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23 Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

In the early years of a child’s life, every scribble, doodle, and line drawn holds profound significance.

It’s the foundation of pre-writing skills, the precursor to the beautiful art of writing.

We have compiled a list of Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers that can be easily done at home or in the classroom.

Playdough Fun:

20 Best Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

Playing with playdough is a fantastic pre-writing activity for preschoolers. It provides a sensory experience that helps children develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Children can roll, press, and mold the play dough into different shapes and sizes, helping them strengthen their fingers and hands. They can also use cookie cutters, plastic knives, and other tools to create different designs, which can help with their creativity and imagination.

Related: Free Preschool Worksheets Age 3 – 5 (PDF)

Tracing Shapes:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Tracing shapes is another excellent pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can create different shapes on paper or cardboard and ask your child to trace them using a pencil or crayon. This activity helps children learn how to control their writing tools and follow a line, which is essential for writing letters and numbers.

Related: 25 Fun Morning Meeting Activities for Kindergarten

Finger Painting:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Finger painting is a fun and messy pre-writing activity that helps children develop their fine motor skills and creativity. You can provide your child with different colors of paint and ask them to make different shapes and designs on paper. Children can use their fingers to create different textures and patterns, which helps them develop their tactile senses. This activity is also a great way to introduce your child to colors and mix them to create new ones.

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Puzzles are a great way to help preschoolers develop their problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills. You can start with simple puzzles with large pieces and gradually increase the difficulty level. Puzzles help children learn how to match and sort different shapes and sizes, which is important for writing letters and numbers.

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Beading is a fun and engaging pre-writing activity that helps children develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can provide your child with different colored beads and ask them to string them onto a shoelace or string. This activity helps children learn how to manipulate small objects and strengthens their hand muscles. It also helps with their color recognition and sorting skills.

Related: 20 Fun and Exciting Circle Time Games for Preschoolers

Play with Stickers:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Playing with stickers is a fun and simple pre-writing activity that helps children develop their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity. You can provide your child with different types of stickers and ask them to stick them onto paper or a cardboard surface. Children can make different designs and patterns using stickers, which helps them develop their spatial awareness and fine motor skills.

Drawing on a Magna Doodle:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Drawing on a Magna Doodle is a great pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Magna Doodle is a magnetic drawing board that comes with a magnetic stylus that children can use to draw different shapes and designs. This activity helps children learn how to control their writing tools and follow a line, which is essential for writing letters and numbers.

Sensory Bins:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Sensory bins are a great pre-writing activity that provides children with a sensory experience while also helping them develop their fine motor skills. You can create a sensory bin by filling a container with different materials such as sand, rice, or beans, and providing your child with different tools such as scoops and shovels. This activity helps children develop their tactile senses and hand-eye coordination.

Cutting with Scissors:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Cutting with scissors is a great pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can provide your child with safety scissors and ask them to cut out different shapes and designs on paper. This activity helps children learn how to control their scissors and develop their hand muscles.

Drawing on a Chalkboard:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Drawing on a chalkboard is a fun pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can provide your child with chalk and ask them to draw different shapes and designs on a chalkboard. This activity helps children learn how to control their writing tools and follow a line, which is essential for writing letters and numbers.

Threading Beads:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Threading beads is a great pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and sorting skills. You can provide your child with beads of different colors and shapes and ask them to string them onto a string or pipe cleaner. This activity helps children learn how to manipulate small objects and strengthens their hand muscles.

Play with Clay:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Playing with clay is a fun and creative pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Children can mold clay into different shapes and designs, which helps them strengthen their fingers and hands. They can also use different tools such as plastic knives and cookie cutters to create different designs.

Drawing on a Whiteboard:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Drawing on a whiteboard is a great pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can provide your child with dry-erase markers and ask them to draw different shapes and designs on a whiteboard. This activity helps children learn how to control their writing tools and follow a line, which is essential for writing letters and numbers.

Play with Lacing Cards:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Playing with lacing cards is a great pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can provide your child with lacing cards that have different shapes and designs and ask them to thread a shoelace or string through the holes. This activity helps children learn how to manipulate small objects and strengthens their hand muscles.

Rolling Playdough:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Rolling play dough is a simple and effective pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Children can roll play dough into different shapes and sizes, which helps them strengthen their fingers and hands. This activity also helps children with their spatial awareness and helps them understand the concept of size and shape.

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Tracing shapes is a great pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can provide your child with different shapes on paper, such as circles, squares, and triangles, and ask them to trace them with a pencil or marker. This activity helps children learn how to control their writing tools and follow a line, which is essential for writing letters and numbers.

Playing with Playfoam:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Playing with play foam is a fun and engaging pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Children can mold play foam into different shapes and designs, which helps them strengthen their fingers and hands. This activity also helps children with their sensory development, as they can squish and mold the play foam in different ways.

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Finger painting is a fun and creative pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Children can use their fingers to create different designs and patterns, which helps them develop their creativity and artistic skills. This activity also helps children with their sensory development, as they can feel the texture of the paint on their fingers.

Building with Blocks:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Building with blocks is a great pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their spatial awareness and fine motor skills. Children can use different types of blocks, such as wooden blocks or legos, to create different structures and designs. This activity also helps children with their problem-solving skills, as they have to figure out how to build different designs.

Play with Bead Mazes:

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Playing with bead mazes is a great pre-writing activity that helps preschoolers develop their hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. You can provide your child with a bead maze toy and ask them to move the beads through different pathways. This activity helps children learn how to manipulate small objects and strengthen their hand muscles, which is important for writing.

Recommended:

  • 24 Fun Small Group Activities for Preschoolers
  • 25 Amazing Technology Activities for Preschoolers
  • 25 Amazing Cardboard Activities for Preschoolers

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Syeda Faryal

Syeda Faryal is an innovative Curriculum Specialist known for her impactful educational curriculum designs. With 8+ years of experience in teaching elementary students and a B.Ed from Allama Iqbal University , she prioritizes holistic development and meaningful learning experiences.

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  • Writing Activities

18+ Creative Writing Activities To Make Writing Fun

Make writing less boring with these 12 fun creative writing activities for kids. 

When most children think of writing, they think of lined paper with thousands of words written on it, line by line with the occasional spacing for paragraphs. But writing doesn’t need to be that boring and gloomy. Today we bring you12 creative writing activities to make writing fun and colourful!

How to Make Writing Fun

It is important to show your kids that there’s more to writing than just homework and long essays. Writing can be fun and it doesn’t always involve writing thousands of words in a formal structure. It’s time to stop worrying about sentence structure, grammar and spelling mistakes. Instead, encourage your kids to explore their creativity and write down their thoughts as they come in any format they like. Here are 12 fun creative writing activities that will boost your child’s creativity, imagination and encourage them to write for fun.

18+ Fun Creative Writing Activities

Use story maps.

Story maps are a great way to unleash your child’s imagination. You can either create your own or print out one of these free story map templates . To create your own story map, you’ll first need a location. This could be anywhere, a planet , an island , the woods or even your hometown. Don’t worry, you don’t actually need to leave your home to enjoy this activity. 

Next draw out a simple map of the location. The map must have a starting point and an endpoint. Here is an example of our treasure island story map:

Island Story Map Example

You can see that we marked the starting point with a star. And the end point with a red cross. Once this is done, you need to put loads of obstacles, challenges and interesting things on the map for your child to explore and engage with in their imagination. This could be a giant octopus monster, a lava lake, a cunning princess or even some secret symbols or lettering. 

Once you have completed creating your action-packed story map (or printed out one of our free templates) – It’s time for the real adventure to begin. Give the map to your child and together you can pretend that you have landed in a whole new location. 

Start from your bedroom (or your imaginary pirate ship) and make your way through the obstacles to find the secret treasure located in a mysterious cave (or the shed in your backyard). As you go through the map, think about the characters you might encounter, items you might find and even challenges you could face.

After your little adventure, your child will be inspired and ready to write about the adventure they just experienced! Go ahead and check out these free story map templates to get you started:

  • Forest Story Map
  • Island Story map

Create Some Paper Finger Puppets

Puppets and toys are a great way to stimulate imaginative play. In particular, creating your own paper finger puppets is a brilliant creative activity to boost your child’s imagination and make story-telling more fun. When creating your own finger puppets, your child can create any character they like. If they love football , try creating some famous football players, and if they love Harry Potter , get them to create some wizard themed characters. Whatever your child’s interest, combine it with story-telling, and make storytime extra fun.

make paper finger puppets tutorial

To get you started, you can download our free paper finger puppet templates by signing up to Imagine Forest:

free printable paper finger puppets template

Create your own paper characters, props and background. Then let the role-playing begin!

Would You Rather Game

Kids love playing games. The Would You Rather game is a great way to boost logical thinking and communication skills. Print out our free Would You Rather game cards pack, to get a mix of funny, gross and Disney themed questions. Then get at least three players in a team to begin the game. The purpose of the game is to convince the whole team that your answer to the question is the best one and to get other players to agree with you. This game is guaranteed to get your kids laughing and thinking logically about the answers they pick. 

would-you-rather-questions-printable

Telephone Pictionary Game

Another brilliant creative writing activity is the Telephone Pictionary Game . The basic idea behind this game is to write a story collaboratively with your team using drawings and phrases. Together as team members take turns to write/draw something down. They’ll be improving skills such as creativity, teamwork and communication skills. And when the game is over, they’ll have a really funny story to read!

Telephone Pictionary

Create Some Shape Poetry

Poetry is a quick and short writing activity to get kids engaged in creative writing. But writing a typical haiku or limerick can get boring over time. To add a little more excitement gets your kids to write poems in the shape of something. For example, your child could write a poem about cats , in the shape of a cat:

Cat Shape Poem Example

Not only are these poems great to read, but they also make wonderful pieces of artwork. For more inspirations, check out our Alice in Wonderland inspired shape poetry .

Finish The Story Game

The finish the story game is the simplest creative writing activity in our list. In a team of at least 2 players, each player takes turns completing a story. Start off with a random story starter and then each player takes turns to continue this story. Which way will the story go? No-one knows. And that’s the real beauty of this game. Let your child explore their imagination and come up with wild ideas to keep the story interesting. And by the end of the game, you’ll have a really unique and funny story to read. 

Use Image Prompts

Image prompts are a great source of inspiration. And can be used in a number of ways to encourage your child to write. For instance, you can ask your child to write a quick snappy slogan for a random image or photograph. Alternatively, you could play a whole game centred around a single image, such as the Round Robin Tournament game explained in our post on storytelling games using image prompts .

Story Cubes To Inspire

Inspiration is key in making writing fun for kids. That’s where story cubes come in handy. You either buy ready-made story cubes or make your own story cubes at home. If you’re interested in making your own story cubes, check out these 9 free story cube templates for ideas. Once you have a bunch of story cubes, you can simply roll them like dice and then challenge your kids to write a story based on the images they get. For game ideas using story cubes, check out this post on how to use story cubes . 

story cube images story

Create A Comic Strip

If your kids hate writing but love drawing, then comic strips are a great creative activity to sneak in some minor writing with huge levels of imagination. Pick a topic, any topic you like. This could be related to your child’s interest and then ask them to create a short comic strip about that topic. For example, if you child loves dinosaurs, ask them to create their own comic strip about dinosaurs. For more inspiration and ideas, check out this post on how to create your own comic strip and comic books at home. 

Comic Strip Example

Make Your Own Pop-up Book

Another fun way to get your kids to write more is by creating your own pop-book books. Pop-up books seem really complicated to create, but in reality, they are really easy to make at home. All you need is some paper, scissors and glue. Check out this super easy tutorial on how to create your own pop-book at home for quick step-by-step instructions. Similar to comic strips, pop-up books are a great way of combining drawing with writing to get your kids writing more in a quick and fun way. 

easy pop-up book tutorial for kids

Create Mini Booklets

Turn your child’s story into a real book! You can buy blank books from Amazon or create your own mini paper book, using this easy mini notebook tutorial . With this tutorial you can create a fully customisable book, with your own cover, back page and you can even draw your own illustrations inside! This is a really fun and cute way to gets your kids writing in their spare time.

How to Make a Mini Paper Notebook Tutorial

Write A Letter With a Fun Twist

Forgot ordinary boring letters! Check out our Paper craft animal envelopes to encourage your kids to write letters to their friends, family, heroes, aliens, anyone they like! Inside the child can write any message they like, such as “how were your holidays…” or “We’re having a party this weekend…” And on the outside they can create any animal or creature they like as envelopes. 

DIY Animal Envelopes tutorial

Describe a Monster

Ask your child to draw their own monster or character and describe it. – What are its strengths, and weaknesses, where does it live, what does it like doing and so on? This creative writing activity is quick, simple and full of imagination! And you could even take this a step further by creating your own monster flip books !

How to create a Monster Flip Book

Use Story Starters

Use story starters to inspire reluctant writers. These can be simple sentences, such as “It was Timmy’s first day at school and he was excited…” and your child can continue writing the rest of the story. Or you could use photos and your child’s drawings to inspire story-writing by asking the child to describe what’s happening in this image. Take a look at this post on 60+ first-line prompts to inspire you or you could view our mega list of over 300 writing prompts for kids .

Create Your Own Greeting Cards

Get your child to create their own Christmas cards , greeting cards or get well cards to send to someone they know. They can write their own personal message inside and draw a picture on the outside. Quick activities like this are a great way to sneak in some writing with some arts and crafts. 

step-5-pop-up-christmas-tree-card-tutorial-for-kids-imagine-forest

Create Your Own Newspaper

Ask your child to write their own newspaper article or create their own newspaper about the daily events that happen at home or at school. Remember the use of the 5 W’s and 1 H when writing newspaper articles. Our newspaper challenge online activity is great for creating fun newspaper articles.

imagine forest newspaper writing activity

Make A Shopping List

Get the kids involved in the weekly grocery shopping! Ask them to write the shopping list with drawings. If the grocery shopping list is too boring, then get them to create a wish list of items they dream of owning or even a list of goals they want to accomplish. You can buy some really pretty shopping list pads from Amazon , which could be a great way to encourage your kids to get writing!

Re-tell some fairytales

Fairytales have been around for centuries and by now they need a modern twist. Challenge your child to update an old classic. And you could even use this free ‘Retell a fairy tale pack ’ to help you. Re-telling a fairytale is a lot easier than creating a whole new one – Simply ask your child to change one or two key elements in the story and see how it changes the entire fairytale. For example, what if Cinderella was the villain? Alternatively, you could go wacky and add a whole new character to a classic fairytale, such as Spiderman making an appearance in Jack and the Beanstalk. The possibilities really are endless!

Write Your Own Movie Script

Ask your child to write their own short movie script, they can create a cast list and give all the different characters different things to say. You can find a free script and cast list template here ! Think about the conversation between the characters, what problems would they encounter, who is the villain in this story? We also think these free finger puppets printable could be great for story-telling.

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Hand-written Blogs

Ask your child to keep a simple hand-written blog about their hobbies and interests. This can be done in a journal or notebook. Ask them the following questions: What do they like doing in their spare time and why do they enjoy this. Maybe ask them to provide instructions on how someone else can also be good at this hobby. They can update their hand-written blog everyday with new tips and interesting pieces of information on their hobby.

Wanted Posters

Create a ‘Wanted’ poster for famous villains in storybooks, such as Miss Trunchbull from Matilda or Cinderella’s Stepmother. You can find a free blank template here . Alternatively try out the Most Wanted online activity on Imagine Forest, to create your own wanted posters online:

most wanted online writing game

Storyboarding

Writing a whole story down can be cumbersome. That’s why storyboarding can make a really good creative writing activity. Instead of asking a child to write a whole story down, get them to think about the key events in the story and plan it out using a storyboard template . Planning their story out beforehand could even encourage your child to write a complete story down afterwards. The first step is always planning out what you are going to write, and this could give your child the confidence to keep going. 

Storyboard Template Completed

Know anymore fun writing activities for kids? Tell us your ideas below.

Top 10 Writing Activities to Make Writing Fun!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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☘️ St. Patrick's Day Activities: Books, art ideas, experiments, and more!

22 Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

Help your preschoolers build skills that will help them learn how to write and having fun while doing it!

main image preschool prewriting skills

Pre-writing activities for preschoolers not only help our youngest learners learn the shape and structure of the letters in the alphabet, but they also serve a number of other functions as well. According to education blogger Lisette, from Where Imagination Grows , pre-writing practice teaches directionality in writing, encourages fine muscle development and coordination, and also helps students process sensory information critical to the writing process.

Here are 22 super fun, easy-to-make activities that your preschoolers will love!

1. Squishy Bags

Resealable plastic bags filled with colorful slime for kids to use for writing practice

Source: Learning4kids

All you need to make these awesome sensory bags is resealable zipper storage bags, flour, water, and food coloring. Kids can use cotton swabs or their fingers to draw shapes, lines, and letters on the bag.

2. Bubble Wrap

A child tracing the letters of his name written on bubble wrap

Source: Coffee Cups and Crayons

What a great way to recycle all that leftover bubble wrap! Simply write letters on sheets of bubble wrap with a Sharpie and let kids pop their way to letter recognition.

3. Play-Doh Snakes

A letter card with yellow playdoh used to fill in the outline

Source: In My World

Kids can’t resist the sensory lure of Play-Doh! For this activity, kids can roll small balls of dough into long snakes and form letters by bending and joining the snakes together.

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4. Play-Doh and Drinking Straws

Blue playdoh with the letter P scraped into it. Colorful straw segments stuck into the the outline of the letter and on the table next to it.

Source:   KidActivitiesBlog

Flatten out a medium-size piece of Play-Doh on a flat surface. Then use a sharp object to draw a letter on the flattened area. (Make sure that the letter is large enough to be easily recognizable when filled with straws.) Cut plastic straws into one-inch segments. Let kids “trace” the letters with the colorful straw segments.

5. Dot Markers

A child using a dot marker to fill in a squiggly line

Source: 3 Dinosaurs

Students use dot markers to practice the mechanics of writing and get used to the angles and curves of letters. Click on the link above to download 12 free pages of pre-writing dot marker worksheets.

6. Cotton Swabs and Paint

A child using a q-tip dipped in paint to draw a squiggly blue line

Source: Lessons Learnt Journal

This is a fun activity to help kids work on their fine motor skills and get the hang of the all-important pencil grip.

7. LEGO Blocks

Using lego blocks to create letters on letter cards

Source:   Wildflower Ramblings

Blocks! Young kids can’t get enough of building and creating with them. Put their creative energy to good work with these free printable letter cards.

