How it works

How it works

At Sunny Markers™, we believe thoughtfully designed stationery makes a meaningful difference. Our products are created to support the development of fine motor skills while encouraging writing, drawing, colouring and creativity with greater independence.

By focusing on ergonomic design and purposeful features, our stationery helps build strength, improve control, and reduce fatigue and frustration. When the right tools are available, creativity flows more freely and confidence grows.

Each item in our range has been carefully designed and developed by occupational therapists, with valuable input from therapists, educators, families, and everyday creatives. These real-world insights help ensure our stationery is practical, supportive, and designed to meet genuine needs.

At the Heart of Sunny Markers is Independence

Thoughtfully designed stationery that aims to build creativity, confidence, and independence. It all started with the invention of our original Sunny Markers™, so let us tell you a bit about how our markers work and make a difference!

  • Thickness and Diameter

    Why does thick matter?
  • An illustration showing muscles inside of a hand
  • An illustration highlighting the thickness of a Sunny Marker

Our markers are designed to support hand and finger muscle development while promoting greater control and comfort when using. The wider barrel naturally encourages a functional grasp, using the thumb, index, and middle fingers, which supports the development of a strong and comfortable grip.

The wider barrel allows for a more comfortable grip and requires less force to maintain control, helping reduce muscle fatigue and prevent hand strain during writing and creative tasks. Regular use also helps strengthen the small intrinsic muscles of the hand and fingers that support a wide range of fine motor skills.

The larger barrel provides greater stability and control, making it easier to guide movements during colouring, tracing, drawing and writing. Paired with our textured contours, the marker also provides enhanced proprioceptive feedback, helping the user better feel the movement and position of the marker on the page.

  • An illustration of a happy smiling face

  • As wide barrel markers are easier to hold and reduce stress, pain and fatigue in the fingers and hands making table top activities more enjoyable and fun.

  • An illustration of a hand holding Sunny Marker

  • Our markers support development of coordination, as the thicker size provides greater stability, making them easier to control and manoeuvre.

  • Length

    Why does size matter?
  • An illustration highlighting the length of a Sunny Marker
  • An illustration of a hand holding a pen

The small size of Sunny Markers™ is a strengthening power tool! The small size of Sunny Markers™ helps develop fine motor strength, dexterity, grasp and endurance in the hands and fingers.

  • An illustration of a hand showing hand strength

  • The shorter length of our Sunny Markers™ encourages a pincer grasp, guiding the user to use their fingers rather than their whole hand (i.e., wrapping the entire palm around the pen). This helps build strength in the intrinsic muscles of the fingers while increasing control and coordination. It also supports a functional grasp by encouraging an open web space between the thumb and index finger.

    Developing a strong pincer grasp benefits many everyday activities, including opening and closing zips, fastening buttons, handling containers, and supporting a wide range of self-care and life skills.

  • A hand with a diagram showing open web space between the thumb and index finger

  • Using our mini marker pens helps build the intrinsic muscles of the hands and fingers by encouraging greater finger movement and control. This promotes a more refined grip, allowing for smoother, more controlled colouring and writing within the intended space.

  • Contoured Grip

    Why does grip matter?

  • Guides Finger Placement: Contoured grips act as a natural guide for the fingers, encouraging a functional tripod grasp (thumb, index, and middle finger). Moulded contours help position fingers comfortably while supporting an open web space between the thumb and index finger for smoother, more controlled movement.

    Enhances Sensory Feedback: The textured contours provide increased proprioceptive feedback, helping the hand better sense pressure and movement. This supports improved grip control and more consistent writing pressure.

    Improves Comfort and Reduces Fatigue: Ergonomic shaping fits the natural form of a relaxed hand, distributing pressure more evenly across the fingers. This reduces muscle tension and fatigue, allowing for longer, more comfortable periods of writing and drawing.

  • Occupational Therapist Made logo

  • How Sunny Markers™ can help Kids

  • Sunny Markers™ are ergonomically designed to help children build strong fine motor skills and develop a functional pen grasp. Colouring, drawing, tracing and writing with Sunny Markers strengthens the small muscles in the hands and fingers while improving control and coordination - essential skills for using pencils, scissors, utensils, grooming tools, and other everyday items.

    From pre-kindy through to school, Sunny Markers support the development of dexterity, endurance, and confident hand control, helping children grow the skills they need for writing, creativity, and everyday independence.

  • An illustration showing hands opening a bottle, a hand holding a fork, and a hand placing playing blocks on top of each other

  • What are fine motor skills

    and why do they matter? 
  • An illustration of a hand gripping a very small block

  • Fine motor refers to the group of skills involved in the ability to manipulate smaller objects with the hands and fingers -  for example, grasping, holding and pinching. The Australian Early Years Learning Framework identify the importance of fine motor development as a foundation for children’s independence.