Hands-On Activities

Summer handwriting worksheets are perfect to keep fine motor and other writing skills sharp throughout the summer break. Or, if you school year-round, it gives your child a fun change of pace for their handwriting practice. Also, look at my page Practical Homeschool Writing Curriculum from Pre-K To High School for more tips. 

To really embrace the summer theme, we are also creating a summer writing station.

And the beauty of it is that you can customize it for preschoolers all the way up to high school by personalizing it with challenging worksheets and inviting supplies.

Why would you want to make your child write through the summer?

There are plenty of reasons why you should, if not every day at least a couple times a week

BENEFITS OF SUMMER HANDWRITING WORKSHEETS PRACTICE

• Strengthens hand and finger muscles.
• Enhance dexterity and coordination.
• Prevents summer learning loss.
• Enhanced Cognitive Development.
• Boosts memory and recall.
• Improves focus and attention.
• Preparation for the next academic year.
• Makes the transition back to writing tasks smoother.
• Encourages journaling and storytelling.
• Provides an outlet for self-expression.
• Build confidence in writing abilities.
• Fosters a sense of accomplishment.

Also, look at more homeschool writing curriculum and tips.

MORE HOMESCHOOL WRITING CURRICULUM & TIPS

The best writing practice utilizes handwriting skills and creative writing, maybe even some grammar.

So, I have gathered up a little of each as they work hand in hand.

15 FREE SUMMER HANDWRITING WORKSHEETS

1. Try Summer Writing Topics For Kids if you or they are at a loss for writing ideas and stop the stall.
2. My Free Under the Sea Worksheets : Dive into the Ocean’s Wonders give your child practice with writing,drawing, and unscrambling.
3. Tracing the Free Print Handwriting Worksheets for ABCs of Summer Fun daily is great practice, whether it’s on paper or you laminate them and use dry erase markers.
4. What screams summer more than Ocean Themed Writing Prompts? A great way to get the creativity going.
5. How about a free worksheet Summer Writing Challenge Calendar that gives an idea for each day.
6. Summer Writing Activity
7. Free Printable Summer Tracing Worksheets for Preschool
8. Preschoolers can color and practice simple letter formation using Summer Alphabet Worksheets.
9. For older children you will want to work on a skill like Cursive Summer Tracing Words Challenge.
10. With just a little bit of writing the Summer Word Scramble is a great quick practice idea.
11. Use these free Editable Writing Sheets for name practice, sight words, or any summer words you would like. If you have a vacation planned you can sneak in some words related to that.
12. Free Printable Summer Theme Pre Writing Practice Tracing Paths for Toddlers & Preschoolers are for pre writers, great practice for developing fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.
13. Easy and straightforward these Summer Months Coloring and Writing Pages familiarize younger children with summer months.
14. A Summer Goals Printable Worksheet is good for elementary through high school.
15. A blank Summer Bucket List that can be colored as well is a perfect blank slate for practicing writing while making summer plans.

Finally, look at how to make this fun summer themed writing station.

HOW TO MAKE A SUMMER HANDWRITING STATION

You will need:

• Stackable acrylic drawers. These are perfect!
• Writing paper
• Fun pens/pencils
• Summer themed stickers
• Small beach bucket
• Post it notes
• Postcards
• Blank greeting cards
• Envelopes
• Summer scrapbook paper
• Alpha stamps/inks

First, begin by cutting out summer patterned scrapbook paper the size of your acrylic drawers and line them to create a fun backdrop for the season.

To add another layer of fun you can let your child decorate the drawers with themed stickers as well.

When the next season comes along you can simply apply a bit of heat with a hair dryer to loosen up the adhesive and remove them, swapping them out for new ones.

In one drawer place writing paper that is for whatever level your child is at, primary, wide, college-ruled, etc.

HOW TO MAKE A HANDWRITING STATION

You could also include some handwriting worksheets.

In the other drawer add some envelopes, postcards, stickers, post-it notes, pencil sharpener etc…

Finally, fill up the sand bucket with pencils, markers, and pens in fun colors and different sizes.

You can just pop this on top for an inviting summer themed writing station.

You can change out the stickers, use different types of paper, and include fun prompts like one of the worksheets listed above each week during the summer to keep it fresh.

Think about adding fun erasers, scented markers, and other items other than basic pens and pencils to make the writing station more inviting.

You might also occasionally include a treat or coupon for one like “go out for ice cream” once their handwriting practice is done.

Now that you have set  up a writing station that is summer themed your child can use it to write:

• thank you notes for gifts received
• postcards to friends and family
• a short story
• letters to pen pals
• out favorite song lyrics
• a summer menu for the week
• a review of a book or movie

Then, use it to practice:

• letters or numbers
• their name and address
• common sight words
• short sentences

Finally, keep a summer journal, create a summer bucket list and write out each activity and creating a comic strip with captions give you a variety of activities.