8. Shaving Cream

A tray of shaving cream with the word

Source: Mess for Less

This classic activity is a great starting place for pre-writers. All you need is a tray and a can of shaving cream.

9. Glitter Glue

Strips of paper with straight and curvy lines outlined with glitter glue

Source: Growing Hands-On Kids

Pre-writing lines are important building blocks for any preschooler to master before learning letter formations. Download this glitter glue pre-writing line practice for preschoolers activity.

Activity card for preschoolers to use beads to trace different shaped lines

Source: Artsy Momma

Just like the one above, this activity builds fine motor skills that your young students need to begin writing. Instead of using glitter glue, though, students use inexpensive pony beads (found at any craft store) to follow the lines.

11. Sand Tray

A child using a dowel to write in a tray filled with flour

 Source: Our Little House in the Country

One of the simplest activities to put together for your students to practice pre-writing is a sand tray. Kids can use their fingers or an unsharpened pencil to practice writing. As an alternative to sand, you can fill your tray with salt, flour, cornmeal, or rice.

12. Squeeze Bottle

A child using a squeeze bottle of salt to trace words written on a card

Source:: Playdough to Plato

Fill a plastic squeeze bottle with salt or sugar and let students trace letters on cards.

13. Rainbow Tray

A rainbow colored tray of sand for children to practice writing skills on

 Source: Where Imagination Grows

This resource is so simple to make, and kids love it! Simply tape colored tissue paper in a rainbow pattern to the bottom of a clear plastic tray. Fill it with sand, and as the kids trace lines and letters, the colors below are revealed. The image above shows the tray on top of a light table, which adds another dimension of fun to the activity!

14. Masking Tape

a colorful green letter E taped on a mirror

Source: And Next Comes L

A roll of colored masking tape and a clear surface make this a fun center activity at writing time.

15. Magnet Board

The letter W taped with masking tape onto a metal board

Source: Days with Gray

Tape letters onto a magnet board and let your little ones trace them with magnets. In the example above, the teacher made the letters into roads, and the students drove their car magnets along them.

16. Lacing Cards

A preschooler laces a cord through holes in a lacing card

Source: Teaching Mama

Grasping a string between tiny fingers and threading the end through the holes in a lacing card is great fine motor practice for preschoolers. It also begins to build muscle memory for holding a pencil properly.

17. Buttons

Children placing colorful buttons on predrawn lines to practice writing skills

Source: Learning4Kids

Preschoolers will have so much fun creating patterns, swirls, squiggles, and zig-zags with colorful buttons. And they’ll be building skills while they’re at it!

18. Sticker Line Up

Child placing colorful stickers along a printed line

Source: Busy Toddler

Preschoolers need to use a pinching motion, which builds fine motor skills, to peel sticker dots off the page. Then, they use hand-eye coordination to place each sticker on the drawn line. This activity would be perfect for a writing or free time station.

19. Fingerprint Writing

Child practicing writing letters by dipping fingertip in ink then pressing letters onto poster paper

Source: Happy Toddler Playtime

Some kids may not like to get their fingers this messy, but others will adore it! For this activity, you will need poster paper and a palette of washable ink. Draw letters, shapes, and lines on a clean piece of paper. Then, show kids how to dip their pointer finger onto the ink pad, then follow the lines dot by dot.

20. Clothespin Clipping

A child clips a clothespin onto a number line

Using a clothespin takes a lot of grip strength. This image shows a student using a clothespin to choose the correct answer to a number problem, but any activity that involves clipping will help them build the fine motor skills required for writing.

21. Cutting

A child uses scissors to cut through play dough

Source: Play of the Wild

Cutting and snipping activities with scissors are excellent ways for children to practice fine motor skills and control. Give your students lots of opportunities to practice their cutting skills with paper, string, card stock, even Play-Doh!

22. Scrunching Paper

A child wads up a piece of paper

Source: Gympanzees

Scrunching paper into a ball is great for building hand strength. Let your students use computer paper, newspaper, tissue paper, or wrapping paper. Then play a game of paper ball tag!

What are your favorite pre-writing activities for preschoolers? Share in the comments below.

Plus, check out these amazing sensory table activities..

22 Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

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12 Best Writing Activities for Kids: The “Write” Way to Fun

A girl writing

1. Online Writing Games

2. feelings journal, 3. personal time capsule letters, 4. use creative writing prompts, 5. picture storytelling, 6. diy comic strips, 7. outdoor observation, 8. letter to a hero, 9. recipe writing, 10. story cubes.

Did you know that many kids today find writing a bit challenging? In fact, studies show that lots of children struggle with putting their thoughts into words. But guess what? We have some super fun and exciting ways to help them become amazing writers!

SplashLearn: Most Comprehensive Learning Program for PreK-5

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SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.

We’ll show you how writing activities will make your kids love writing, just like they love their favorite games and toys .

But why is this important? Well, teaching kids to write is not just about school—it’s about expressing yourself, telling stories , and sharing ideas. Plus, it’s a skill that will help them in so many areas of life. Let’s dive right in and discover fun writing activities for kids that will light up their imaginations and help them become confident writers!

12 Fun and Creative Writing Activities for Kids

Writing can be as exciting as a treasure hunt or a fantastic adventure, and it doesn’t have to feel like homework. Here are some ways on how to practice writing:

Card Image

In today’s digital age, engaging children in learning can be both fun and educational. Online writing games are an excellent way to foster creativity and enhance writing skills in kids. One such platform that excels in this regard is SplashLearn .

SplashLearn offers a wide array of interactive games and worksheets designed to enhance kids’ writing skills. From letter tracing activities that help strengthen fine motor skills to engaging sight word games that boost reading and writing proficiency, SplashLearn transforms writing practice into an engaging and rewarding experience.

Journal page

A journal is like a secret friend where kids can pour out their thoughts and feelings. This writing activity is a safe space for self-expression and emotional growth.

Ideas for journaling:

  • Ask them to write about their favorite day.
  • Let them draw or stick pictures to make it even more personal.

Keeping a journal is like having a personal therapist on paper. It aids in emotional development by encouraging self-reflection and expression of feelings. Additionally, it hones writing skills, vocabulary, and the ability to organize thoughts coherently.

A girl writing a letter

The idea of a time capsule is to capture the present moment for the future. In this activity, kids write letters to their future selves, detailing their current lives, hopes, dreams, and questions they might have for their older selves.

How it works:

  • Provide kids with paper, envelopes, and writing tools.
  • Ask them to imagine they’re writing to themselves 5 or 10 years in the future.
  • They can describe their current life, friends, hobbies, and dreams.
  • Once done, seal the letters in envelopes with the date to be opened in the future.
  • Store them in a safe place or create a decorative time capsule box.

Writing to one’s future self is a reflective activity that encourages introspection. It helps children articulate their current feelings, aspirations, and uncertainties. As they ponder what the future might hold, they also develop a sense of hope and anticipation. When they eventually open these letters years later, they can see how much they’ve grown, which can be a profound and emotional experience.

Kid writing a story

Imagine starting with a simple sentence and turning it into an amazing story! That’s what creative writing prompts do—they make writing an adventure.

Examples of prompts:

“If I could go anywhere in the world, I would visit…”

“Once, I found a magical key that opened…”

Creative writing prompts spark imagination and creativity. They prompt children to think outside the box and develop their unique voice. Additionally, it improves their storytelling abilities and vocabulary.

Mother showing pictures to her kid

Pictures can speak a thousand words, and when kids write about them, they learn to describe things in detail.

Picture-based prompts:

Show them a picture and ask, “What do you see? Write a story about it.”

Describing pictures in detail improves observational skills and the ability to convey ideas clearly. It encourages children to think critically about visual cues and translate them into written narratives.

A comic strip

Creating comics is like being a superhero! Kids get to draw, write, and think about how stories flow.

Step-by-step guide:

  • Draw a series of boxes to make panels.
  • In each panel, tell a part of the story with words and pictures.

Creating comic strips nurtures artistic and storytelling talents simultaneously. It teaches visual storytelling, enhances writing skills in a concise format, and encourages the creative interplay between words and images.

Prompt: “What’s a funny incident that happened to you recently? Try turning it into a 3-panel comic strip!

Nature journal

Writing about nature connects kids with the world around them. It’s like taking a walk in the park with a pen.

Outdoor observation prompts:

  • “Create an alphabet list using things you see in nature. For each letter, write the word of something you found, and describe it in one sentence.”
  • “Draw your favorite tree and write about it.”
  • Pick up a fallen leaf and make up a story about where it came from, the tree it belonged to, and its adventures on the ground.
  • Look up at the sky and observe a unique shape in the clouds. Write a short story (2-3 sentences) about what this cloud shape resembles and a whimsical tale that could involve this cloud character.

This activity connects children with the natural world. It cultivates an appreciation for the environment, promotes keen observation skills, and sharpens descriptive writing abilities.

A girl writing a letter

Writing a letter to a hero or role model is a way to say thank you and share admiration. It’s all about showing gratitude.

What to write:

  • Tell your hero why you admire them.
  • Say how they inspire you.

Writing letters to heroes promotes gratitude , empathy, and the articulation of admiration. It helps children develop persuasive writing skills and the ability to express their feelings respectfully.

Kid putting decorations on a cupcake

Writing recipes is like creating magic potions! It’s also a fun way to learn about measurements and following instructions.

Write down a simple recipe, like making a peanut butter or jelly sandwich.

Crafting recipes enhances attention to detail and understanding of the order of operations. It teaches the importance of clear, concise instructions and reinforces basic math and measurement skills.

Box of the game story cubes

Story cubes are like dice with pictures. Roll them, and see where your imagination takes you!

How to make and use them:

  • Draw pictures on cube-shaped paper or use stickers.
  • Roll the cubes and create a story based on the pictures that come up.

Story cubes stimulate the imagination and encourage spontaneous storytelling. They help children think on their feet, connect disparate ideas, and weave them into a coherent narrative. This activity also promotes vocabulary expansion as kids search for the right words to describe the images they see.

11. Newspaper Reporter

Kid dressed as a reporter

Kids can be little reporters and learn about news writing. It’s a sneak peek into how newspapers work!

Activity: Brainstorm: Think of an event like “Aliens Visit Local School” or “Lost City Found in Backyard”.

Details: Answer: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?

Headline: Create a catchy title to grab attention.

Draft: Write the story, adding ‘quotes’ from ‘witnesses’ or ‘experts’.

Illustrate: Sketch a related image or scene.

This activity merges news writing with creative storytelling. Kids learn the structure of news while enhancing both their factual and creative writing skills.

12. Book Reviews

Book review by kids

Reading is fantastic, but talking about what you’ve read is even better. It helps kids think critically and share their thoughts.

How to do it:

  • Pick a book you love and tell others what you liked and didn’t like about it.
  • These writing activities are like hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Pick one, or try them all, and watch your child’s writing skills grow while having a blast!

Writing book reviews enhances critical thinking and analytical skills. It encourages children to form opinions, express them clearly, and engage in thoughtful discussions about literature. It also promotes reading comprehension.

6 Benefit of Writing Activities for Students

Did you know that these fun writing activities can do wonders for your child’s growth? Let’s explore how:

1. Improves Literacy Skills

Engaging in creative writing activities fosters a deeper understanding of language and literacy. This enhanced literacy proficiency not only aids them academically but also equips them with a crucial life skill for effective expression and comprehension.

2. Improves Communication Skills

Through storytelling, journaling, and letter writing, kids learn to articulate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas coherently. They become more adept at conveying their messages, whether in written assignments at school or in everyday conversations. 

3. Boosts Creativity

Creative writing activities are like playgrounds for the imagination. When children engage in storytelling, compose poems , or craft imaginative narratives, they exercise their creative muscles. 

4. Enhances Critical Thinking

Many of these activities encourage children to think critically about the content they create. When they write book reviews, they must analyze the plot, characters, and themes, developing the capacity to assess literature thoughtfully. Storytelling and creative prompts compel them to structure narratives logically, considering cause and effect. These experiences foster analytical thinking, enabling kids to approach complex issues with a more discerning eye.

5. Improves Emotional Well-being

Journaling, in particular, serves as a therapeutic outlet for children to express their emotions, fears, and aspirations. It allows them to process their feelings and gain a better understanding of themselves, helping children manage stress and anxiety more effectively. 

6. Cultivation of a Lifelong Skill

This can lead to a lifelong passion for literature, creative expression, and effective communication—an invaluable skill that serves them well in education, careers, and personal relationships.

In other words, the benefits of these creative writing activities extend far beyond the classroom to nurture well-rounded individuals with enhanced literacy skills, effective communication abilities, heightened creativity, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Encouraging children to embrace these activities is an investment in their personal and intellectual growth, providing them with tools that will benefit them throughout their lives.

To wrap it up, these writing exercises for kids make learning fun and beneficial. These activities to improve writing skills help kids become great writers, improve their reading , and boost their creativity. By enjoying these activities, children can express themselves better and learn to tell amazing stories. So, let’s encourage our little ones to dive into this exciting world of writing. It’s not just homework; it’s a lifelong adventure where imagination and self-expression reign.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 5 minute writing exercise for kids.

The 5-minute writing exercise for kids is a quick and creative activity where they write about anything that comes to mind for just 5 minutes, no rules, just free writing.

What is a fun writing game for kids?

A fun writing game for kids can be “Story Dice” where they roll dice with pictures and create a story using those images, sparking imagination.

How do you make a writing lesson fun?

To make a writing lesson fun, incorporate games, writing worksheets for kids, storytelling, or interactive prompts to engage students and make learning enjoyable.

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This Reading Mama

Creative Writing Activities for Kids

By thisreadingmama 1 Comment

Writing is one of those subjects that isn’t always a favorite for kids. And it’s no wonder with the meaningless writing activities we sometimes ask kids to do. That’s why I’m sharing some creative writing activities that can make writing a little more purposeful and yes, even fun for kids.

You can also find creative writing ideas on my Writing Activities for Kids Pinterest Board as well as in our Google+ Group,  Writing With Kids . Feel free to ask to join!

Creative Writing Activities for Kids This Reading Mama

*This post contains affiliate links.

Creative Writing Activities to Make Writing Meaningful

We want the writing we’re asking kids to be meaningful and purposeful. And, as unpopular as this statement might be, a steady diet of writing prompts and copy work does not foster meaningful and purposeful for most kids . Am I saying you can never use them? Absolutely not . {I even have a Writing Prompt Pack in my store.} But I don’t recommend them as a steady diet when teaching writing.

One way to help make writing meaningful is to create an audience/reader  for kids.

  • Writing letters to friends and family is the PERFECT way to get kids writing for authentic purposes, like Mama Smiles shares she does with her kids. Remember the days of pen pals. Why not start one between an older relative who lives far away and your child? You can also download this cute freebie for teaching kids how to write a friendly letter.

hanging up the clues for the scavenger hunt

  • Creating a simple scavenger hunt with Post-It Notes is a fun way to include an audience for your child’s writing. Kids can do this for family members or friends. It helps to have a super fun treat at the end, too!
  •  I also love to allow kids to include their writing among the other texts and books on your shelf. Treat their writing like you do your other favorite read alouds . Pull it out and read it before bedtime to all the kids. Another fun idea is to include an Autograph Page {found here } to the end of their creations so that those that listen to them read can sign their autograph.

Preschool and Kindergarten Writing Lessons ~ a 10 part series | This Reading Mama and The Measured Mom

  • Kids need to understand that, even from a young age, they have a voice. They have something to write about. I love the series I was able to do with The Measured Mom called Preschool & Kindergarten Writing Lessons . In that series, we explored how to model, support and and celebrate early writing and spelling. If you teach younger kids writing, I urge you to look through this amazing resource!
  • Let them write about themselves. I love how this Weekend News writing  from Planet Smarty Pants can feature a built-in audience {her classmates} that can encourage even reluctant writers.

Creative Writing Activities to Make Writing FUN

We also want to sprinkle FUN into our writing instruction at times. While writing may not be fun every day, it’s nice to have a few fun activities in our back pocket when we need them. And here are a few FUN writing ideas.

Writing Longer Sentences - a roll and write activity- This Reading Mama

  • Add some movement with Photo Stacking Blocks . See how my 2nd grader and I explored writing longer sentences in a silly and active way. {These blocks are AWESOME, by the way. We use them for so many activities !}
  • Ditch the pen and paper for a salt tray and chopsticks  {Mama Smiles}. This looks like FUN! And it’s great for handwriting, too!
  • The Educators’ Spin on It shares quite a few ideas for fun writing activities in this great post .

Alphabet Book for Upper and Lower Case Letters

  • Work on handwriting out of the context of writing. Sometimes, kids struggle with the handwriting aspect of writing. I love how creative and hands-on this printable Big and Little Letter from Boy Mama Teacher Mama is for learning handwriting. I also think this printable cursive dominoes game from Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational is pure genius!
  • Put on some instrumental music and create/write stories together . What story does the music tell? What’s happening? This works with fast and slow music, even Christmas music ! This one is super fun and it’s neat to hear each person tell or read what they envisioned after you’re finished.

For More Writing Resources, Visit:

  • Primary Writing Lessons – a 12-week series on teaching writing to grades 1-2 with LOTS of free printables. These lessons are designed to show you HOW to teach writing, not just tell you. 🙂
  • Unleashing the Writer in Your Child – a 5 day series where I explore teaching writing as a craft
  • Roll a Simple Sentence – great for Kindergartners learning about complete sentences
  • Roll a Silly Sentence – a silly way to teach about complete sentences
  • 25 Ways to Make Writing Fun

Creative Writing Ideas

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January 8, 2015 at 9:59 am

Thank you so much for all the great lessons! I really think they help y 4 year old. There are too many distractions in her Pre-k class for her to really pay attention to what she is doing. I wanted to try the 10 Pre-K writing lessons, but the page will not load. Thanks again for all you do for us busy Moms.

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Parent Resources for Learning > Core Skills > 7 Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

7 Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

by Dr. Jody LeVos | May 23, 2023 | Core Skills

Child scribbling on a sketch pad, surrounded by scissors and markers

Writing unlocks a whole new world for kids—suddenly they’re leaving notes for you, creating storybooks about adventures with friends, and feeling like a grown-up as they sign their name on a library or birthday card. It’s also an essential Core Skill , one of the 5 C’s at the heart of the Begin Approach to helping kids thrive in school and life.

Most kids don’t learn to write until age 4 or 5. But it’s never too early to start developing a love for writing! Even if your child can’t yet form letters independently, you can use these pre-writing activities for preschoolers to help them become great writers.

