Preschool writing activities are crucial for developing early literacy skills in young children. As a teacher, how can you effectively help children develop letter recognition, letter formation, and fine motor skills while making learning fun?
In this blog, we’ll explore a variety of creative and engaging ideas that will enhance early writing skills and turn writing exercises into an exciting adventure for your little learners!
15+ preschool writing activities
Let’s explore these exciting ideas to inspire and support your students in class:
1. Salt Tray Writing
Salt Tray Writing is one of the most popular preschool writing activities that combines tactile play with learning. The sensory experience helps children practice letter formation without pressure, building fine motor skills and letter recognition in an engaging, stress-free way.
Materials Needed:
- Shallow tray
- Table salt (or colored sand)
- Index cards with letters or numbers
- Optional: pencil or small paintbrush
How to Do: Fill a tray with a thin layer of salt. Show a letter card, and have children “write” the letter with their finger in the salt. This sensory activity builds letter recognition and fine motor skills.
2. Rainbow Letters
Tracing with multiple colors allows kids to visually distinguish letters and makes the practice more engaging. This activity encourages creativity and repetition, which aids in building writing confidence.
Materials Needed:
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Letter worksheets (with large, bold letters)
How to Do: Give children a worksheet with large bubble letters. Ask them to trace each letter using different colors. They can repeat the process for each letter, creating a rainbow effect.
Download Balloon Bubble Letters Worksheet.
3. Name Tracing
Personalizing writing activities makes them more meaningful. By tracing their own names, children not only improve their writing skills but also learn the importance of personal identity through written language. It helps build confidence and fine motor skills in a meaningful way.
Materials Needed:
- Custom name tracing worksheets
- Pencils
How to Do: Provide worksheets with the child’s name written in dashed lines. Let the child trace over their name multiple times, focusing on each letter’s shape and proper formation.
Want to create personalized name tracing worksheets? Try the Name Tracing Generator to easily customize and print worksheets for your little learners!
4. Shaving Cream Writing
This is a sensory-rich writing experience that boosts engagement for preschoolers — engaging preschoolers in learning through sensory play. It encourages creativity and helps develop fine motor skills, as children form letters in the cream while experiencing a stress-free, playful environment.
Materials Needed:
- Shaving cream
- Tray or table surface
- Paper towels (for cleaning)
How to Do: Spray a layer of shaving cream onto a tray or table surface. Spread it out evenly, then encourage the child to write letters or shapes with their fingers. After each attempt, simply wipe the surface clean and start again.
5. Alphabet Stamps
Alphabet Stamps turns writing activities into a fun and interactive adventure for preschoolers!
As children stamp out letters, they’ll not only improve their letter recognition but also boost their fine motor skills. The colorful ink makes the activity even more exciting, giving kids a creative way to practice their writing while having a blast!
Materials Needed:
- Alphabet stamps
- Ink pads
- Paper
How to Do: Provide the child with alphabet stamps and an ink pad. Let them stamp letters onto paper, forming their name or simple words. Encourage them to explore new combinations and repeat for practice.
6. Dry Erase Boards
Dry Erase Boards are perfect for repeat writing practice without the pressure of perfection. Kids love the freedom to erase and try again, which keeps them engaged and builds confidence.
This exercise is great for quick, hands-on writing sessions that help develop fine motor skills and letter formation—all with zero paper waste and lots of fun!
Materials Needed:
- Dry erase boards
- Dry erase markers
- Erasers or tissues
How to Do: Give each child a small dry erase board and marker. Write a letter, number, or word for them to copy. After practicing, they can erase and try again as many times as they like.
7. Letter Hunt & Write
Letter Hunt & Write adds movement and excitement to writing practice. By turning it into a game, children stay active while reinforcing letter recognition and writing skills.
This activity blends physical play with literacy, helping kids burn energy while building confidence in their ability to spot and write letters. It’s a fantastic way to keep early learners engaged and motivated.
Materials Needed:
- Alphabet flashcards or printed letters
- Paper and pencils or markers
How to Do: Hide alphabet cards around the room. As children find each letter, have them write it down on a sheet of paper. You can also ask them to say the letter sound aloud for added practice.
8. Write the Room
Write the Room turns writing into an active scavenger hunt. Instead of sitting still, kids get to move, explore, and write—all at once.
These activities keep preschoolers engaged while helping them practice writing skills, letter recognition, and early reading. It’s a great way to make writing feel like a game, especially for energetic learners.
Materials Needed:
- Word cards (with letters, words, or pictures)
- Tape
- Clipboards, paper, and pencils
How to Do: Tape word or letter cards around the classroom. Give each child a clipboard with paper and a pencil. As they walk around the room, they find the cards and copy down the letters or words they see.
9. Playdough Letters & Writing
Playdough Letters & Writing combines sensory play with early literacy in a way that’s both hands-on and creative.
