Before children begin tracing letters and numbers, they need practice with basic lines and shapes.
This page is your quick index of pre-writing activities — including horizontal, vertical, wavy, stair-step, and arch tracing worksheets.
These free printables help kids develop pencil control, hand–eye coordination, and fine motor strength, which are essential for early writing.
Pre-Writing Quick Links
- Horizontal Lines — Caterpillar to Leaf Tracing Worksheet
- Vertical Lines — Cloud to Water Drop Tracing Worksheet
- Wavy Lines — Fish Swimming Tracing Worksheet
- Stair-Step Lines — Bear to Honey Tracing Worksheet
- Rainbow Arches — Rainbow Arches Tracing Worksheet
- Inverted Arches — Ship to Lighthouse Tracing Worksheet
- Connected Loops — Bee to Flower Tracing Worksheet
- Inverted Connected Loops — Butterfly to Flower Tracing Worksheet
- Zigzag Lines — Lightning to Light Bulb Tracing Worksheet
Tips for Parents & Teachers
- Print on A4 paper for easy home or classroom use.
- Start with straight lines before moving on to curves and loops.
- Encourage kids to trace slowly, focusing on pencil control.
- Use crayons, pencils, or markers to make practice colorful and fun.
- Laminate pages or place in dry-erase sleeves for repeated use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are pre-writing activities?
Pre-writing activities are line and shape tracing worksheets that prepare children for writing letters and numbers. They train fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination.
What age group are these worksheets for?
These printables are best for preschool (ages 3–4), but can also support kindergarten learners (ages 5–6) who need extra handwriting practice.
How should I introduce these worksheets?
Start with horizontal and vertical lines, then move to wavy and stair-step patterns, and finally to arches, loops, and spirals. This progression mirrors natural handwriting development.
Are these activities free?
Yes! All pre-writing tracing worksheets on Smart Little Bunnies are free to download and print.
With this set of pre-writing activities, your child will build the foundation for confident handwriting before starting on letters and numbers.
Bookmark this page and check back for new additions like inverted arches, loops, and spiral tracing worksheets!