The Short Cut

  • Writing is an essential Core Skill, one of the 5 C’s that help kids thrive in school and life
  • Kids learn to write in stages. They start with scribbling, progress to writing letters, invent spellings based on how words sound (“secint” instead of “second”), and eventually learn to follow conventional spelling rules
  • Pre-writing activities help kids develop capabilities they’ll need to write, including fine motor skills, the ability to draw across the midline, and the understanding that marks on a page can represent real-world objects
  • Parents can help by setting up activities that develop finger dexterity, encourage kids to use crayons and pencils, and introduce kids to forming letters

Stages of Writing

Child drawing in a sketchbook with a colored pencil

Before you start working on pre-writing activities with your child, it’s important to understand the stages of writing development. This will help you choose appropriate activities for your child’s current level.

The Preliterate Stage

The earliest stage of writing development is known as the preliterate stage. At this point, children are just beginning to experiment with making marks on paper or scribbling. They are not yet trying to form letters or numbers.

The Emergent Stage

The next stage is known as the emergent stage. While in this writing stage, children start to understand that marks on paper can represent objects in the world. They experiment with making different marks and begin forming simple shapes independently.

During the emergent stage, you might start recognizing more letters on your child’s paper. Continue to encourage them as they work hard to develop their writing skills.

The Transitional Stage

Next, your child will enter the transitional stage. Here, they begin to use their knowledge of letters and sounds to spell words phonetically. This invented spelling is often creative and not always accurate, but it’s an essential milestone in your child’s writing development.

The Fluent Stage

Finally, they will reach the fluent stage. Of course, they won’t know the correct spelling for every word they write, but they’ll begin using more conventional writing rules.

What are Pre-Writing Activities?

Now that you know more about what to expect at each developmental stage of writing, you can use pre-writing activities to support your child’s growth in this area.

Put simply, pre-writing activities include any activity that helps children practice the skills they will need for writing. They lay the foundation for future writing success by helping children:

  • Develop hand-eye coordination
  • Improve fine motor skills
  • Become comfortable crossing the midline
  • Develop visual perceptual skills
  • Understand that marks on a page can represent objects in the world
  • Experiment with using tools and their fingers to make different kinds of marks

How to Encourage Writing Success

Mother and child working on pre-writing activities together

Keep the below tips in mind to set your child up for success with pre-writing activities.

First, start with simple activities and gradually increase the difficulty as your child masters each one. You don’t want them to get frustrated by a game that’s too hard.

Next, choose activities that are interesting to your child. You want them to see writing as something fun, not a tedious chore.

Then, focus on the positive. Don’t point out all of the mistakes they make. Instead, celebrate their successes. This way, they start to see themselves as a good writer.

Finally, be patient. Learning to write takes time and practice!

7 Fun Pre-Writing Activities

There are endless possibilities when it comes to pre-writing activities for preschoolers . Here are just a few of our favorites.

1. Pom-Poms and Clothespins

Writing requires fine motor skills and finger dexterity. This game helps your child practice both.

What You’ll Need:

  • 12 small pom-poms
  • Muffin tin with 12 holes
  • A clothespin

What to Do:

Put the pom-poms into the bowl. Set the muffin tin and the clothespin nearby.

Ask your child to use the clothespin to transfer the pom-poms to an empty hole in the muffin tin. You might need to demonstrate at first to ensure they figure out the right way to hold the clothespin without getting pinched.

Have them continue moving pom-poms one at a time until they fill each hole. Then, ask them to put the fuzzy balls back into the bowl.

2. Dot Pictures

Children doing dot activities on paper, surrounded by paints

Your child can make a beautiful picture using just their fingertips and some paint!

  • Finger paint
  • A piece of paper

Let your child dip their finger into the paint and then dot it onto their paper. They can make any kind of design they want, whether it’s a picture of a flower or just a bunch of dots in different colors.

They can experiment with new ways of making dots, such as using the sides of their fingers or making big and small dots. They can also see what happens when they mix different colors of paint.

When the painting is dry, ask your child to tell you about what they painted. This step helps them realize that the marks they created have meaning and may even tell a story.

3. Drawing in Shaving Cream

Let your child practice making different lines and shapes with this fun activity.

  • Shaving cream
  • A large, flat surface (such as a cookie sheet)

Spray a glob of shaving cream onto the surface you’re using. Then, ask your child to spread it, creating a thin layer across the surface. Next, show them how you can use a finger to create lines and shapes in the cream.

They can practice making straight lines, curved lines, zigzags, circles, and more. Each type of line is essential for writing since they’re used to form letters.

When your child finishes drawing, ask them to use a finger to trace one line they made. Tracing helps them better understand the concept of a line and is an important skill for learning to write letters in the future.

4. Rainbow Lines

Child putting rainbow artwork on a large window

Crossing the midline is an essential part of learning to write. Encourage your child to practice this range of motion by drawing rainbows.

  • A large piece of paper
  • Two stickers
  • Crayons or colored pencils in all the colors of the rainbow

Put one sticker near one edge of the paper. Then, use the pencil to draw a soft arch from the sticker to the other side of the paper. Finally, place the remaining sticker at the end of your line. The stickers represent your child’s start and end points.

Next, tape the paper to a wall so your child can stand and draw. Show them how to use a crayon or colored pencil to trace the arch and create a rainbow. Remind them to start at the left sticker and end at the right one.

Once they finish their first line, have them try using a different color. After that, they can keep going until they’ve added arches in all the rainbow colors.

Being able to copy simple shapes helps your child pay attention to details. Like many writing games , this one also works on fine motor skills.

  • A shallow tray with sides on it
  • Salt or sand

Note: Make sure to keep an eye on your child during this activity so they don’t try to eat the salt or sand.

Pour a thin layer of salt or sand into the tray. (If you make it too thick, your child won’t be able to see the lines they’re creating).

Using your finger, draw a line straight down the middle of the sand to divide it in half. You now have two separate drawing spaces — one for your child and one for you.

Ask them to draw something on their half of the board. Then, try to recreate what they drew on your half of the board. When you finish, ask your child to compare the two pictures and look for differences.

If they want, you can create a drawing for them to try to copy. However, you’ll want to keep it super simple at first. Otherwise, they might get frustrated.

6. Play Dough Seek and Find

Child's hands stretching out orange play dough, with other play dough chunks around her in pink, green, and white

Can your child use their fine motor skills to uncover the hidden object in the ball of play dough? Let’s find out!

  • A ball of play dough
  • A small object, such as a button or a magnetic letter

Show your child how to flatten the ball of play dough into a pancake. Once it’s flat, use your finger to make a small divot in the center of the play dough.

Drop the small object into the divot and then carefully fold the play dough over it, sealing it all the way around.

Now, give your child the ball of play dough and let them have at it! As they squish and squiggle the dough, encourage them to figure out where the object is hidden and use their fingers to get it out.

7. Play Dough Name Sign

With a bit of play dough, cardboard, glue, and time, your child can create a fun sign with their name!

  • A piece of cardboard
  • An old paintbrush
  • A plastic cup

Help your child create the letters in their name out of play dough. You might need to create a model for each letter they can copy first.

Once your child finishes the letters, set them in a safe place to dry. When everything is ready, dilute some white glue in the plastic cup with a bit of water.

Then, ask your child to brush the glue over the letters to help keep them intact. When they’re dry, add more glue to the back of each letter and stick it onto the cardboard in order. Once all the letters are added, let the sign dry completely.

Pre-Writing Activities for the Win!

Mother and two kids working on pre-writing activities together in the kitchen

The pre-writing activities above can help your child develop the skills they need for early writing success.

For even more literacy fun, check out the HOMER Explore Letters Kit . With magnetic letters, a story board, and games for your child, this kit makes learning letters, writing, and storytelling a blast!

Dr. Jody LeVos

As our Chief Learning Officer, Jody leads a highly knowledgeable team of early learning experts at Begin. She has a Ph.D. in Developmental Science, focused on children’s mathematical and cognitive development.

View all posts

Dr. Jody LeVos

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Top 7 Writing Activities For Kids

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Writing is a core life skill for children to build, and providing them with fun writing activities is a great way to help them get ahead.

Learning specific writing skills, including grammar , spelling , and punctuation , can be overwhelming for some children, so it’s important to provide your child with fun writing activities to help them develop these skills effectively.

At Night Zookeeper, we believe in making writing practice fun at home, and love to come up with new ideas on how you can help your child improve their writing skills!

Here are our top creative writing activities that will transform your child’s attitude towards writing:

1. Story cards

Using story cards is a great creative writing idea that prompts your child to experiment with story starters & endings, different settings , characters , plots , new words, and everything in between!

You can make this fun writing activity as simple or as complex as you’d like, from writing a short sentence in each of the cards, to including images or drawings of what you’d like your child to write about.

This fun activity is great for reluctant writers, as it eases the creative process and helps them through the initial stages of writing a full narrative. It’s also very versatile, and can be effective with preschoolers , as well as with older students!

2. Have fun with mad libs

Mad Libs is a fun activity that prompts children to fill in the gaps in different sentences with the aim to create a unique and funny story. For this fun writing activity, all your young learner will need is a piece of paper, a pen or pencil, and their imagination! Write down a few sentences to form a short story, and leave some gaps for your child to fill in with their own ideas.

Leaving intentional gaps can help your child develop their literacy and writing skills, including when to use nouns, verbs, adjectives , and punctuation to make a story flow. This is also a wonderful creative writing exercise, as the guided storylines will spark new ideas and help to develop students’ imagination.

3. Follow a story map

Who doesn’t love an exciting adventure? You can find lots of different story map worksheets and inspiration online, and they make for fantastically fun writing practice! This is a great way to get your child to explore different story starters and endings, plot lines and twists, while also getting them to use their creative thinking skills as part of their writing practice.

Here’s a free story map to get you started!

creative writing activities for preschoolers

4. Try picture writing prompts

Sometimes it’s difficult to think of a story from scratch, so having a visual prompt to help your child think creatively about writing can go a long way! Picture writing prompts can be the inspiration for many different styles of writing, from story writing , to acrostic poems , and can be a wonderful opportunity for your child to expand their vocabulary, improve descriptive writing skills and work on observation and reflection.

Try these picture writing prompts with your child!

5. Unscramble the sentences

Understanding the rules of sentence structure is crucial for writing quality texts, and this fun writing activity is the perfect way for your child to practice!

There are many ways to play this “writing game”, from writing sentences down on a piece of paper, cutting up the paper and scrambling the sentence pieces for your child to reassemble, to playing it online! Night Zookeeper’s Waterfall World Jumble is a favorite among children who use our program!

6. Write to a pen pal

Writing to a pen pal can be a very fun way for your child to work on their physical and cognitive writing skills. Whether they choose to type, or send a handwritten letter , they’ll be instantly motivated to express themselves clearly and communicate using correct English language practices.

This can be a particularly effective writing practice activity if you’re homeschooling your child , as they’ll get the chance to communicate with other children through writing, which is something that is quite common at school. If you’re a little hesitant about finding a pen pal for your child, you can instead suggest that they regularly write to their future self, and become their own pen pal. Not only will this continue to help your child build writing skills, but the different letters will also make for wonderful memories!

7. Try an online writing program

Night Zookeeper makes writing fantastically fun for your child by turning writing into a game! Whether you’re homeschooling or want to ease your child’s learning process, our writing program for kids will help your child improve skills such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation through a wide variety of games, challenges, and interactive lessons.

Sign up today to get a FREE 7-day trial!

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More Writing Activities

Visit the pages below for more fun writing activities for kids, including free printable worksheets, creative writing prompts, and other fantastically fun educational content:

  • Elementary Writing Activities
  • Elementary Writing Prompts
  • Picture Writing Prompts

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10 Creative Writing Prompts for Preschoolers to Boost Their Learning

creative writing activities for preschoolers

As parents and educators, we are always looking for ways to help our little ones learn and grow. One essential skill that preschoolers need to develop is writing. It can be challenging to engage preschoolers in writing, but with some creative writing prompts, it can be a fun and exciting activity for them. Here are 10 preschool writing activities that can help boost your child’s learning experience.

  • Draw and Write: Encourage your child to draw a picture of something they like and ask them to write a few words about it. For example, if they draw a picture of a flower, they could write the word “flower” or “garden.”
  • Letter Tracing: Give your child a sheet of paper with a letter or word on it and ask them to trace it with a pencil or crayon. This activity can help improve their letter recognition and writing skills.
  • Story Time: Read a story to your child and ask them to draw a picture of their favorite part. Then, ask them to write a sentence or two about the picture they drew.
  • Picture Prompts: Show your child a picture and ask them to write a story about it. You can also ask them to describe the picture using a few words.
  • Play Pretend: Encourage your child to pretend they are someone else and ask them to write a few sentences about their imaginary character. For example, if they pretend to be a superhero, they could write about their superpowers.
  • Labeling: Ask your child to label objects around the house. For example, they can label their bed, toys, or even their own name.
  • Alphabet Hunt: Ask your child to find objects around the house that start with each letter of the alphabet. Then, ask them to write the name of the object next to the corresponding letter.
  • Family Tree: Encourage your child to draw a family tree and write the names of their family members next to each branch.
  • Postcard Writing: Ask your child to write a postcard to a family member or friend. Encourage them to draw a picture on the front and write a few sentences about what they did that day.
  • Journaling: Encourage your child to keep a journal and write a few sentences about their day. This activity can help improve their writing skills and encourage self-reflection.

In conclusion, these preschool writing activities are an excellent way to boost your child’s learning experience. By incorporating these fun and creative writing prompts, your child can improve their writing skills and develop a love for writing that will last a lifetime.

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22 Writing Activities To Help Kids Hone Their Writing Skills

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Written by Maria Kampen

Prodigy English is here! Get your students playing — and learning — today.

Fun writing activities

Creative writing activities, academic writing activities, at-home writing activities, daily writing activities, simple writing prompts for kids.

  • How writing activities can bring reluctant writers out of their shells

Try some other educational activities

When kids start writing, they’re unlocking a whole new world of imagination to explore. It’s a great way for them to be creative, express themselves and practice key reading and writing skills. 

But as most kids — and adults — will tell you, writing is hard! It can be intimidating to put pen to paper for the first time, and sometimes the challenge of a blank page seems like too much to overcome. 

Writing shouldn’t be scary for kids. These 22 fun writing activities can help them:

  • Use their imagination
  • Think up new stories and ideas
  • Share their writing with friends and family

Use them in your classroom or at home to get kids excited about writing!

Three students complete fun writing activities at school.

Writing is supposed to be fun! Use these activities to help kids stretch their imagination and record their thoughts on paper in a fun, low-stress environment.

1. Try online ELA games like Prodigy English

Great for: Grades 1 to 6

Online games are a great way to engage students in the learning process — and Prodigy English is bringing the power of game-based learning to language and reading skill practice!

As students build and create, they’re always practicing key reading and language skills that help them write clearly and effectively. Every correct answer gives players more energy to gather resources, complete daily tasks and earn Wishcoins.

Plus, you can send questions about the topics you want them to practice and collect insights about their learning.

2. Poetry scavenger hunt

Great for: Middle and high school students

Words are all around us, so encourage your students to take inspiration from the real-life writing they see every day. Have students collect printed words and phrases from the world around them, including:

  • Magazine ads
  • Graphic novels
  • Newspaper headlines
  • Social media captions

Students can collect and arrange their words on a piece of paper to make a unique piece of poetry. Encourage them to find a key idea and expand on it in creative ways, then have students share their work with the class. 

3. Create your own comic strip

Great for: Grades 4 to 10

Students learn in all sorts of ways. For visual learners, creating a comic strip to accompany their story can help them express themselves in a visual medium. 

Give students a set number of panels and challenge them to come up with a quick story — just a few sentences. Then, they can illustrate their scene in the style of comic books. 

Remind students the point isn’t to be the best artist — it’s to write a story that’s short and exciting. 

4. Create your own Madlib

Great for: Elementary and middle school students

Give students vocabulary practice and help them write a silly story at the same time!

Fill a sheet with the outline of the story, then remove key words like:

For younger students, add a word bank to get them started. As students fill in words, they’ll craft a unique story filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Young student sits at a table with pencil and paper during creative writing activities.

Once students start getting in the habit of writing, these creative writing activities can pull new ideas out of their heads and encourage them to experiment with different genres. 

5. Acrostics

Great for: Grades 3 to 8

Acrostic poems are a great way to introduce your students to poetry! Start with a meaningful word or name and use it as a theme for the poem. 

Writing the word vertically, students can go down the letters and write a short word or phrase that starts with each letter. Acrostic poems help students write within a structure and theme, so it’s easier for them to get started. 

6. A letter to your future self

Great for: Middle school and high school

Where do your students see themselves in a year? Five years? Ten years?

A letter to their future selves is a great way for students to explore their own story, and brainstorm what they want to achieve. Not only can students practice their letter-writing skills, they can use their imaginations to develop a growth mindset . 

For extra nostalgia, store the letters for students and mail them out once the right amount of time has passed. 

7. Write a “Choose your own adventure” story

Great for: Grades 5 and up

Whether it’s a fairy tale, detective story or drama, chances are you’ve had a student tell you they don’t know how their story is supposed to end. 

A “Choose-your-own-adventure” story lets students brainstorm different storylines and endings. Once they’re done, encourage them to share their stories with the class so their peers can go on the adventure too.

8. Write a fake advertisement

Great for: Grades 6 and up

Good writing doesn’t just happen in books — it’s all around us!

Whether students are writing advertisements on their own or as part of a project-based learning assignment , this activity helps them build key media literacy skills and practice their snappy storytelling. 

Have students make up a new product and advertisement, or encourage them to re-imagine an ad for something they love. It’s also a great way to bring media literacy and interdisciplinary learning to your classroom. 

9. Make a story map

Great for: Grades 2 to 8

Not every student is going to be comfortable putting pen to paper right away. Story maps can help students brainstorm details like plot, characters and setting in a way that makes sense for visual learners. 

Have students use charts to set out the beginning, middle and end of their stories. Mind maps can also help them plot out details about their characters or setting. 

Encourage students to present their story map as a finished product or use it to start writing!

Students works with a textbook, pencil and paper in the classroom.

Writing isn’t all fairy tales and short stories — it’s also an important part of learning in middle school, high school and college. Use these academic writing activities to help students understand proper essay structure, grammar and more. 

10. Story chains

Great for: Grades 4 to 8

Stories are better when they’re enjoyed with friends and classmates. And story chains encourage every student to get involved!

Put students in small groups of three to six. Give each student a blank piece of paper and have them write the beginning of a story. Then, pass it to the next student in the group so they can write what happens next. 

For extra educational value, have students work together to summarize a story from your lesson or an important historical event. 

11. Persuasive essays

Sometimes writing is about more than just telling a story. It’s about convincing your readers of your point of view. 

