There are so many fun handwriting activities for preschoolers before they ever need to pick up a pencil. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool.
These activities will build not only their letter recognition but also fine motor, gross motor, coordination, posture, and letter formation.
I think it is important for kids to get a good mix of writing with different materials, crayons, markers, and even their fingers.
They can also practice letter formation with sticks, playdough, paint and so much more.
Mix it up to keep it interesting for them and they will not even realize how much they are learning and developing as it will seem like play.
I have found 11 fantastic ideas for writing in all the stages for preschoolers to get you started. Including some resources that would be a great addition to your preschool.
Too, I also have an easy cranberry sauce writing tray tutorial for you that is completely taste-safe and is a fun new texture for kids to try that sensory seekers will love.
Resources for Teaching Pre-Writing to Preschoolers
9 Preschool Writing Resources for Pre-Writers for Readiness to Write
Preschool means pre or before writing. That means they are not ready to write. You are teaching them prewriting activities to strengthen their fine motor skills.
This Wooden Letters Practicing Board would get a lot of use. I see it in car rides, doctors' offices, waiting at restaurants, and many other times to keep them busy while they learn.
These magnetic letters kit is great because it grows with your child from first learning to write letters to simple sight words and right on through more advanced spelling words. I like items that you can get years of use out of.
Once they are ready for writing, if you need a solid program to use for yearly evaluations or just to
see the progress on their own, Handwriting Without Tears is a very popular option.
271 Pcs Alphabet Sounds Teaching Tubs] Alphabet Learning Toy Set includes 26 Cardboard Cans with Plastic Lids, 52 Letter Cards (Uppercase and Lowercase each 26), and 193 Photo Cards
to encourage toddlers early learning of spelling and memory of corresponding objects.
These tracing templates fine-tune developing motor skills, strengthen muscle-memory, and introduce essential writing elements
If you are looking for ways to help your child get ready for school, or just looking to help them develop fine motor skills then this is the book for you! Developed by teachers, with the top skills that teachers look for in their students entering Kindergarten. This book will help your child learn how to trace lines, and use scissors and glue properly.
CRAYON ROCKS - Are simply the best coloring tool for young children! Made in rural Kentucky, USA from soybean wax, they are vibrantly colored and create beautifully textured child artwork similar to oil pastels.
LCD Writing Tablets for kids are so much fun and will encourage practice drawing and writing with very little encouragement from you
One of my favorites that has been around for years for ages 4 to 8. Learn to write by drawing pictures and doing fun activities.
Also, look at more how to homeschool preschool activities.
How to Homeschool Preschool Activities
- A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner
- How to Teach Homeschool Preschool From the Inside Out (And Preschool Skills)
- Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity
- Fun Bat Anatomy Toilet Paper Roll Craft | 8 Bat Science Activities Preschool
- Fun Resources and Books About The Human Body For Preschoolers
- Make Cute Felt Leaf Sachets For Fall Leaf Crafts for Preschoolers
- Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
- 10 Egg Carton Crafts For 2 Year Olds and Fun Nature Color Match Activity
- Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary
Then look at these fun handwriting activities.
11 Fun Handwriting Activities for Preschoolers
- Before writing you can use playdough to learn about forming letters like with the Playdough Mat Name Forming activity here.
- This Rainbow Rice Sensory Writing Tray is tons of fun and most of us have plenty of rice in the pantry so give it a try.
- There will be lots of ooey-gooey writing practice with this Slime Writing Tray where they can use their fingers or something else to write with.
- If you want to avoid the mess or your child just doesn’t like messy hands try this idea for Shaving Cream Writing in a bag.
- A different take on the shaving cream but keeping the mess contained is to learn How to Make Sensory Bags PLUS a Letter and Number Card FREEBIE
- Who needs a pencil when you have a pile of fun play dough and a skewer? Check out this Play-Dough Writing Tray.
- I really love this idea for Q-Tip letter tracing, who knew such a simple household item could be so useful?
- How creative is this idea for Icy Letter Writing? A fun activity for winter or a great way to cool down and practice in the summer.
- Break out the watercolor paints for this Simple Watercolor Activity for name and handwriting practice.
- Prewriting activities like these DIY Alphabet Lacing Cards help a child learn letter recognition and formation while building the muscles and coordination they will need for actual writing.
- Pushpin Letters are good for coordination, and fine motor skills, and will help your child learn the grasp they will need for writing with a pencil correctly
Finally, look at how to make this easy cranberry sauce writing tray.
Easy Cranberry Sauce Writing Tray
You will need:
- Shallow tray or dish
- Canned cranberry sauce, pureed
- Spatula or spoon
- Fresh cranberries
- Cardstock
- Marker
First, open cranberry sauce and stir to break it up and make it as smooth as you can.
Pour into the tray and smooth it out with the bottom of the can.
Draw shapes, letters, and numbers on cardstock with a marker.
Cut them out, if you would like them to be able to be used often you may want to laminate them so they can easily be wiped off after messy play like this one.
You can also add a handful of fresh cranberries to explore a different texture but also they can be used to count when a child writes numbers with their fingers.
Look at that fine motor work!
Encourage letter and number writing but also free play in the sensory bin to make it a well-rounded experience.
I highly recommend taking this one outside or at least placing a plastic shower curtain liner under the area as it can be pretty sticky.
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