Molding the dough into letter shapes strengthens fine motor skills, while transitioning to pencil writing helps reinforce letter formation. It’s a fun, squishy way to keep young learners focused and excited about practicing their letters.
Materials Needed:
- Playdough
- Letter mats or cards
- Pencil and paper (optional)
How to Do: Give children playdough and letter mats showing how each letter is formed. Let them roll the dough into long “snakes” and shape it into letters. After forming the letters, they can try writing them with a pencil on paper.
10. Letter Writing to Friends
Letter writing activities can bring meaning and warmth to preschool writing practice. It builds early literacy and social-emotional skills at the same time, helping children learn that writing can be a way to connect, express care, and bring joy to others.
Materials Needed:
- Paper
- Crayons or pencils
- Envelopes (optional)
How to Do: Encourage children to write simple letters or draw pictures for a classmate or family member. They can sign their name, write a short message, or trace over words an adult has written for them. You can even “mail” the letters in the classroom or take them home.
11. Sandpaper Letters
Sandpaper Letters bring a unique tactile experience to letter learning. The rough texture helps preschoolers engage more deeply with the shape and movement of each letter.
By tracing with their fingers, children build muscle memory and sensory awareness—two key components of strong handwriting skills.
Materials Needed:
- Sandpaper letter cards (or DIY using sandpaper and cardstock)
- Flat surface
- Paper and pencil (optional)
How to Do: Give children individual sandpaper letters to feel with their fingers. Encourage them to trace each letter slowly while saying its name or sound aloud. Afterward, they can try writing the letter on paper to reinforce the motion.
12. Water Painting Letters
Water Painting Letters turns writing into an artistic and mess-free experience. This activity supports fine motor development and encourages repetition in a fun, low-pressure way—perfect for warm days or anytime you want to blend creativity with learning.
Materials Needed:
- Small paint brushes
- Cup of water
- Chalkboard or sidewalk
How to Do: Give children a paintbrush and a cup of water. Ask them to “paint” letters onto a chalkboard or sidewalk surface. As the water dries, they can try again and practice as much as they like.
13. Story Drawing and Labeling
Story Drawing and Labeling sparks imagination while building early writing skills. When kids connect words to their own drawings, it helps them understand how writing adds meaning.
This creative activity encourages vocabulary growth, storytelling, and confidence as they begin to see themselves as real writers with something to say.
Materials Needed:
- Blank paper
- Crayons or markers
- Pencil
How to Do: Invite children to draw a picture that tells a story—like a trip to the zoo or their favorite day at school. Once they’re done drawing, help them label parts of the picture with words like “cat,” “sun,” or their name. Older preschoolers can try labeling on their own.
14. Finger Tracing in Gel Bags
Finger Tracing in Gel Bags makes writing feel like playtime. The squishy surface offers a sensory-rich way to explore letter shapes, helping children strengthen hand muscles and build muscle memory.
It’s mess-free, soothing, and especially effective for kinesthetic learners who benefit from hands-on experiences.
Materials Needed:
- Resealable plastic bags
- Hair gel or colored shampoo
- Tape
- Q-tips or fingers
How to Do: Fill a resealable plastic bag with hair gel and seal it tightly. For extra fun, add food coloring or glitter. Tape the bag to a table or window. Let children use their fingers or a Q-tip to trace letters into the gel.
15. Letter Collage
If you’re seeking preschool writing activities that are fun and engaging, let’s incorporate Letter Collage into your classroom! The process of arranging and gluing the letters helps children connect the visual form of each letter to its name, while having fun with an art project that can be proudly displayed.
Materials Needed:
- Magazines or colored paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Large paper for the collage
How to Do: Provide children with magazines or colored paper. Have them cut out letters they find and glue them onto a large sheet of paper to create a letter collage. You can encourage them to focus on specific letters or let them explore freely.
FAQs
1. How do you teach preschool writing?
Teaching preschool writing involves introducing letter formation through fun and interactive activities like tracing, drawing, and playdough letters. It’s essential to create a supportive environment where children feel encouraged to practice and experiment with writing, gradually building their skills in a low-pressure, creative way.
2. What do preschoolers learn in writing?
In preschool writing, children learn fundamental skills like letter recognition, letter formation, fine motor skills, and the concept of print. They also begin to understand the relationship between sounds and letters, the basics of writing from left to right, and how to express ideas through simple sentences or drawings.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating creative and hands-on preschool writing activities is a powerful way to help children develop essential literacy skills. By making learning fun and interactive, we not only boost their writing abilities but also foster a love for learning. Remember, every little step in mastering writing contributes to their growth.
So, keep exploring new ways to inspire and engage your little learners on their writing journey. Want more ideas? Check out our Worksheetzone for writing worksheets for preschool to enhance your classroom learning experience!