Have older students practice their debate skills with persuasive essays. Start with a prompt, then let students make their case. Some of our favorite prompts for this writing assignment include:

  • Is it more important to be right or to not hurt someone else’s feelings?
  • What important historical figure do you think belongs on the ten-dollar bill and why?
  • Do you think you’re born with your personality traits, or do you gain them as you grow up?

Most importantly, make sure students back up their opinions with solid facts and arguments that convince readers to care. 

12. Solve a real-world problem

Great for: Grade 6 and up

Climate change, litter, bullying, bad cafeteria food — no matter what students pick, there are lots of real-world problems for them to solve. 

Challenge students with a writing assignment that addresses a problem they see in their world. How would they fix it? Whether it’s a short paragraph or a longer essay, encourage them to find something they’re passionate about. After all, that’s where good writing comes from!

13. Vocabulary challenge

Great for: Elementary school students

Vocabulary challenges combine vocabulary strategies with student writing to make your next language arts lesson plan even more engaging. 

Give students a new word (or two or three). Once you’re done practicing it and they know what it means, challenge them to use it in a story as creatively as possible. 

14. Teach citations

Great for: Grades 1 to 12

Footnotes, endnotes and bibliographies are the least exciting part of writing, but they’re essential skills. As students write more complex research papers, they need to know how to give credit where credit is due. Thankfully, there are lots of online resources to help!

The Purdue Online Writing Lab offers teachers and students resources for all stages of the writing process, including citations. To practice, students can write an annotated bibliography as part of a project-based learning assignment or the first step in writing a longer research paper. 

Young girls works with her father on writing activities on their couch.

Writing isn’t just something happening in the classroom. These at-home writing ideas can help you support your child as they experiment with prose and poetry.

15. Write letters to a pen pal

Great for: Grades 3 and up

Everyone likes getting mail! Got a friend with kids in a different part of the country, or far-away family members? A pen pal can be a great way for kids to build friendships and practice their writing skills at the same time. 

16. Bring a home object to life

“It’s as big as a mountain!”

“That’s the fluffiest thing I’ve ever felt!”

The ways kids describe things can crack us up sometimes. Full of wonder and hyperbole, it’s the perfect spark for creative writing, too.

Encourage kids to practice their figurative language skills with a description of something in your home. Let them pack as much alliteration and exaggeration into the description as they can, then do a dramatic reading out loud.  

17. Write reading reactions

If you want to boost reading comprehension and writing skills at the same time, this is the perfect activity. After your child is done reading, encourage them to write a few sentences about what they just read. 

Did they like it? What do they think happens next? Which character was their favorite and why? Learning how to express opinions in writing is a valuable skill. 

18. Document family stories

Great for: Grades 4 and up

Every family has a unique story, including yours. Make memories with your child when you share stories about important family events or your childhood. 

Kids can even interview grandparents, aunts and uncles to record their memories. When you’re done, store them in a shared space so everyone can go back and reminisce.

A person sits at a desk with a notebook, paper, pen and coffee cup.

Writing is a muscle, and you have to flex it every day to get stronger. Use these daily writing activities to make writing part of your everyday routine. 

19. Journaling

Great for: Everyone

Sometimes, you’ve just gotta write it out. 

Whether you’re trying to make sense of life or just need a place to organize your thoughts, journaling is a great way to unwind, practice mindfulness and build social emotional skills . 

All kids need to get started is a notebook and a pen. Let them know you’re not going to read it, but they’re welcome to come to you if there’s something they want to talk about. 

20. Blog about your interests

Great for: High school and up

Everyone’s passionate about something. Whatever your students love, encourage them to share it with the world! Blogging is an accessible and fun way to express themselves, nerd out about the things that bring them joy and share their opinions with the world. 

Sites like WordPress and Wix offer free website builders to help students get started. This is a great way for kids to build computer skills and digital literacy .

21. Free writing

Write, write, write and don’t stop. That’s the premise behind free writing, a writing practice that can help unlock creativity, discover new ideas and take the pressure out of a blank page. 

Give students a five-minute timer and challenge them to write continuously, without worrying about formatting, spelling or grammar. They can write about whatever they want, but there’s only one rule: don’t stop. 

22. Answer daily writing prompts

Make time to exercise your brain with daily writing prompts! At the start of the day or as a quick brain break , set aside time for students to respond to a quick daily writing prompt. 

Students should have a dedicated journal or binder to make it a seamless part of your lessons. Whether or not you choose to read their writing is up to you, but it’s important to build good daily habits. 

Teacher and child sit in the classroom and work on writing activities together.

A blank page can be a scary sight for a student who doesn’t know what to write about. 

Use writing prompts to:

  • Kickstart a student’s imagination
  • Start your lesson with a fun writing activity
  • Give students a topic to debate in writing

Some of our favorite simple writing prompts include:

  • Write a story about a wooden door, a can of soda and a blue shoe. 
  • If you met a monster looking for new friends, what would you do?
  • What’s your favorite season? What makes it the best?
  • If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
  • Describe your dream birthday cake. 
  • Write a story about being cold without using the word “cold.”
  • If you could decorate your bedroom any way you wanted, what would it look like?
  • Is it better to have lots of friends or just a few really good friends?
  • Write a story in 10 words or less.
  • Write a story about the best surprise you’ve ever received. 

For more writing prompts you can use in and out of the classroom, check out our full list of 225 writing prompts for kids .

Writing activities can bring reluctant writers out of their shells

Writing is hard and can be intimidating for a lot of students. 

But even the quietest and most reluctant students have lots of stories to tell! You just have to encourage them to get their words out. 

Writing activities help remove some of the pressure and give students:

  • A fun way to approach writing 
  • A starting point for their stories
  • Chances to share their writing with students

No two stories are the same, just like your students. Every story can start in a different way, and that’s the beauty of writing prompts.

Whether it’s writing activities or math problems, there are lots of ways to get reluctant learners excited about your lessons with educational activities. 

Here are some of our favorites:

  • 37 Quick & Easy Brain Breaks for Kids
  • 30 Virtual School Activities Students & Educators Love  
  • 27 Best Educational Games for Kids to Play Sorted by Subject  
  • 15 Geometry Activities to Engage Students Across Grade Levels
  • 36 Fun Word Games for Kids To Help with Vocabulary & Literacy
  • 15 Fun, Free & Effective Multiplication Games For Your Classroom
  • 20 Exciting Math Games for Kids to Skyrocket New Math Skills On-The-Go
  • 21 Classroom Games to Boost Teacher Effectiveness and Student Learning
  • 25 Social Emotional Learning Activities & How They Promote Student Well-Being

Which ones can you use in your next lesson?

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Sign up for your free teacher account and get access to teacher tools that help you differentiate learning and track student progress as they play.

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33 Sensory Kindergarten and Preschool Writing Activities

Writing Tools and Writing Games and Activities

Kindergarten and preschool writing activities are so fun when you use more senses!  Young children learn drawing shapes and writing letters better when fun fine motor activities are a part of it. The best way to help a child practice is using more of the senses.  

Before you begin practicing shapes and letters, make sure your kids are ready!

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I have come across many students who aren’t ready for printing, but their curriculums have them participating in preschool writing activities. 

Additionally, I see many kindergarten classrooms that begin printing right away when students are taught letter sounds.  The programs have the kiddos learning to print lowercase letters…. on 3-lined paper!! 

[To be honest, it makes me cringe a little.] 

A small percentage of kids have success with it… their fine motor and visual motor skills are above average.  They’ve likely had proper play and developmental opportunities in their preschool years.

On the flip side, the rest of the students really struggle.  In kindergarten!  They don’t have the foundational  pre-writing skills  that they need.  But they’re expected to start printing.  And the expectation is to start printing on lines like first graders!  

The child’s hand and brain is so focused on trying to use the lines that they aren’t even learning  proper letter formation .

[To those of you who follow the developmental sequence and focus on pre-writing before you begin, thank you!  I’ve been in many of your rooms as well and – as some say in kindergarten… it makes my heart happy!!  haha]

If you’re as passionate about this as I am… help these little ones by spreading the word.  Encourage and advocate for  readiness skills first ! 

Skills Needed for Kindergarten and Preschool Writing Activities

As noted in the  Pre-Writing Skills  post, there are important foundational skills needed before kids start printing.  (Click on the links in the list for more information.)

Body and brain readiness skills for printing and writing can include the following:

  • Sensory processing  skills
  • Gross motor imitative skills
  • Body awareness
  • Core strength and stability
  • Adequate  posture for sitting
  • Interest and motivation
  • Ability to  follow directions  
  • Attention to task
  • Directionality & position understanding
  • Bilateral coordination
  • Crossing midline
  • Hand dominance
  • Pincer grip, skill finger, and  grasp development
  • Hand dexterity  to control the end of the pencil
  • Eye muscle control
  • Visual perception (MANY subset skills involved)
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Visual motor integration
  • Visual memory (letter identification!)

Many of these skills  start  to develop in late toddlers and in preschoolers.  They  continue  to develop and become more refined in preschool, kindergarten and first grade. 

Occupational Therapy Tips for Pre-Writing and Writing Activities in Preschool and Kindergarten

Before I share the multi-sensory activities, I’ll cover a few basic tips that I used when working on practicing pre-writing and writing skills. 

First, children’s brains, bodies and hands need multiple ways to practice different skills.  They need a variety of  sensory input to help build a foundation for learning .

Second, a variety of  movement and brain break activities  are needed to help preschoolers and kindergarteners increase their interest and attention.  Then, they’ll learn to sit for longer when it actually comes to drawing and printing. 

Third, in order to build the skills needed for writing, the activities have to be fun!  Which is so easy for young kids… their “workdays” are filled with play, games and fun activities. 

The fun activity you choose for learning has to be motivating.  Find what your kids like.  Follow their lead with the theme, tools, and toys that you use for the pre-writing skills activities. 

Fourth, use different tools and mediums to help all the muscles in their little hands.  This gives practice holding and controlling basic shapes with different motions when practicing pencil strokes needed for printing. 

Additionally, pre-writing activities should also include opportunities for free drawing to develop skills and creativity.  Get creative with your writing center.  It does not always have to involve letters and numbers.  Kids Country Learning Centers share  benefits of drawing time for kids .

Finally, as often as possible, use large  vertical spaces  on a large piece of paper or a chalkboard.  The vertical position really helps kids to see and feel the motion of what is being drawn.  It helps visually, and it helps build muscles for printing.

[Amazon Affiliate links are used in the following sections for your convenience, no extra cost for you.  See below for more info.]

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Fun Tools to Use for Drawing, Coloring, Pre-Writing and Printing During Kindergarten and Preschool Writing Activities  

As I mentioned, it’s great to try different tools and mediums for drawing forms, shapes, letters and numbers.  Specific tools at certain ages help a child’s ability to  develop grasping skills .

Toddlers and younger preschoolers need tools that promote a rounded palm, and tools that place their thumb on the opposite side of their other fingers.  I’ll list some “drawing” tools in a sequential order. 

Some items should be broken in half or even in thirds – this helps kids place only the pads of their fingers on the tools, rather than grasping with their whole hand or all of their fingers.

Fun Drawing, Coloring, Pre-Writing and Printing Tools

  • Potato or small apple cut in half (used with washable paint)
  • Egg crayons
  • Sidewalk chalk  (broken in half for all fingertips)
  • Peanut crayons
  • Chubby crayons
  • Triangle crayons  (broken in half for the pads of the thumb, index and middle fingers)
  • Vibrating pens  – great for added tactile and proprioceptive feedback
  • Jumbo pencils  (cut in half! See image)
  • Jumbo crayons  (broken in half or thirds)
  • Regular crayons
  • Q-tips (when kids are using their three fingers on tools)
  • Flip crayons  (good for dexterity)
  • Regular dustless chalk  (broken in half or thirds)
  • Golf pencils  or  Learning Without Tears Pencils
  • Regular pencils

Use this progression of drawing tools as you help your kids with pre-writing and printing.

33 Preschool and Kindergarten Writing Activities

A couple tips that I would like to share professionally as an occupational therapist: I avoid tracing letters and using dry erase markers.  Too much tracing causes young kids to just cover up what they see without feeling and learning the motion.  Additionally, for young children with sensory difficulties, dry erase markers tend to be too slippery and they’re not able to develop muscle memory for each letter stroke.  

The following are a list of hands-on activities that help support printing.  Use these activities to work on shapes, letters, numbers, and/or name writing. 

1.  Dance Ribbons  and  Scarves  

Practice pre-writing motions with ribbons or scarves (this is also great for crossing midline, posture and gross motor skills.)  Reinforce the writing process by first focusing on various writing strokes – using LARGE movements.  Have kids move their entire arm in different positions (vertical lines, horizontal lines, diagonals,  counterclockwise circles, etc.  Add directionality terms such as top, middle, bottom and left-right.  Use a ribbon or scarf as a large writing tool to draw letters or numbers in the air.

2. Cars or Figurines

Use cars to drive in circles, diagonal lines, paths, shapes, on tape on the floor or on a vertical surface.  Or have figurines walk through straight lines and paths that make shapes.  Work on vertical lines, horizontal lines, diagonals, circles, triangles, square, etc.  Add arrows and give directional terms (“Start at the top and drive down!”)

3.  Popsicle Sticks

Build shapes and letters with popsicle sticks.  Initially, practice copying from a model. As young kids develop better perception skills, have them make shapes and forms from memory.

4.  Handwriting / Learning Without Tears Wood Pieces

Practice pre-writing strokes, pre-writing shapes and capital letters. This set is great for visual perception and fine motor skills. (The program is developed by a pediatric occupational therapist. See more of her tools below.)

5. Sticks or Rocks

Incorporate nature and the outdoors into learning. Go for a walk outdoors and gather sticks and/or rocks. Build shapes and letters with them.

6. Learning Without Tears  Stamp and See Screen

These are great for capitals and learning directionality.  The size of the magnet pieces in this set are great for helping young kids with grasp development.

7. Play Dough  

Add sensory input and work on building strength in the hands with play dough.  Make sure kids build designs, letters and shapes correctly.  

Additional use for play dough: flatten onto the desk top and work on pencil grip using a plastic tool or stylus to draw.

8. Roll-a-Dough Letters  (Learning Without Tears)

This set uses playdoh in a packaged container with a tray for building. There are laminated capital letter and number cards with this set.

9. Pre-Writing Stencil Patterns  or  Large Stencil Shapes

Use the pre-writing stencils with a variety of tools to follow the paths, designs and shapes.  The large stencils are great for staying inside the edge of each shape. These are both great for pencil control AND bilateral coordination.

10.  Magnetic Maze Board Toy

This fun play or writing center activity works on grasping, letter recognition, visual focus, visual tracking, and visual motor control as letters are matched.  (There is also a number board available.)

11.  Magnet Letter Boards

These are so fun for kids who show readiness skills.  Just make sure they follow the correct motions when they trace the magnet beads.  The boards show directions by number, but please encourage continuous motions when making a, b, d, e, g, h, m, n, p, q, r, and u.

12. Magnets and Paper Plates

Use magnets on the top and bottom of plates with shapes or letters or numbers drawn on them – add arrows to letters and numbers to help with formation.

[Click on  this link to see specific directions and examples in another blog post  – kids, parents and teachers LOVE this activity!]

13. Chalk on a Chalkboard

Chalk gives great feedback to the hands when learning letter formation.  I love when schools have a vertical chalkboard to use for the wet-dry-try method with  sponge cubes .  If there’s no large chalkboard, I use the small  slate chalkboard  from Learning Without Tears.  It’s a fun activities that my students have always loved.

14. Chalk on Large Construction Paper

When chalkboards are not available, large pieces of construction paper combined with the chalk are a great way to give feedback to improve muscle memory. Small pieces of chalk are great for building strength to work on pencil grip.

15.  Window Crayons  on a Glass Door Window

These provide more resistance than markers.  The resistance gives more sensory feedback to help increase muscle memory.  Break them in half to improve grasping skills.  The scrubbing to clean it off is also a great way to work on arm strength and crossing midline!

16.  Dry Erase Crayons  on a Whiteboard or Whiteboard Table

Again, these provide increased resistance to the fine motor muscles. This helps the brain learn the motions better. Especially for kids who need more proprioceptive input and feedback.

creative writing activities for preschoolers

17. Shaving Cream

This is such a classic and fun activity. It’s an easy way to give kids tactile input when practicing formations.  

So many kids are a little picky with textures, this is important for the brain and hands. Add sand or salt for even more texture for young kids who tolerate the smooth texture.

18.  Sand Tray  

This cool kit comes with letter cards – ready to go for your writing center. Kids can isolate and use their index finger, use plastic tools, or use cotton swabs to draw in these.  You can also rub chalk shavings into the sand to create fun colors!

19. Salt Tray

Sprinkle salt onto a tray or paper plate. Use a dark background with white salt. Rub pastel chalk shavings or subtle spices and herbs for color and a seasonal scent.

20. Rice Tray

Mix food coloring with dry rice to increase visual stimuli. (Make sure it’s fully dry before placing on your tray.) Skip the food coloring, and add a thin layer of water to the rice tray to change the texture.

21. Pasta Tray

Similar to the rice tray! Add food coloring, add a little water, and/or crush the pasta. Use different sizes and types of pasta on different trays to vary the texture and feeling for the index finger.

22. Squishy Bags

Fill Ziploc bags with finger paint or hair gel.  Add glitter or confetti for added visual interest.  Make sure whatever you choose, you place it over a contrasting firm surface.  Use the index finger for drawing.

23.  Wikki Sticks  

Bend and form shapes, letters or numbers before tracing with fingers (following the correct directions.) Stick to a vertical surface for added core and shoulder work, as well as improved visual presentation.

24. Pipe Cleaners

Bend and form pipe cleaners into different shapes and numbers. Use a magnet wand to pick them up in a certain sequential order in your writing center.

25. Flashlight or  Laser Light Pointer  

Work on visual tracking, memory, imagery, closure, etc with this cool activity.  Draw and write with the lights on a wall, ceiling, floor, desktop, etc.  Make sure to pick contrasting, plain backgrounds for this activity.  Darken the room when possible.

26. Draw on the Carpet with the Index Finger

During circle time, what a simple way to add tactile feedback to the fingers than using your carpet.  Make sure students are squared up (all facing the same way) when they draw or write with their index finger.  This helps them see and form each shape, letter or number correctly.

27. Palm or Forearm Drawing

Have kids use their index finger to practice drawing on their opposite palm or opposite bare forearm.  Extra tactile input to the palms gives great input to the brain.  And kids are able to control and expect the input as they do it themselves.  

