10 Super Duper Easy Writing Activities for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are the most curious creatures I have ever met. They constantly push their boundaries (and my buttons in the process).

Now, I know I’m not the only one who has had to take a few minutes to compose myself before screaming my head off at some masterpiece on the newly plastered wall.

Yes – that bittersweet moment when you see that proud look of achievement on your child’s face and that big purple, pink and sparkly work of art which you know will take hours of useless scrubbing. Because yes they will do it again. And again. And again.

A few hours later, when all the scrubbing is over, you are probably desperately thinking and surfing the internet for ‘ways to stop children from scribbling on walls’ (and the occasional ‘perfect shoes for an evening outfit’).

(And ‘perfect outfit to go with new shoes I just bought’).

Oh the things we do to keep ourselves sane! Back to our original search.

One way to stop children from scribbling on everything and anything is to channel all that newly discovered skills into some super duper easy writing activities for preschoolers such as the ones here.

1. Writing trays

Lifesavers! These trays are your answer to your writing activity troubles.

Just get a tray and fill it up with salt, flour, goop (mixture of cornflour and water), slime, mud, and anything else which is semi solid.

My daughter’s favourite: rainbow sprinkles (or unicorn poop as she likes to call them… I’m baffled by that logic too).

Writing trays allow your preschoolers to write, erase (by shaking the tray) and write again. How easy is that?

2. Playdough writing

Now this activity is a ‘level 2’ version of the activity above.

Get your child to use a pencil or kebab stick (pencils are easier because they are thicker to grip), to write or scribble on a flattened piece of playdough.

In the previous activity, creating the letters was easier because there is less resistance by the materials used. Playdough on the other hand offers more resistance and helps to strengthen those finger muscles.

3. Zip lock bag alphabet trace

Kids just love feeling like grown ups. So what better way to practice hand writing than pretending to be a teacher using whiteboard markers?

All you’ll need is some whiteboard markers (the erasable ones – not the permanent ones), a big zip lock bag and flashcards with letters on them.

Place the flashcards into the zip lock bag (yes you have to cut them the same size as the bag) and ask your child to trace over the letters. Erase and do it again, and again, and again.

4. Collage letters

Glue, small colourful papers and a preschooler. Can I make it any easier to work on writing skills?

So outline letters on a piece of paper. I use a big roll of paper tablecloth (best buy for kids crafts). Then brush with glue and let your little ones stick on all the different coloured papers within the outlined shapes.

She can later trace over the letters with her fingers in order to practice the movements needed for writing.

5. Step by step name writing

One of the first things most of us learnt how to write was our names. And what better way to practice this than by repeating it over and over and over.

All you need is a blank paper and a pen (or colours, or markers or finger paints depending on how adventurous you want to be). Start by writing your child’s full name. If the name is short, you can include the family name as well.

Below the full name, indicate a space for the first letter and write the rest of the name. Keep doing the same thing, leaving an additional blank space every time.

So by the end, your paper will look something like this: Ester, _ster, _ _ ter, _ _ _ er, etc.

6. Cotton swab letter painting

At some point in time you know you have to bring out the paints.

And instead of letting your children go wild (and paint all over the wall, sofa, floor and the dog), why not get them to write letters? Get some cotton swabs, papers with letters written on them and paints (of course).

Then let your kids go wild while practicing their writing and tracing skills.

7. Water tracing

This preschool writing activity is similar to the one above; however, it is ideal for the outdoors, especially in summer when it’s hot and sticky and the last thing you need is a boring day indoors (with whining children).

You will need your preschooler, water, and a surface which changes colour when in contact with water (such as brick walls and driveways or any surface painted with blackboard paint).

Write letters in chalk and let your child trace over them in water. When the task is complete, have a water fight to cool down.

8. Zip lock squishy letter trace

And we are back to the zip lock. No mess, no stress and no worries (ooohh that sounded like an advert for zip lock bags).

But seriously, parents, they are a very good investment and fun for kids. Back to the activity.

With zip lock bags ready in hand, just add coloured glitter glue or coloured hair gel. Have your pack of letter or word flashcards ready and let your little one copy the letters over the (securely locked) zip lock bag.

Easy right (and a great time for a coffee break).

9. Ice ice colour

Fair warning! This might get messy.

You know I have to include something messy at some point in time. I would definitely plan this game as an out of doors activity in summer.

Some preparation beforehand is needed however. Place some coloured water (water and food colouring) into ice trays and let them freeze overnight.

In the morning, (usually before you have even had time for your morning coffee), when your kids are just so full of energy and can’t wait to get started, all you need to do is pop the ice cubes out, get paper and get them writing and scribbling.

(And you can go back to waking up and having that coffee).

10. Steam letters

Bath time for us tends to be one of the best times to learn new things. My daughter is at her most relaxed and willing to cooperate and we usually spend a good part of an hour in the water.

She leaves the bath looking like a dried up prune (and you can imagine the state of the room after bath time). But she is calm and open to learn new things, so we make the most of it.

For this last activity, all you need is a hot bath and any surface which steams up such as the shower glass, mirror or bathroom tiles. When they are all steamy, get your toddler to trace letter with his (or her) finger.

Bonus activity: you can also do the same thing with soap. I usually lather up a piece of cloth with soap, and we practice letter writing on the cloth.

And that way bath time is fun and educational (no matter how big the mess afterwards is).

 

Writing activities for preschoolers do not have to be a bore or cause for stress. Hope you and your preschooler have fun with some of these activities!