clinics on single and bulk orders, including custom colours, sizes and graded sets at increasing difficulty.
Custom designs
Every setting is different. We can change size, track layout, colour and finish, or build a graded set - the same board at increasing difficulty - for a therapy room or classroom. The same applies across our sensory wall panel range.
Get in touch with what you need and we will suggest a configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is the butterfly board for?
Most children manage it from around three, but grip and hand control matter more than age. A child who can hold a chunky crayon and draw a deliberate line will usually follow the track. Younger children often sweep the peg back and forth instead of following the groove - that is still useful practice, and deliberate tracking comes later.
Which board should we start with?
The butterfly is the entry point - wide curves, an open shape and a symmetrical layout that allows two-handed use. From there the sailboat adds straights and tighter turns, the square spiral adds repeated right-angle changes, and the geometry board adds route choice. Many nurseries and therapy rooms keep two or three at different levels so the same child can progress without new equipment.
Is it safe for a nursery or waiting room?
The peg is fixed and does not detach, so there are no small parts and nothing to lose. Edges are rounded, the wood is hand-sanded, and the finish is non-toxic and water-based. In shared settings, mounting it on the wall also keeps it off the floor and makes wiping down between users straightforward. As with any equipment used by young children, supervision remains the setting's responsibility.
Wall-mounted or on a table?
Both work, and mounting hardware is included either way. On a wall the child works at a vertical surface, which engages the shoulder and wrist differently and keeps the floor clear - useful in a small room. On a table it can be moved between children or used sitting down. Many settings start with it flat and mount it once they know where it gets used most.
Can we order a set at different difficulty levels?
Yes. Because every board is made to order by hand, we can supply a graded set - butterfly, sailboat, spiral and geometry - in matching colours and sizes for a classroom or therapy room. We can also adjust track complexity, groove width and finish. Send us what you need and we will quote it.
Peg maze boards are activity products, not therapeutic devices. Nothing on this page is medical or clinical advice - where a child has specific developmental needs, decisions about suitable activities should be made with a qualified professional who knows them.
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