28. Partner Drawing on Back

Kids pair up; one draws a shape, letter or number on his/her partner’s back.  The partner guesses what is drawn.  (Do you remember this one when you were younger?- I loved it!) 

29. Draw on Paper Placed on Top of Sandpaper

Using a pencil or other writing tool to draw on paper placed over sandpaper. This is a great way to provide extra input to the muscles.  It helps your kids who need more motor feedback.

30. Use a Crayon on Paper Placed on Top of a  Bumpy Craft Screen

This is a great sensory activity (I actually remember doing this when I was in kindergarten!)  I buy craft screens and place construction or printing paper over top.  The crayon leaves a great texture for tracing with the finger after the shape is drawn. 

31. Tear Tissue Paper to Build Letters and Numbers

Tearing small pieces of paper builds bilateral skills and fine motor strength. Building each shape or letter helps develop visual perception as well. It works on position in space and directionality.

32. Cotton Swabs and Paint

Work on visual motor skills and grasp development with this fun activity. Kids dip the cotton swab into a little paint.

They can make lines to fill in outlines or they can dab dots inside shape, letter or number outlines. Just make sure they follow the proper motions to form each one.

33. Simple Mazes

Mazes are one of my favorite activities to work on pencil control, visual tracking, motor control, and hand-eye coordination. These fine motor skills are so important for writing.

Find mazes for your writing center that focus on pre-writing strokes and diagonal lines.

Related Posts for Pre-Writing and Printing for Preschool and Kindergarten

For more ways to help your kiddos, especially when you start teaching actual printing, check out  Form Letters Properly with These 9 Helpful Tips .  There are also links to handwriting programs in this post.

Make sure kids sit with  good posture .  Explore  Flexible Seating Options  to help with posture and attention. Incorporate  core exercises  as needed to give their bodies stability for fine motor skills.  

For more fun OT activities and games that support pre-writing and writing:

How to Improve Reading with 15+ Visual Skills Activities

42 Easy Visual Perceptual Activities to Support Learning

Tactile Learning: A Unique Hands on Activity

An Easy Visual Motor Activity Using Magnets (Here’s the link again, in case you missed it in the list of activities.)

Mechanical Pencils vs. Wooden Pencils

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Amy Hathaway MOT, OTR/L, CIMI-2 is a licensed and registered occupational therapist.  She is the founder of Develop Learn Grow. 

Amy has 21 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist.   She enjoys collaborating with teachers, parents, therapists, administrators, and support staff in preschools & schools, as well as coaching and guiding parents of infants and toddlers in their homes.

She is married and has three children.  Click to read Amy’s bio.  

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Promoting Preschoolers’ Emergent Writing

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Emergent writing is young children’s first attempts at the writing process. Children as young as 2 years old begin to imitate the act of writing by creating drawings and symbolic markings that represent their thoughts and ideas (Rowe & Neitzel 2010; Dennis & Votteler 2013). This is the beginning of a series of stages that children progress through as they learn to write (see “Stages of Emergent Writing”). Emergent writing skills, such as the development of namewriting proficiency, are important predictors of children’s future reading and writing skills (National Center for Family & Literacy 2008; Puranik & Lonigan 2012).

Teachers play an important role in the development of 3- to 5-year-olds’ emergent writing by encouraging children to communicate their thoughts and record their ideas (Hall et al. 2015). In some early childhood classrooms, however, emergent writing experiences are almost nonexistent. One recent study, which is in accord with earlier research, found that 4- and 5-year-olds (spread across 81 classrooms) averaged just two minutes a day either writing or being taught writing (Pelatti et al. 2014). This article shares a framework for understanding emergent writing and ties the framework to differentiating young children’s emergent writing experiences.

Understanding emergent writing

Researchers and educators often use the term emergent literacy to define a broad set of language and literacy skills focused primarily on the development and significance of emergent reading skills. To better understand writing development—and to support teachers’ work with young children—researchers have proposed a framework to explain emergent writing practices (Puranik & Lonigan 2014). The framework is composed of three domains: conceptual knowledge, procedural knowledge, and generative knowledge.

Conceptual knowledge includes learning the function of writing. In this domain, young children learn that writing has a purpose and that print is meaningful (i.e., it communicates ideas, stories, and facts). For example, young children become aware that the red street sign says Stop and the letters under the yellow arch spell McDonald’s . They recognize that certain symbols, logos, and markings have specific meanings (Wu 2009).

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Generative knowledge describes children’s abilities to write phrases and sentences that convey meaning. It is the ability to translate thoughts into writing that goes beyond the word level (Puranik & Lonigan 2014). During early childhood, teachers are laying the foundation for generative knowledge as children learn to express themselves orally and experiment with different forms of written communication, such as composing a story, writing notes, creating lists, and taking messages. Children can dictate words, phrases, or sentences that an adult can record on paper, or they can share ideas for group writing.

Developing conceptual, procedural, and generative knowledge of writing

Children gain knowledge of and interest in writing as they are continually exposed to print and writing in their environment. There are multiple strategies teachers can use to scaffold children’s writing, such as verbally reminding children to use writing in their classroom activities and providing appropriate writing instructions (Gerde, Bingham, & Wasik 2012). By being aware of children’s current fine motor abilities and their progress in emergent writing, teachers can use a mix of strategies to foster growth in each child’s zone of proximal development (Vygotsky 1978).

Practicing name writing

One of the first words children usually learn to write is their first name (Both-de Vries & Bus 2008). Name writing increases children’s conceptual and procedural knowledge. Names are meaningful to children, and preschoolers typically are interested in learning to write the letters in their name, especially the first letter (Both-de Vries & Bus 2008). Namewriting proficiency provides a foundation for other literacy knowledge and skills; it is associated with alphabet knowledge, letter writing, print concepts, and spelling (Cabell et al. 2009; Drouin & Harmon 2009; Puranik & Lonigan 2012).

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Preschoolers benefit from daily writing experiences, so it is helpful to embed writing in the daily routine, such as having children write (or attempt to write) their names at sign-in and during choice times. Be sensitive to preschoolers’ varying levels of fine motor skills and promote the joy of experimenting with the art of writing, regardless of a child’s current skill level. Encourage invented spelling (Ouellette & Sénéchal 2017) and attempts at writing letters or letter-like symbols.

creative writing activities for preschoolers

As Ms. Han’s preschoolers enter the classroom, they sign in, with parental support, by writing their names on a whiteboard at the classroom entrance. Children in Ms. Noel’s classroom go to a special table and sign in as they enter the room. Ms. Patel instructs her preschoolers to answer the question of the day by writing their names under their chosen answers. Today, the children write their names to answer the question “What are your favorite small animals—piglets, ducklings, or kittens?” Juan and Maria help their friends read the question and write their names under the appropriate headings. Pedro writes Pdr under the piglets heading, Anthony writes his complete name under ducklings, and Tess writes the letter T under kittens. In Mr. Ryan’s class, children write their names during different activities. Today, children sign in as they pretend to visit the doctor in one learning center and sign for a package delivery in another. Meanwhile, Tommy walks around the room asking other preschoolers to sign their names in the autograph book he created in the writing center.

Tips for teachers

  • Develop a sign-in or sign-out routine that allows children to write, or attempt to write, their names each day. In some classrooms, or for some children, the routine may begin with writing the first letter instead of the whole name or with scribbling letterlike symbols.
  • Use peer helpers to aid children with the name-writing process.
  • Model writing your name and promote name-writing activities in several centers through the day, such as having children sign their name as they write a prescription or when they complete a painting.

Learning from teacher modeling

creative writing activities for preschoolers

When Ms. Noel sits with the children during snack, she talks with them about the different foods they like to eat. Ben tells her he likes chicken. She writes on a small whiteboard, “Ben likes chicken.” She asks Ben to read the phrase to a friend. Later, Ben writes the phrase himself.

Mr. Ryan conducts a sticky note poll. He creates a giant spiderweb and writes the question, “Are you afraid of spiders? Yes or no.” He gives the children sticky notes so each can write either yes or no and then place it on the giant web. This activity is followed by a discussion of spiders.

  • Explicitly model writing by showing the writing process to children and thinking aloud while writing. Instead of writing the question of the day or the morning message before the children arrive, write it in front of them.
  • ​Label specific items in the room, and draw children’s attention to the written words. Write out functional phrases on signs related to routines, such as “Take three crackers” or “Wash hands before eating,” then read and display the signs.
  • ​Have the children paint large classroom signs related to themes being explored, such as the National Weather Station, Snack Bar, Public Library, or Entomology Center.

Writing throughout the day

Preschoolers enjoy experimenting with the writing process. Emergent writing experiences can include spontaneous writing during center time and teacherguided writing activities. Writing can become an important component of every learning center in the preschool classroom (Pool & Carter 2011), especially if teachers strategically place a variety of writing materials throughout the classroom and offer specific guidance on using the materials (Mayer 2007). (See “Learning Centers: Adding Meaningful Writing Materials and Literacy Props.”)

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Teachers can intentionally promote peer-to-peer scaffolding by having children participate in collaborative writing experiences. Read-alouds are also a wonderful means of promoting writing; there are a number of stories that feature characters in books writing letters, stories, messages, and lists (see “Books That Promote Writing”). Model writing stories, making lists, or labeling objects, and then encourage your preschoolers to write a response letter to a character in a story, create their own storybook, or write a wish list or a shopping list. Such a variety of writing experiences will also build their generative knowledge of writing.

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Ms. Han has strategically placed a variety of writing materials throughout the classroom—a scientific journal in the discovery area so children can record their observations and ideas; a graph paper notebook in the block area for drafting blueprints with designs and words; and a receipt book, paper, and markers in the dramatic play area. Savannah sits at the discovery center looking at a classroom experiment. Ms. Han asks, “Savannah, could you write about your observations in our science journal?” Savannah begins writing in the journal.

Three boys are playing in the block area. Ms. Han asks, “What are you building?” Marcus replies, “We are going to build a rocket ship.” Ms. Han says, “Could you create a blueprint of your rocket and then build it?” The boys eagerly begin drawing a plan. Several children in the dramatic play center are drawing different types of flowers for a flower market. Ms. Han says, “In a flower market, signs tell customers what is for sale and how much it costs. Would you like to create some signs?” The children readily agree and start to create signs.

  • Strategically place writing materials, such as sticky notes, small chalkboards, whiteboards, envelopes, clipboards, journals, stencils, golf pencils, markers, and various types, sizes, and colors of paper throughout the classroom.
  • Provide specific teacher guidance to scaffold children’s writing. While some children may be off and running with an open-ended question, others might be better supported if the teacher helps write their ideas—at least to get them started.
  • Create writing opportunities connected to your current classroom themes or topics of interest. Involve the children in collaborative writing projects, such as creating a diorama after a farm visit and making labels for the different animals and the barn. With teacher support, the class could also develop a narrative to describe their farm visit.

Home–school connection

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Ms. Noel wants to strengthen home–school connections with the families in her program. She decides to introduce the children to Chester (a stuffed teddy bear). She tells the children that Chester wants to learn more about what the children do at home and to go on some weekend adventures. She says, “Each weekend, Chester will travel home with a child in our class. During the time Chester stays at your house, take pictures of the activities you do with Chester and write about them in the Chester Weekend Adventures journal. At the beginning of the week, bring Chester and the journal back to school to share what you did. We will put Chester and the journal in the classroom library when he is not on a visit, so everyone can see where he has been.” The children are excited about taking Chester home and writing about their adventures.

  • Find writing opportunities that strengthen home–school connections. For example, encourage families to create books at home related to a particular theme or a specific topic. Invite children to share their books with the class and then add them to the library.
  • Invite families to share the types of writing activities their children engage in at home. Encourage parents to establish routines that include writing lists, messages, stories, and letters.
  • Give families postcards to mail to friends in other states and countries. Have them ask their friends to mail a reply to the preschool class. Create a display of the return messages and postcards.

Teachers play an important role in promoting emergent writing development by scaffolding writing activities that engage young children in building their conceptual, procedural, and generative knowledge. Writing can easily be embedded in daily routines as children write their names, engage in learning centers, practice writing for a purpose based on teacher and peer models, and contribute to group writing activities. Be intentional during interactions with children and incorporate best practices. Promote the development of emergent writing—and emergent literacy—by implementing purposeful strategies that encourage writing in the classroom and at home. Teachers who provide young children with a diverse array of early writing experiences lay the foundation for kindergarten readiness. 

Authors’ note:  A special thanks to all of the teachers who participated in the Striving Readers Literacy Program and shared their literacy ideas. Thanks to Barbara Berrios for sharing the Chester Bear idea.

Both-de Vries, A.C., & A.G. Bus. 2008. “Name Writing: A First Step to Phonetic Writing? Does the Name Have a Special Role in Understanding the Symbolic Function of Writing?” Literacy Teaching and Learning 12 (2): 37–55.

Cabell, S.Q., L.M. Justice, T.A. Zucker, & A.S. McGinty. 2009. “Emergent Name-Writing Abilities of Preschool-Age Children with Language Impairment.” Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools 40 (1): 53–66.

Dennis, L.R., & N.K. Votteler. 2013. “Preschool Teachers and Children’s Emergent Writing: Supporting Diverse Learners.” Early Childhood Education Journal 41 (6): 439–46.

Drouin, M., & J. Harmon. 2009. “Name Writing and Letter Knowledge in Preschoolers: Incongruities in Skills and the Usefulness of Name Writing as a Developmental Indicator.” Early Childhood Research Quarterly 24 (3): 263–70.

Gerde, H.K., G.E. Bingham, & B.A. Wasik. 2012. “Writing in Early Childhood Classrooms: Guidance for Best Practices.” Early Childhood Education Journal 40 (6): 351–59.

Hall, A.H., A. Simpson, Y. Guo, & S. Wang. 2015. “Examining the Effects of Preschool Writing Instruction on Emergent Literacy Skills: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” Literacy Research and Instruction 54 (2): 115–34.

Mayer, K. 2007. “Emerging Knowledge about Emergent Writing.” Young Children 62 (1): 34–41.

National Center for Family Literacy. 2008. Developing Early Literacy: A Scientific Synthesis of Early Literacy Development and Implications for Intervention. Report of the National Early Literacy Panel . Washington, DC: National Institute for Literacy.

Neumann, M.M., M. Hood, & R.M. Ford. 2013. “Using Environmental Print to Enhance Emergent Literacy and Print Motivation.” Reading and Writing 26 (5): 771–93.

Ouellette, G., & M. Sénéchal. 2017. “Invented Spelling in Kindergarten as a Predictor of Reading and Spelling in Grade 1: A New Pathway to Literacy, or Just the Same Road, Less Known?” Developmental Psychology 53 (1): 77–88.

Pelatti, C.Y., S.B. Piasta, L.M. Justice, & A. O’Connell. 2014. “Language- and Literacy-Learning Opportunities in Early Childhood Classrooms: Children’s Typical Experiences and Within-Classroom Variability.” Early Childhood Research Quarterly 29 (4): 445–56.

Pool, J.L., & D.R. Carter. 2011. “Creating Print-Rich Learning Centers.” Teaching Young Children 4 (4): 18–20.

Puranik, C.S., & C.J. Lonigan. 2012. “Name-Writing Proficiency, Not Length of Name, Is Associated with Preschool Children’s Emergent Literacy Skills.” Early Childhood Research Quarterly 27 (2): 284–94.

Puranik, C.S., & C.J. Lonigan. 2014. “Emergent Writing in Preschoolers: Preliminary Evidence for a Theoretical Framework.” Reading Research Quarterly 49 (4): 453–67.

Rowe, D.W., & C. Neitzel. 2010. “Interest and Agency in 2- and 3-Year-Olds’ Participation in Emergent Writing.” Reading Research Quarterly 45 (2): 169–95.

Schickedanz, J.A., & R.M. Casbergue. 2009. Writing in Preschool: Learning to Orchestrate Meaning and Marks . 2nd ed. Preschool Literacy Collection. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

Vygotsky, L.S. 1978. Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes . Ed. & trans. M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Souberman. Rev. ed. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Wu, L.Y. 2009. “Children’s Graphical Representations and Emergent Writing: Evidence from Children’s Drawings.” Early Child Development and Care 179 (1): 69–79.  

Photographs: pp. 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, courtesy of the authors; p. 74, © iStock

Teresa A. Byington, PhD, is an associate professor and extension specialist in early childhood education at the University of Nevada, Reno–Cooperative Extension. Her expertise includes early childhood language and literacy, social-emotional development, and professional development of teachers (coaching and training). [email protected]

YaeBin Kim, PhD, is an associate professor and extension specialist at the University of Nevada, Reno–Cooperative Extension. Her areas of specialization include emergent language and literacy, parenting education, and child development. [email protected]

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Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

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Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

Preschool is about setting the foundation for the rest of a child’s education. Although children are typically not learning to write at the preschool age, learning to write is a fundamental building block for education. Instead of teaching preschoolers how to write, preschool teachers usually create ways for children to mentally, academically, and physically prepare for writing. This focus on pre-writing helps get them ready in a fun, engaging way.

What are pre-writing activities?

There is a lot preschoolers must learn before they even pick up a pencil. Since preschoolers typically are not quite ready to learn how to read or write, pre-writing activities prepare them for writing. Writing requires not only an understanding of the alphabet and the concept of words and sentences, but it also requires the use of motor skills and advanced comprehension. Pre-writing activities can equip children to excel in writing (and reading) throughout their school years.

child playing with blue, red, yellow, and green play dough

The importance of pre-writing activities

Since preschoolers typically aren't quite ready to read or write, pre-writing activities prepare them for both. 

Reading requires not just an understanding of the alphabet and the concept of words and sentences but a higher level of comprehension. Learning that letters make words, words make sentences, and sentences convey messages and ideas is a process. Pre-writing is the start of that journey toward reading.

Writing also requires an understanding of the alphabet and the concept of words and sentences, but it also requires motor skills and even more advanced comprehension. Reading sentences and understanding their messages is one skill; conceptualizing their ideas and conveying them into letters, words, sentences, and even paragraphs is an additional skill. Pre-writing activities can equip children to excel in reading and writing throughout their school years. 

What pre-writing activities teach children 

Pre-writing is a gentle introduction to the concept and practice of writing. It’s so important because it teaches children a lot of what they will need to master to become a great writer. Those skills take time to hone, so it’s great to start practicing early. Pre-writing helps children develop the following: 

  • Attention span: Writing takes time and cognitive stamina, so children need to learn how to focus for an extended period of time.
  • Fine motor skills: Holding a pencil and maneuvering it with precision requires well-developed motor skills .
  • Forming patterns: Letters are patterns of shapes and lines, so it’s helpful to learn how to form simpler patterns beforehand.
  • Crossing the midline: The midline is the imaginary vertical line that splits the body down the middle, so crossing it allows children to do things like use their right hand to write on the left side of a page.
  • Hand-eye coordination: How well a child can guide their hands based on what their eyes see will influence how accurately they can write letters.

How to teach pre-writing skills

Since pre-writing essentially functions as a prerequisite to reading and writing, it has to be taught with that purpose in mind. Overall, keep the process fun and engaging for children. Take your time to develop a thorough strategy for incorporating pre-writing into your classroom.

Understand how and where to begin

First, focus on all the skills children must master for comprehensive reading and writing. For example, reading requires letter recognition, phonological awareness , vocabulary, reasoning, comprehension, and fluency. Writing requires all the skills of reading, plus muscle development and coordination, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and general communication with words. All of these skills are the starting point for creating pre-writing activities for your class.

Implement a variety of activities that meet each child's developmental needs

Creating activities that meet the various developmental needs of each child is a great strategy for teaching pre-writing. Certain activities may focus on one developmental skill, and others may incorporate multiple. For example, finger painting on a letter template utilizes letter recognition, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills. Playing a matching game where children pair up a capital letter with its lowercase counterpart calls upon cognitive development. Rotate between various activities to ensure children are making progress in each area that pre-writing helps improve. 

Focus on developing specific skills

As you create activities, pinpoint the specific skill or skills each one is meant to develop. For instance, certain activities replicate the fine motor skills needed to hold and accurately control a pencil. Prioritize their skill-building for how they hold their tool, find their grip, and precisely wield it, instead of just what they should be drawing or writing with that tool. When teaching pre-writing, focus the activities on specific elements of the skill set required for reading and writing.

Simple pre-writing activities

Some pre-writing activities include: 

Salt tray drawing

Start with any dish big enough to become a writing space. It may be a baking sheet, plastic container, or spill-proof box. Next, you’ll need a large container of salt or something similar such as sugar, sand, or soil. Put colorful construction paper at the bottom of the container, then fill up the container with just enough of the salt to cover the paper. Then, write a few letters on post-it notes or index cards and place them at the front of the container standing upright. Children can use their fingers to write the letter into the sand or sugar and run their hands over it to smooth it back out when they’re done. This activity focuses on fine motor skills and letter recognition.

Scribble drawing

For this activity, you’ll need white paper, colored construction paper, a black marker, scissors, and crayons. Have the children use a black marker to draw a spaced-out scribble design on the white sheet of paper. Then, children will use the crayons to color in the spaces between the scribbled lines. Cut out their scribble design once it’s all colored in, and then glue it to the colored construction paper to make an abstract work of art. This activity helps children learn to manipulate a writing utensil with purpose and precision.

Pipe cleaner bracelets

All you’ll need for this activity is a colorful variety of pipe cleaners and beads. Let children pick their favorite pipe cleaner and an assortment of beads. Show them how to fold one end of the pipe cleaner and seal it with two beads, then let them create their own unique bead pattern for their bracelet. This activity helps children learn more complex hand-eye coordination and get more familiar with creating patterns.

Play dough shapes

For this activity, give the children play dough and guide them in making simple shapes such as squares, rectangles, circles, and triangles. This activity improves fine motor skills and helps children learn how to make some of the same lines and angles that form letters.

Play dough shapes with sticks

Help children work with the play dough in a slightly more advanced way by adding sticks or toothpicks. The sticks make the shapes, and the play dough holds the form together. This hones more precise motor skills and understanding of how lines connect to form shapes and letters.

Q-tip painting

This activity, also known as dot painting, can be done with other tools, but Q-tips or cotton swabs are a common choice. Put various paint colors on a plate or tray, then let children use the cotton swabs to dip into the paint and make a design by dabbing it on a piece of paper. This activity helps children create patterns, precisely grip a tool, and learn spacing.

Chalk drawing on paper

First, cut out simple shapes from cardboard or construction paper. Then, children can use your cutouts to trace the shapes in chalk onto a piece of paper. This is a great activity for children still learning to hold a writing utensil as a larger tool like chalk is easier to hold and manipulate. This activity also helps them prepare for tracing letters.

Alphabet stamps

Find a set of alphabet stamps and ink, ideally with various colors. Children can try to stamp the whole alphabet or individual words. This is a great activity for letter recognition, cognitive growth, and fine motor skills for holding a writing tool. 

Create your own pre-writing activities

Introducing pre-writing activities and encouraging your preschoolers to write greatly increases their ability to become strong writers in the future. There are countless ways to hone the cognitive and motor skills children need for writing. Create or find activities that work best for your classroom and incorporate them into your lesson plans.

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15 Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

  • August 30, 2022 October 13, 2023

These 15 Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers will help them develop handwriting skills when they are ready to transition to Kindergarten. Engaging them in these activities is important to help strengthen their hand muscles and prepare them for writing letters.

Fun pre-writing activities for preschoolers

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Pre-writing skills are essential for developing handwriting skills. Many young children develop fine motor skills before they can even hold a pencil properly.

There are many pre-writing activities that you can do with your child to help them improve their handwriting skills and work on their tripod grip! These fine motor activities can be simple, engaging, and lots of fun.

Table of Contents

Why are pre-writing activities important for developing handwriting skills?

Handwriting is an essential skill that children need to develop to be successful in school and life. While many think of handwriting as simply putting pencil to paper, there is much more to it.

Using proper writing tools to develop handwriting skills

Children must have strong letter formation skills, hand strength, hand-eye coordination, and a good pincer grip to write well. These activities are a great and easy way for children to develop these skills.

Drawing lines, circles, and other simple shapes help children to develop fine motor control and letter formation skills. Squeezing putty or play dough strengthens the muscles in the hands and fingers, preparing them for holding a pencil.

Activities like threading beads or lacing cards help children to develop the skills they need for successful handwriting.

Gross Motor Skills: Strengthen Hand Muscles to Improve Letter Formation

Gross motor skills are important for writing because they help to develop the muscles in the child’s hands and arms and improve their coordination. These muscles need to be strong to form letters correctly.

Playing hopscotch

Simple activities such as drawing, painting, and coloring help children build these muscles so that their hand muscles are already stronger when they are ready to write.

Similarly, simple activities like running, jumping, cycling, swimming, and climbing are equally important. Preschool teachers often incorporate gross motor activities into games and art projects.

Fun Pre-Writing Activity Ideas

Here are some fun pre-writing activity ideas that you can do with your preschool kids at home. Teachers and educators can also use these in the classroom or writing center.

Fine Motor Development Activities:

Before a child can begin to form letters, they need to develop the fine motor skills necessary for holding a pencil and making controlled movements. There are a number of activities that parents can do with their children to help them develop these skills.

Lacing Beads or Buttons onto String or Yarn.

This activity is an excellent way to improve fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. It requires children to use both hands simultaneously, which can help to develop the muscles needed for writing. They will also enjoy learning about patterns and sequencing.

Making Homemade Playdough.

Make your own playdough . This fun activity helps build their hand muscles by squishing, rolling, and squeezing the dough.

Easy DIY Homemade Play Dough Recipe

They learn how to apply pressure to create different shapes. They develop their imaginations and learn about colors and textures. Best of all, they will love squishing and shaping it into all sorts of creations!

Threading Pipe Cleaners through a Colander.

This easy fine motor activity for young kids requires them to use a pincer grip – holding the pipe cleaner between their thumb and forefinger – which helps to build the muscles needed for writing.

The child must work on carefully guiding the pipe cleaner through the small holes in the colander, which helps build concentration and develop problem-solving skills.

Picking up Small Objects with Tweezers

You can use small objects for this activity, such as beads, buttons, or coins. Simply place the objects in front of your child and let them try to pick them up with the tweezers.

As they get better at it, you can challenge them to pick up objects of different sizes or transfer them from one container to another.

Doing puzzles

It can be a simple jigsaw puzzle or something more complex. Solving puzzles is a great way to help kids concentrate while working on their hand-eye coordination.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Building with blocks or Lego

Putting the blocks or Lego pieces together helps them develop hand eye coordination. They also learn to follow instructions, identify shapes, and sequence as they build.

Playing Catch or Hopscotch.

Playing catch requires children to throw and catch a ball, which helps them control their fine motor movements. They must coordinate their hands and eyes to throw and catch the ball.

Hopscotch requires children to jump from square to square, which helps them to develop their gross motor skills. They must coordinate their hands and eyes to jump from spot to another.

Letter Formation Activities and Ideas:

Letter formation is an important skill for preschoolers to learn. Not only will it help them with their preschool writing skills, but it will also improve their fine motor skills.

lovely pre-writing activity for preschool students

Have your child trace letters in sand, salt, or shaving cream.

Help your child practice letter formation by having them trace letters in sand, salt, shaving cream, or finger paint. This will not only be fun for them, but it will also help them to better understand how to form letters.

Sand Tray Sensory Play

Use letter stamps and let them make their own patterns.

Encourage your child to use letter stamps to make patterns on paper. As they stamp, they will naturally start to form the letters correctly. You can also use the stamps to help your child trace the letters.

Write their own name with name tracing worksheets.

Name tracing worksheets  are a great way to help them practice letter recognition. Download any of these  name writing activities you can use with your pre-k student, depending on their interests and abilities.

Write your child' name worksheet

For example, you can provide them with  do-to-dot  or  mazes worksheets , where they must follow the dots or lines to form their names. Or, you can give them a blank sheet of paper and have them trace their name using various materials, such as crayons, dry erase markers, or even edible paint.

Find the Letters Activity.

Find the letter is a great activity where the child must circle all the uppercase and lowercase letters. They can use q-tips, dot markers, or play-dough to identify them.

Find the Uppercase Letters

Play I Spy games using letters.

To play, simply choose an object and identify it by its initial letter sound. For example, “I spy something that starts with B.” The other players then take turns guessing what the object is. This variation is particularly effective at helping preschool students learn how to form letters correctly.

Use squishy bags to make shapes, letters, or numbers.

This is one of those fun activities where you only need a zip-top bag filled with a squishable substance like shaving cream, gel food coloring, or glue.

Kids can practice making straight lines, curves, circles, diagonal lines, and crosses by drawing them on the squish bag with their fingers or q-tips.

Sensory Trays encourage learning through sensory play.

Set up a sensory tray for them to explore. You can fill a tray with rice, flour, or sand and let your child practice scooping and pouring. You can also hide small objects in the rice and have your child search for them.

Add food coloring to the rice to create colorful designs to make it more fun. Similarly, have them write letters and numbers in a sand tray.

Draw zig-zag lines.

Have them  draw zig-zag lines . Provide a piece of paper with zigzag lines drawn on it. As the child traces the lines with a pencil, they will develop the control needed to form letters and numbers.

Trace the Lines Printable

In addition, tracing lines can help to improve hand-eye coordination and visual tracking skills.

It is important to engage preschool students in pre-writing activities. These activities help to develop visual perceptual skills and a proper pencil grasp, both of which are essential for writing.

Additionally, pre-writing activities provide hands-on learning opportunities that benefit all learners.

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Creative Primer

Enriching Creative Writing Activities for Kids

Brooks Manley

The world is made up of stories.

Through stories we learn, we empathise, we communicate, and we grow.

In the realm of education and personal development, creative writing is a powerful tool. Particularly for children, engaging in creative writing activities can have profound benefits. It not only nurtures their imagination but also enhances their cognitive, linguistic, and emotional skills.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to inspire you as you help the children around you write creatively.

The Importance of Creative Writing

If you’re wondering how writing fiction (making up stories) can help children, you’re in the right place. Creative writing is a multi-faceted tool that can help kids grow and learn more than you realise.

4 Benefits of Creative Writing for Kids

Creative writing offers a multitude of benefits to children, making it a valuable addition to any learning routine. These benefits span across several dimensions, from cognitive development to emotional well-being.

1. Creative writing enhances language skills . As children experiment with words and sentences, they improve their vocabulary and grammar. This practice also boosts their spelling and punctuation skills, providing an all-round linguistic development.

2. Creative writing helps in cognitive development . Creating a story or a poem requires logical structuring and sequencing of thoughts, thereby enhancing thinking skills. It also improves concentration and memory as children need to keep track of their narratives.

3. Creative writing is a powerful tool for emotional expression . It provides a safe space for children to express their feelings and thoughts, which promotes emotional well-being and empathy.

4. Creative writing activities can boost self-confidence . Completing a writing task, irrespective of its size, can give children a sense of accomplishment, which can improve their self-esteem and confidence.

Editor’s Note : Learning to write creatively will also create a curiosity and a hunger in a child for good stories – which can lead to a love of books, a treasure trove of knowledge and joy!

How Creative Writing Enhances Thinking Skills

Creative writing, by its nature, demands an exercise of the imagination. When children engage in creative writing activities, they learn to think beyond the obvious, fostering their creative and critical thinking skills:

  • Through the process of creating characters, developing plots, and building settings, children enhance their problem-solving skills . They learn to imagine different scenarios, consider various outcomes and make decisions that drive their narratives forward.
  • Moreover, creative writing encourages analytical thinking . As children read and revise their work, they evaluate their writing critically, spotting areas of improvement and making necessary adjustments.
  • Finally, creative thinking is at the heart of creative writing. Coming up with unique ideas, crafting original stories, and expressing thoughts in new ways all contribute to the development of creative thinking skills.

In essence, creative writing is not just an artistic endeavor but a cognitive exercise that strengthens children’s thinking abilities. It is an integral part of personal and academic growth that can pave the way for a multitude of creative writing jobs in the future. For more insights on creative writing and its significance, explore our article on what is creative writing .

Types of Creative Writing Activities

There are countless ways to engage children in creative writing. The key is to provide diverse and interesting writing activities that spark their imagination and curiosity. Let’s explore three popular types of creative writing activities for kids .

Story Writing

Story writing is a fundamental aspect of creative writing. It encourages children to create their own characters, settings, and plots, helping them to develop their storytelling skills. Start by prompting them with a simple scenario or idea, and let their creativity take the lead. For example, ask them to write a story about a magical creature living in their backyard, or a superhero with an unusual power.

To make the activity more engaging, consider incorporating visual aids such as picture prompts. This not only stimulates their imagination but also helps them to visualize the story more effectively. For a list of interesting writing prompts, check out our article on creative writing prompts .

Poetry Writing

Poetry writing is another excellent way to nurture creativity. It allows children to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a unique and artistic way. Encourage them to experiment with different forms of poetry, such as haikus, limericks, or free verse. This not only introduces them to various styles of poetry but also helps them to appreciate the beauty and rhythm of language.

To inspire their poetic journey, introduce them to a variety of poems. Read the poems together , discuss the themes and emotions conveyed, and encourage them to create their own poems. Remember, the focus is not on creating perfect rhymes or following strict rules, but on expressing themselves creatively.

Writing Plays

Writing plays provides an opportunity for children to explore dialogue, character development, and dramatic structure. It encourages them to think about how characters interact and communicate , which can greatly enhance their understanding of human behavior and relationships.

To start, prompt them to write a simple scene involving two characters. Gradually, they can progress to more complex scenes involving multiple characters and plot twists. Once the play is written, consider staging a small performance . This not only brings their stories to life but also fosters a better understanding of the elements of drama.

Remember, the goal of these creative writing activities for kids is not perfection but creative expression. Encourage them to experiment with different styles, genres, and ideas. Most importantly, ensure that the writing process is enjoyable and fun . For more tips and resources on creative writing, check out our article on how to teach creative writing .

Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

To foster creativity in young writers and make the writing process more enjoyable, a variety of creative writing prompts can be used. These prompts can ignite the imagination and encourage kids to express their thoughts and ideas in unique ways. Three effective prompt types include:

Story Starters

Story starters are great ways to spark imagination and get the creative juices flowing. They provide children with the beginning of a story, allowing them to develop and expand on it in their own unique way. This can be an engaging way to get kids to think creatively and practice their writing skills.

Here are a few examples:

  • “Once upon a time, in a kingdom filled with candy…”
  • “The tiny alien had never seen a human before, and…”
  • “As the door to the ancient castle creaked open…”

These prompts encourage children to think creatively and explore different narrative paths , enhancing their understanding of what is creative writing .

Picture Prompts

Visual stimuli can also serve as effective creative writing prompts. Picture prompts involve presenting children with an image and encouraging them to write a story based on what they see. This can help stimulate their imagination , as they can interpret the image in various ways and create a story that reflects their interpretation.

For example, showing a picture of a deserted island can prompt stories about shipwrecked pirates, stranded travelers, or magical creatures living in solitude.

Using picture prompts not only enhances creative thinking but also stimulates visual processing skills, making them a valuable addition to any collection of creative writing activities for kids .

“What If” Scenarios

“What If” scenarios are another type of creative writing prompt that can stimulate a child’s imagination. These prompts pose hypothetical situations that encourage kids to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions or narratives.

Examples of “What If” scenarios include:

  • “What if you woke up one day and realized you could fly?”
  • “What if animals could talk? What would they say?”
  • “What if you found a magic lamp with a genie inside?”

Such scenarios can lead to a plethora of unique and interesting stories, keeping kids engaged and excited about writing.

The use of these diverse prompts within creative writing activities for kids can not only cultivate a love for writing but also enhance creative thinking and problem-solving skills. For more inspiration on creative writing prompts, refer to our article on creative writing prompts .

Creating a Conducive Environment for Creative Writing

Part of fostering a love for creative writing in children involves creating the right environment. A well-thought-out space, a consistent schedule, and the proper tools can make a significant difference in a child’s attitude towards writing.

Setting Up a Writing Space

Creating a dedicated writing space is a crucial step in stimulating a child’s creativity. This doesn’t necessarily require a large area; a small, quiet corner of a room can serve as an excellent writing spot. The aim is to provide a distraction-free zone that allows kids to focus on their thoughts and ideas.

  • The space should be comfortable and inviting . A well-lit area with a desk and a comfortable chair is a good start.
  • Decorate the space with inspiring art or objects.
  • Ensure there’s plenty of paper and pens or pencils available. Some children may respond well to a personal journal – a special place to jot down ideas or thoughts.
  • Make sure the area is quiet and free from interruptions like noise from televisions or other devices. This will help children concentrate and dive deep into their creative writing activities.

Encouraging a Regular Writing Schedule

Consistency is key when it comes to nurturing writing skills. Encourage children to write regularly, whether it’s daily or a few times a week. Establish a routine that suits the child’s schedule and is easy to follow. This can be a specific time of day or a set duration each week.

While it’s important to maintain consistency, it’s also crucial to ensure that writing doesn’t feel like a chore. If a child seems uninterested or disengaged, it might be worth revising the schedule or incorporating new, exciting creative writing prompts to reignite their enthusiasm.

Providing the Right Tools

1. While a basic pen and paper are sufficient for most writing activities, providing a variety of writing tools can make the process more engaging for children. Different colored pens, markers, and paper can inspire creativity and make writing more enjoyable.

2. Consider also providing resources like a dictionary or thesaurus to help children expand their vocabulary. This can enhance their writing skills and encourage them to explore new words and phrases.

3. In the digital age, kids might also enjoy typing their stories on a computer or tablet. There are many kid-friendly writing apps that can make this more fun and interactive. However, it’s crucial to ensure that screen time is monitored and balanced with traditional writing methods.

Creating an encouraging environment is a fundamental aspect of fostering a child’s love for creative writing. By setting up a dedicated writing space, maintaining a regular writing schedule, and providing the right tools, you can make creative writing activities for kids more appealing and enjoyable . For more advice on nurturing a child’s love for writing, check out our article on how to teach creative writing .

Enhancing Creativity through Writing Exercises

One of the most effective ways to boost creativity in children is through engaging and fun-filled writing activities. These exercises not only enhance their imaginative thought process but also help in improving their writing skills – without them realising it!

Word games are a great way to expand a child’s vocabulary while also sparking creativity. An example of a word game could be ‘ Story Chain ‘ where a child starts a story with just one sentence and then others add on one sentence at a time, making the story as wild or as tame as they want. Another game could be ‘ Word Association ‘, where a child says a word, and the next child says a word that comes to mind, continuing the chain. These games not only stimulate the imagination but also improve language skills.

Character Building Exercises

Character building is an essential aspect of creative writing.

To help kids understand this concept, they can play a game called ‘ Character Sketch ‘. In this game, children are asked to describe a character in detail, including their appearance, personality, likes, dislikes, and background story. This activity encourages children to think deeply about their characters and understand how character traits can influence the plot of a story.

For more guidance on character development, refer to our article on what is creative writing .

Setting and Plot Development Exercises

Setting and plot are two fundamental elements of any story. An effective exercise to help children understand these elements is ‘ Setting the Scene ‘. In this activity, children are given a scenario, and they have to describe the setting in detail, including the time, place, and atmosphere. They can then develop a plot based on this setting.

Another exercise is ‘ Plot Twists ‘, where children are asked to write a story and then introduce an unexpected twist in the plot. This exercise not only promotes creativity but also helps children understand the importance of surprises in keeping a story engaging. For more ideas for creative writing prompts, check out our article on creative writing prompts .

By incorporating these exercises into their writing routine, children can develop their creativity and enhance their writing skills. Remember, the goal of these activities is not just to improve writing abilities, but also to encourage children to enjoy the process of writing and express their thoughts and emotions creatively.

Unleash the Magic of a Child’s Imagination

By supporting and facilitating children as they explore and experiment with words, characters, settings, and plots you’ll be giving them so much more than a headstart in language skills. You’lll be cultivating a problem solver, a sensitive spirit, and a confident explorer!

Is there anything greater you can offer a child?

Brooks Manley

Brooks Manley

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

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51 Creative Writing Activities For Elementary-Aged Kids

January 4, 2024 //  by  Milka Kariuki

Creative writing can be tough for learners of any age. From knowing where to start to establishing the vocabulary to develop their story, there are a bunch of different skills they’ll need to perfect their creative writing pieces. There are so many creative writing activities out there, but which ones are best for your kiddos? Our list of 51 creative writing activities is the perfect place to start looking if you’ve got a creative writing unit coming up! Read on and see which ones might grab your little writers’ attention!

1. Make Your Own Comic Books

creative writing activities for preschoolers

We bet your kiddos just love comic books! Let them create their very own in the style of the super popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books! Encourage your students to come up with their own plot, dialogue, and illustrations to spark their creativity. Even your most reluctant writers will love this fun activity! 

Learn More: Puffin Schools

2. Mad Libs

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Using Mad Libs is a super popular way to develop your little creative writers! Use these free printables to get their creative juices flowing as they try to come up with words to fill the gaps to create weird and wonderful new stories. The best thing is that you can use these printables as many times as you like as their answers will be different each time!

Learn More: Teacher Vision

3. Flash Fiction

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Flash fiction is a fantastic way to get your kiddies writing creatively while keeping things short and sweet! Use the range you prompts included in this resource to challenge them to write a creative story in less than 100 words. Flash fiction is amazing because your students won’t be overwhelmed by a huge writing task and it also means that your more confident writers will need to focus on the quality of their work, not the quantity! 

Learn More: TES

4. Write a Story Based on the Ending

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Test your students’ creativity by providing them with writing prompts that start at the end! In backward story writing, your budding writers will need to plan and pen a story that eventually leads to the ending you give them. This idea is a fantastic way to turn your traditional creative writing lesson on its head and in many ways take the pressure off your kids, as ending their stories is often the most difficult part for them!

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

5. Found Poetry

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Your learners will love this fun and creative found poetry activity. You can encourage them to collect words or a group of words from a favorite story or song then write them on a piece of paper or cut them out of a printed page. The overall goal is to have them rearrange the words differently to make an interesting poem with a unique writing style or genre!

Learn More: Homeschooling Ideas

6. Picture Dictionary

creative writing activities for preschoolers

A picture dictionary is a brilliant way to support every member of your younger elementary class in their creative writing. The words paired with pictures give your writers a ‘dictionary’ that they can use pretty independently, so your less confident writers or non-native English-speaking students can still access your writing lessons! 

Learn More: Twinkl

7. Creative Journal Writing

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Why not start a creative journal with your kiddos? Have them engage in daily journaling activities by giving them a different creative prompt each day. For instance, write a story about what would happen if dogs took over the world or what would you do if you were the security guard at a zoo and someone stole an animal? The fun is never-ending with these prompts!  

Learn More: Think Written  

8. Roll a Story

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Roll-a-Story is one of the best ways to help any of your kids who are suffering from a bout of writer’s block! They’ll roll the dice to discover the character, setting, and problem for their story then set to work weaving their creative tale! It could be a story about a wise doctor being chased by a mysterious creature in a casino, or maybe a rich artist losing their wallet in a library. Then it’s up to your students to fill in the gaps!

Learn More: TPT

9. Pass-it-on Story Writing

creative writing activities for preschoolers

There’s no telling quite where this fun writing game will end up! Start by writing the first sentence of a story on a piece of paper then pass it around your class, having your kids come up with a sentence that continues the story. The paper is then passed around the whole class until every student has contributed. Finally, once it makes its way back to you, read out your collaborative story to the whole class!

Learn More: Minds In Bloom

10. Picture Writing Prompts

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Creative writing prompts activities test not only your little ones’ imaginations but also their ability to craft a story and dialogue from that. Display an intriguing picture prompt for your class and have a discussion about it, recording their ideas. You could discuss what the person or animal in the picture is doing or what they’re thinking, where they think the picture was taken, and much more. They can use your collective notes to inspire their story!

Learn More: Pandora Post

11. What’s the Question?

creative writing activities for preschoolers

What’s the Question is a simple, yet super engaging game that requires your young learners to think creatively. Spark their creativity by writing an answer on the whiteboard such as “the moon would explode,” and task your kiddos with coming up with a question to match it. There’ll be lots of laughs as everyone shares what they came up with!

Learn More: That Afterschool Life

12. Creative Writing Printables

creative writing activities for preschoolers

This website is absolutely full of quick and fun graphics for children that’ll encourage their creative writing! The cute graphics and simple directions make it an easy bellringer activity for your writing class. Just print out some of these cool sheets and let your students get creative as they write thank-you notes to helpful heroes or finish little cartoon comics!

Learn More: Jarrett Lerner

13. Paint Chip Poetry

Nothing says creative writing quite like figurative language! Grab some of these free paint swatches from your local home improvement store and have your students create metaphors about their chosen color! We love this low-prep activity as once your kids have finished their poems, they’re a ready-made multi-colored display that’ll brighten the walls of your classroom! 

Learn More: Fabulous In Fifth

14. Story Storm Activities

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Once again, these Jarrett Lerner activities do not disappoint! Your students will have a blast pretending they are the principal for a day and they’ll get to create their very own rules for the school. Not only will this be an engaging writing exercise that we’re sure they’ll love getting creative with, but it also challenges children to think about why rules in school are important.

Learn More: Tara Lazar

15. Story Bag

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Story bags are a fantastic way to destroy any kind of writer’s block! Grab an assortment of random objects from your home or classroom and pop them into the story bag. Next, gather your students around and pull out all the objects in the bag. Can they then write a story connecting all the items? Be sure to leave time to let them share their stories at the end of the lesson!

Learn More: Life Hack

16. Change the Ending

creative writing activities for preschoolers

An easy way to ease your kiddos into the writing process is by having them rewrite part of a story. Grab their favorite read-aloud, and challenge them to come up with a new ending! They’ll need to finish the story in a way that makes sense, but aside from that, they can be as creative as they like! Your reluctant readers will like this one as much of the work on setting and characters has already been done! 

Learn More: Make Beliefs Comix

17. Plot Twist Writing Prompts

creative writing activities for preschoolers

BUT WAIT – there’s a twist…This fun writing practice is perfect for older middle or high school but could also be simplified for younger students. Write these twist prompts on notecards and have your kids draw one each before letting them go off and write a story around their chosen twist! They’ll be eager to share their finished work with classmates at the end. After all, who doesn’t love a good plot twist?

Learn More: Pinterest

18.  Craft Box Craft

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Every kid loves the book The Day the Crayons Quit for its creative narrative about this familiar box of coloring supplies! This extension activity rolls art and creative writing into one! Your students will have fun coming up with dialogue for each of the different crayons and you could even make it into a fun display for your classroom walls!

Learn More: Buggy And Buddy

19. Dialogue Pictures

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Personalizing writing activities always makes it more engaging for kids! Print out a picture of yourself with a blank speech bubble, and model how to add in some dialogue. Then, let your kiddos practice speech bubbling with a photo of themselves, a pet, or a favorite celebrity, and have them come up with some interesting things for each of their subjects to say!

Learn More: SSS Teaching

20. Figurative Language Tasting

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Your students will be creative writers in no time after practicing their figurative language with food tasting! Not only do tasty treats make this activity incredibly fun, but it also brings the writing process of metaphors and hyperbole to life. Just give each of your kids a few pieces of candy or snacks, and have them practice writing figures of speech relating to each one! They’ll have the words on the tip of their tongue- literally! 

Learn More: It’s Lit Teaching

21. Explode the Moment

creative writing activities for preschoolers

One of my favorite writing concepts as a teacher is ‘exploding the moment’. This method is perfect for showing your kiddies that even the smallest moment can be turned into an imaginative, descriptive story! Start by having them brainstorm some ideas and expand on tiny memories like losing a tooth, getting a pet, or making a winning goal in a soccer game!

Learn More: Raise The Bar Reading

22. Round-Robin Storytelling

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Round-robin storytelling is the perfect collaborative creative writing activity! This one can be done verbally or in writing, and it challenges your class to build a story using a given set of words. They’ll have a fun and challenging time figuring out how to incorporate each piece into one cohesive story.

Learn More: Random Acts Of Kindness

23. Acrostic Poems

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Acrostic poetry is one of the least intimidating creative writing exercises as there are no rules other than starting each line with the letter from a word. Challenge your kiddies to use each letter in their name to write lines of poetry about themselves, or they could choose to write about their favorite food or animal!

Learn More: Surfin’ Through Second

24. Sentence Sticks

creative writing activities for preschoolers

This exercise requires minimal prep and can be used in so many different ways. All you’ll need are some craft sticks in which you will write sentences with blanks and word banks. Your young writers can then pull a stick and fill in the blanks to practice creative thinking! Task them with a different goal each time; can they make the sentence silly or sad for example?

Learn More: Liz’s Early Learning Spot

25. Conversation Prompts

These fun prompts require your kids to think creatively and answer a range of interesting questions. They’ll be excited to write stories about waking up with a mermaid tail or describe what is in a mystery package delivered to their doorstep! These creative prompts are perfect for bellringers or transitions throughout the school day!

Learn More: Twitter

26. Pretend Play Writing

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Do you remember playing with fake money and fake food when you were younger? This idea takes it a step further by incorporating some writing practice! All you’ll have to do is print the templates for dollars, shopping lists, and recipes then let your little learners have fun with these play-pretend writing ideas!

Learn More: Prekinders

27. Question Cubes

Your class will be on a roll with these amazing question cubes! Whether the cubes are used for responding to a story, brainstorming the plot of a story, or practicing speech and listening, they are an easy, affordable tool for your little readers and writers! You can snag some foam dice at the dollar store and hot glue questions on each side to spark some creative writing ideas for your class.

Learn More: A Love 4 Teaching

28. Balderdash

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Not only is Balderdash an addicting board game, but it can even be used in the classroom! Your little learners will have a blast as they create made-up, imaginative definitions for words, important people, and dates. Whoever guesses the real answer out of the mix wins the points!

Learn More: EB Academics

29. Two Sentence Horror Story

creative writing activities for preschoolers

This creative writing exercise is best for older students and would be a great one to try out around Halloween! You’ll be challenging your learners to write a story that runs chills up their readers’ spines, but there’s a twist…the story can only be two sentences long! Your kiddos will love writing and sharing their writing to see who can come up with the spookiest short story!

30. Telephone Pictionary

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Another game that your kids will be begging to play over and over again is telephone pictionary! The first player will write down a random phrase, and the next person must draw their interpretation of the phrase. The third player will write what they think the picture is and so on!

Learn More: Imagine Forest

31. Consequences

You need at least two players for this fun creative writing game. Each pair or group of kids will start by having one person write a random phrase and conceal it by folding the paper. Then, they pass it to the next student to fill in the blank using the prompt. Once all the blanks are filled in, let them unfold the paper and get ready to reveal some seriously silly stories!

32. Story Wands

creative writing activities for preschoolers

​​Story wands are a fun way to have your kids respond to stories and study what makes something their favorite. Responding to what they’re reading is a super helpful exercise in preparing them for creative writing as it allows your students to connect to their favorite stories. By figuring out what elements make stories great, this is sure to help them in their own creative writing assignments!

Learn More: Little Lifelong Learners

33. The Best Part of Me

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Probably my favorite creative writing activity, this one is infused with social-emotional learning and self-esteem building! Let your students get to choose their favorite physical characteristics about themselves; whether it be their eyes, hands, feet, etc. Then, they take a picture to attach to their written reasoning! Make sure to boost the creative element of this writing task by encouraging your learners to use a bunch of adjectives and some figurative language!

Learn More: Sarah Gardner Teaching

34. Me From A-Z

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Challenge your kiddos to get creative by coming up with 26 different words to describe themselves! Me From A-Z gives your students the opportunity to explore who they are by coming up with words describing them in some way using each letter of the alphabet. Why not let them decorate their lists and turn them into a display celebrating the uniqueness of each of your class members?

35. How to Make Hot Chocolate

creative writing activities for preschoolers

How-to writing is a great way to get the creative writing wheels turning in your kiddies’ brains! They’ll have a fun time coming up with their instructions and ways to explain how to make hot chocolate! Do they have a secret recipe that’ll make the best-ever hot cocoa!? Once they’ve written their instructions, be sure to try them out and do a taste-test of their recipes!

Learn More: Teacher Mama

36. Give Yourself a Hand

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Hands up if you love this idea! For this creative writing activity, have your little ones trace their hand on a piece of paper and decorate it with accessories. Then, encourage them to write a list of all the different things they do with their hands all over their tracing! This is a great warm-up to get the creative gears turning.

Learn More: Write Now Troup

37. Word Picture Poem

creative writing activities for preschoolers

A word picture poem is a fantastic way to challenge your kids to write descriptive poetry about a common object! Your little poets will learn to find beauty in ordinary things and strengthen their sensory language skills and their vocabulary. For some added fun, you can even task them with writing a short story about the item as well! The results are sure to be fun to read!

Learn More: Teaching With Terhune

38. Shape Poem

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Shape poems are some of the most creative poetry as they combine words and art into one! First, your young poets can choose an object to use as their muse and lightly trace an outline onto some paper. Then, they’ll write words along the outlined shape in the form of a poem that describes the object! The result is a bunch of fun and striking poems that’ll look great displayed around your classroom!

39. Crazy Hair Poetry

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Here’s another one that combines writing and art! Start by guiding your kiddos in drawing a self-portrait then adding some crazy hair by blowing watercolor paints around! After the paint dries, have your kids come up with a short but creative poem describing their hair art.

Learn More: Grade School Giggles

40. Fingerprint Poetry

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Nothing is more creative than getting your kiddies to let down the barriers in their mind and tap into their stream of consciousness! Show them how to pick a topic and then let their words flow straight from mind to paper in a swirling pattern. This fingerprint idea can be used for a get-to-know-you activity as well!

Learn More: Kristen Dembroski

41. Doggie Haiku Poems

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Put a fun twist on classic haiku poetry! Your students will have a paw-some time writing three-line poems about dogs which they can then illustrate afterwards! Before starting the activity, you can use Dogku by Andrew Clements as a read-aloud to get your class hooked on this idea!

Learn More: Teaching Fourth

42. Fractured Fairy Tale

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Ever wondered if the Big Bad Wolf was framed? Or if Sleeping Beauty was actually a snorer? Your writers in training will have a fun time taking a classic fairytale and putting their own spin on it! Following five simple steps, your kids will be funky fairytale authors in no time!

43. Letter Writing

creative writing activities for preschoolers

These creative letter-writing prompts are sure to boost your kiddies’ imaginative writing skills! Whether writing to a pen pal or a favorite celebrity, letter writing is a great way to practice handwriting, word flow, descriptive language, and communicating all rolled into one! Have your writers grab their pencils and let the creativity flow as they write fun response letters to these prompts!

44. Hersey’s Kisses Similes

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Teach sensory language and similes by connecting this tasty treat with the sense of taste! Your students will have a lovely time brainstorming how chocolate connects to each of our senses and applying that knowledge by writing some sweet similies! What a fantastic way to teach them how to use these essential creative writing tools!

Learn More: Teacher By The Beach

45. Sensory Poetry

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Another great way to teach sensory details is to have your learners write poems about their favorite foods! Task them with writing a line for each sense to describe the food! Everyone will be hungry after this creative writing lesson so it might be a good idea to have some snacks on hand!

Learn More: Mrs. Tice’s Class

46. Season Personification

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Each season of weather has an array of characteristics making this the perfect activity to practice personification in creative writing! Allow your little writers to choose a season to write about as if it were a person with human characteristics. Winter is a no-brainer! It’s Elsa!

Learn More: Write Shop

47. Class Book of Character Traits

creative writing activities for preschoolers

To be creative writers, your kids need to know how to create realistic characters for their stories. For this class book, you’ll start by giving each student two opposing character traits. Next, have them demonstrate these traits by illustrating two characters and displaying them through dialogue!

Learn More: Crafting Connections

48. Socialgrams

creative writing activities for preschoolers

With Instagram being all the rage these days, your kiddos will have a fun time creating a ‘socialgram’ on paper! Challenge them to create a descriptive and engaging caption to go along with their “photo” in the post. Then, classmates can comment on each other’s work! 

Learn More: Breezy Special Ed

49. Story Introduction Worksheets

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Creative writing worksheets are a simple, minimal-prep tool to use in your creative writing units. Print out a variety of options, and have your kids practice their skills by finishing imaginative story introductions. By giving them a place to start their story, you can really take the pressure off your kids which will help ease them into the creative writing process!

Learn More: Lanternfish ESL

50. Dialogue Worksheets

creative writing activities for preschoolers

Here’s another low-prep option for the last-minute planners! Pre-written dialogue can help guide the mood of the story and allow your kiddies to just focus on filling in the characters’ actions. This is also a great way to model how dialogue is spaced out and balanced in a story!

Learn More: ESL Writing Worksheets

51. Character Trait Posters

creative writing activities for preschoolers

In this personalized character trait activity, your students will create a poster of themselves and label it with a bunch of different character traits. Descriptive, interesting characters are what make a story captivating, so this is a great introduction to understanding characters and their physical as well as personality traits! This is an activity that’s sure to help them build a strong foundation for their creative writing skills to build from!

Learn More: Life In First Grade

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Home • Kid • Play And Activities

15 Creative Writing Games And Activities For Kids

Help your children develop their writing skills with the help of games and practice.

Elisa has 17 years of experience in early childhood education as a teacher and a director. With a passion to work with young kids, she did her post graduation in Education and received her online teaching certificate from California State U... more

Harshita is a graduate in commerce and holds a PG Diploma in Patent and Copyrights Law from NALSAR University. She has also pursued CA and has more than three years of internship experience in auditin... more

Deepa Rachel Thomas holds a master’s degree in English from the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She has done a certification course in Child Development and worked as a mentor for... more

Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing... more

Mark Twain said, “Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.” Although children may not find it that easy and entertaining, you can inculcate the habit through interesting writing games for kids . It is a fun and distinct way of piquing their interest in this skill by letting them enjoy it as they learn. In this post, we have a list of the best games and activities to help you engage your children in writing while having fun.

Fun Writing Games For Kids

Writing games need not be all plain, boring or intense. You can try some creative ways to make writing pleasant and enjoyable. Try these fun games for children to begin their lessons in writing.

1. Secret Pictionary

A game of Pictionary is fun to play when there are more than three players. You can play this game even without the Pictionary cards as all you need is a pencil and a blank paper.

  • The first player writes a random phrase and passes it on to the next player.
  • The second player has to draw an image based on his/her perception of the phrase written by the first player. Fold the first phrase, and pass it to the next player.
  • Now the third player has to understand the drawing by the second player and write a line or a phrase based on the drawing. Fold the paper to cover the first phrase and the first drawing, and pass it on.
  • This shall go on with the phrase and drawing alternately until it reaches the last player.
  • Unfolding all the pages at the end of the game will reveal a very funny short story.

Charlotte Bismuth, a mother and an author, shares how pictionary brings her family together for a fun after-dinner entertainment. She says, “Last week, my husband and I played Pictionary with our little girls after dinner for three consecutive nights… The first night, I was just so happy we’d played. The second night, I thought it was just a lucky break. By the third night, I was ecstatic —we were on the brink of a family tradition! I couldn’t believe it was possible to anchor in something fun ( ⅰ ).’’

2. Telephone oracle

Image: IStock

Asking your questions to the Oracle is like sitting with a funny magic ball. Come up with wacky questions and gear up for equally wild answers.

  • Every player has to write one question each which they want the Oracle to answer, at the top of the page.
  • Now every player has to pass their papers to the person on their left.
  • Each player has to answer the question according to their perception.
  • Now the players have to conceal the question written on the top portion by folding it and then pass on the papers again to their left.
  • This step is tricky but interesting. Every player has to write a possible question after reading the previous answer they see in their paper.
  • Fold the paper such that only the latest question is visible and pass it to the left side player.
  • The same rounds continue till the bottom of the page and end with an answer.
  • At the end of the game, all the players unfold their papers to read their original question, the answers they have received, and everything in between. Kah-ray-zee! You will be surprised to see the crazy answers to your original question.

Free Worksheets and Printables for Kids

3. finish the story.

Your search for creative writing games for kids ends here. This is a delightful and engaging storytelling game you can indulge in during playtime.

  • The first player writes two lines on a paper and folds the first line so that only the second line is visible to the next player.
  • The second player has to guess the first line, read the second line, add another line to the story and fold the paper such that the first two lines are covered and only the last line is visible.
  • All the players continue adding their lines to the story.
  • The end result will be a very funny tale with no meaning at all.

4. Consequences

Image: Shutterstock

This incredibly enjoyable writing game will keep your child writing on new pages for multiple rounds. You will need a pen, paper, and a minimum of 6 players to play the game.

  • The first player has to write the name of a male, on the paper. After writing, conceal the name by folding the paper.
  • The second player has to write the name of a female and then fold it again, to conceal it.
  • The next player has to write about where they met and fold the paper.
  • The fourth player has to write about what he said and fold to conceal it.
  • The fifth player writes what she said, and conceals it.
  • The last player has to write about what happens in the end.
  • Then, unfold the paper to read a very funny story .
  • Note that children can write any name, be it their favorite hero or friends in the school, parents or just anybody.

Interesting Writing Activities For Kids

These activities can enhance writing skills and benefit the family’s daily life. Children can tap into their creativity beyond just playing board games and quizzes.

5. Grocery list writing

This is one of the fun writing activities for kids that requires minimal effort and helps them learn the names of many grocery items, such as types of bread, toiletries, and even spices.

  • Grab a pen and paper, and head to the kitchen pantry.
  • With the assistance of parents, kids have to note down each item and the quantity required.
  • You can color code each item to make it easier for them to access.
  • Make an elaborate grocery list and head out for shopping.

6. Writing letters

Writing letters is old school but is still relevant. So, why not introduce your kids to the old-world charm with this letter writing activity?

  • Decide which form you wish to write — a formal letter or an informal one.
  • Accordingly, choose whom to address the letter.
  • Keep the letter content crisp if it’s a formal letter and give it an emotional feel if you are writing an informal one.

7. Advertisement writing

This writing activity can keep their creative juices flowing.

  • Pick an item to write about. For example, children may choose to write an advertisement for their favorite candy.
  • Let them write an entertaining advertisement to sell the product.
  • Kids can get innovative and may design brochures, leaflets or even a hoarding style ad.

8. Dialogue writing

Dialogue is a conversation or interaction between two or more people. This activity can also improve their style of conversation. You can begin with simple dialogues.

  • Write an introductory line to begin the activity.
  • The next player has to reply to the previous line.
  • Keep adding dialogues after each line. In the end, you will have your very own record of the conversation.

9. Written debate

This activity is similar to dialogue writing, but will have an argumentative tone. This writing activity will help in enhancing their conversational and presentation skills.

  • Pick a subject and write down your first argument on the paper.
  • Let your child reply to the argument, putting forth his/her point.
  • It goes on like a debate but in a written format.

10. Writing instructions

Learn direct speech through this activity.

  • Choose a subject to write instructions about. For example, an experiment on lighting a bulb.
  • Kids must write about the tools required and elaborate instructions about how to light a bulb, in detailed steps.
  • The style of writing must be communicative and simple to follow.

11. Writing a poem

Poetry knows no boundaries or age limits. Writing poems is a creative pursuit well-suited for children who love writing.

  • Select a theme to write about.
  • Kids can use rhyming words or just express their emotions in whichever poetic style they like.

12. Writing a message on the envelope

Be it a birthday greeting or a thank you note, this activity will help the child write short messages on cards and envelopes.

  • Pick a card or envelope depending on the occasion.
  • Write a short crisp paragraph to convey the message.
  • Add a salutation, “To” address and a “From” address.
  • If your child enjoys crafts, they can also make unique cards with meaningful messages.

13. Newspaper summary writing

This activity is ideal for older kids. It helps in understanding their level of reasoning and perception.

  • Assign a newspaper headline for them to read and follow.
  • Kids have to go through the entire news article, read and understand it in detail.
  • Now the challenge is to write a summary about the same news article in their style.

14. Five lines about their hero

Children will enjoy playing this game for sure as it involves their favorite superhero.

  • Find out who your child’s favorite superhero/ idol is.
  • Ask them to write any five things about him/her, which they admire.

15. Drawing words

This activity does not involve writing directly but inspires to write and makes learning enjoyable for kids. Make their imagination run wild with this game.

  • Choose a word to draw. It can be any word like sun, moon, precious, beautiful, mountain or anything.
  • Let the child draw the word in their style. Do not insist on drawing it perfectly. They can create a doodle too if they want.

15. Starting a feelings journal

Children often find it difficult to express how they feel as expressing oneself is a learning process that develops gradually. This activity can serve as an amazing emotional outlet for your child and help you understand them much better.

  • Printed journals are available that contain pictorial depictions of various feelings and emotions from which the child can choose daily.
  • You may also DIY such a journal from a regular one by printing different pictures of emotions and telling your child to add a few words every day.
  • Encourage them to write vivid descriptions of what they feel and the reason behind it for the activity to become more productive.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does writing help in the growth of a child?

Writing helps in a child’s growth by promoting language development, improving spelling knowledge, increasing communication skills, enhancing creativity, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and fostering emotional intelligence. It also helps children develop fine motor skills and self-discipline. Additionally, writing can serve as an outlet for children to express their thoughts and feelings, leading to increased self-awareness and self-esteem.

2. What are the benefits of writing games for kids at home and school?

Writing games for kids offers numerous benefits, such as improving language skills, encouraging creativity, boosting confidence, enhancing critical thinking, and developing fine motor skills. Writing games can help children develop their language skills, including vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. These games can also challenge children to think critically and encourage them to be imaginative in their writing, leading to a more positive attitude toward learning.

3. What age range are writing games suitable for?

Writing games vary for children of varying age groups, depending on the game’s complexity. For example, a game of writing a poem can be played by children over six years, while drawing games are ideal for toddlers. As your child grows, expose them to a variety of writing games.

4. Can writing games help children overcome writer’s block?

Writing games enhance critical thinking, improves language skills, and sparks creativity in children, enabling them to overcome writer’s block. Provide different prompts and challenges to your child to promote thinking abilities. Besides, you can invite their friends and organize a collaborative writing activity. Give feedback to everyone so that children can refine their writing.

5. Can writing games help kids develop their storytelling abilities?

Children engaging in writing while playing games boosts their imagination and creativity. They can also express their thoughts and emotions when playing writing games, thereby aiding in developing their storytelling skills. Encourage your child to explore various writing styles and create a unique composition.

6. How can technology be used for writing games for kids?

Technology provides opportunities to choose interactive games and apps containing several engaging learning experiences, capturing children’s attention and promoting creativity and inclusivity. Parents can choose age-appropriate writing activities and receive instant feedback and suggestions that help sharpen their writing skills.

Writing is an integral part of children’s education that helps them express themselves better. It is a life skill that relates to communication and allows children to better understand and remember a particular concept. Writing skills should be developed in children from a young age. However, many children are not enthusiastic about writing because they feel it is a difficult task. In such circumstances, you may introduce writing games for kids. Puzzles and games such as Secret Pictionary or Finish the Story and activities such as Dialogue Writing or Message Writing can help children learn about writing. Anagrams, crosswords, creating secret code puzzles, and the hangman are other good options that will help fine-tune their writing skills. Reading books and journaling are other activities that can help enhance a child’s self expression abilities.

Infographic: Fun Writing Games For Children

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Key Pointers

  • Pique your children’s interest in writing by introducing Pictionary of secret phrases followed by drawing.
  • “Finish the story” will enhance the child’s creativity as they take turns to add sentences to the story.
  • Dialogue or advertisement writing, word drawing, etc., for your children as you scroll down.

Engage your kids in fun pre-writing activities! Learn how to help them develop their writing skills in a creative way.

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

  • Fact-checker

Elisa Yi Early childhood educator

Harshita makvana b.com, pg dip, deepa thomas ma (english), nisha bharatan b.tech, latest articles, 21+ fun classroom games and activities for kids.

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Hands On As We Grow®

Hands on kids activities for hands on moms. Focusing on kids activities perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

Name Writing Practice with 12 Hands-On Activities

Fine Motor Literacy & ABCs Preschoolers Name Resources Writing Activities 29 Comments

Give your preschooler a little boost in school with easy and fun activities to practice name writing!

They’ll be ready to go for the first day of school!

One of the first things your preschooler will learn is how to spell and recognize their own name.

Your little learner will be discovering how to spell it.

And that means writing it down.

Instead of using a name writing practice sheet or worksheet, add a little bit of fun to learning with a writing activity!

Hands-on writing is much more exciting for preschoolers than putting pen to paper and writing the same thing over and over again.

Enhance your preschooler's literacy skills with 12 engaging & effective name writing practice activities.

Plus, preschoolers might not be ready to grip the pencil and be able to write in this way yet.

And that’s okay.

Okay, quick disclaimer, I know that just sounded like I know what I’m talking about, and kind of sounds like it’s from a teacher’s perspective, but it’s not.

I’m a parent, not a teacher. I never have been a teacher.

This is just information that I’ve gathered through experience and through researching for many years on my own.

Get the FREE Learn Your Name Download

Name Writing Practive Can be Fun with Hands On Activities

Making name writing practice a hands-on experience can be so much more meaningful.

Over the years, I’ve done many of these in some shape or form.

I hope you enjoy these 12 fun ways that kids can practice name writing.

Best of all, you can use these ideas at home or school.

It will make learning fun for them without adding pressure!

12 name writing practice activities for preschoolers

Download the Fine Motor Week of Activities

Activities for Preschoolers to Practice Name Writing:

  • Highlighters are awesome for tracing anything! Add in glue and yarn and it’s a hands-on experience, or triple the name tracing fun !
  • Buggy and Buddy loves to  rainbow write their names ! Writing their name over and over again in different colors to make a rainbow. Make it big and fun!
  • Another twist on rainbow writing is rainbow name painting from NurtureStore! Paint over and over in different colors!
  • Toddler at Play traces letters with paint and Q-tips , put this to their name and the kids will love it!
  • Jen’s OT for Kids uses glitter glue to practice name writing! (Get glitter glue here , affiliate link )
  • Practice writing their name on the chalkboard, but with water to erase it away !
  • Make a sensory bag to practice pre-writing skills to write the letters of their name (from Learning 4 Kids)
  • Fingerpaint their name! This idea from Creative Tots is a great one for kids struggling to grip a pencil yet.
  • Practice writing their name in a salt sensory tray ! Great idea from Bounce Back Parenting. No salt? Try flour!
  • Get out the watercolors and  trace the letters of their name with a paintbrush ! This is a pretty one from Play to Learn Preschool!
  • Teach Preschool has a fun name writing game to do on the whiteboard.
  • When all else fails, break out a can of shaving cream . This idea from Gift of Curiosity always wins! Write their name in a tray!

12 ways for preschoolers to practice name writing

How can I teach my child their name?

Not quite ready to practice name writing yet?

Try some of these name activities to start recognizing and spelling their name first.

There are so many exciting and fun ways to help even toddlers learn to spell and recognize their names .

Download the FREE Learn Your Name Week!

What are your favorite activities to help your child practive writing their name?

These affiliate products are non-worksheet ways for kids to practice writing their name.

  • Use these WikkiStix letters to write their name
  • Try the letter construction set from Learning Resources to build their name
  • Use dry erase markers to write their name on the window
  • Use sidewalk chalk to write their name outside

Here are 10 more ways to prepare your little ones for school (that have nothing to do with academics!), from TheSaltyMamas.com.

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About Jamie Reimer

Jamie learned to be a hands on mom by creating activities, crafts and art projects for her three boys to do. Jamie needed the creative outlet that activities provided to get through the early years of parenting with a smile! Follow Jamie on Pinterest and Instagram !

More Hands on Kids Activities to Try

Start learning letters with your toddler! You'll love these 20+ activities that make it simple to have fun and learn together.

Reader Interactions

29 comments.

marilyn young says

June 17, 2023 at 8:37 pm

Always looking for ideas for Head Start/Early Head Start, thank you!

Seanna says

July 6, 2020 at 4:51 pm

I love this website

Courtney says

August 22, 2019 at 2:11 pm

These are all great ideas! We discussed this topic in my mommy group, the Weecare.co Community Page. I think one of the most basic things when getting started is something another mom from Weecare mentioned: “Keep crayons and paper in her reach at home and practice together.” If it’s there and in front of them all the time, they are more likely to be interested and want to do it. If anyone is interested in the full discussion, here’s the link: https://weecare.co/post/at-what-age-do-kids-learn-how-to-spell-their-own-names-226 .

Suzette Dobbins says

August 19, 2018 at 10:16 pm

One of my favorite ways to practice writing is with water on a chalk board. I have one client who loves to put everything in the mouth, who cares if its a clean brush and water!

Stephanie, One Caring Mom says

July 13, 2018 at 3:14 pm

My youngest will be headed to preschool soon so I would love for him to have some idea of how to write his name. These ideas actually make it look fun. Thank you for getting all of these together!

April 10, 2016 at 1:58 am

I love this compilation. Big help!

Snehal Borkar says

January 15, 2016 at 1:13 am

It’s very good idea……THANKS

Nona T. says

January 2, 2016 at 1:37 pm

I am a preschool teacher with 15 years experience and five master degrees in education. You are absolutely correct about writing names. Your activities are perfect. Thank you for the reminder. School starts up again in a few days and I am going to have my little ones do your activities. So many times adults forget that young children learn best by having playing and fun. Skill sheets are NOT fun!! I wish teachers would sit down with a skill sheet and complete it. It wouldn’t take long before they realize how their hands ache and they stopped processing what they are suppose to learn. Just imagine how a child’s little hand muscles must hurt. Thank you again for the great ideas and reminders of how to help our children.

Claudia Morales says

January 2, 2016 at 9:39 am

Thank you!!! We are doing the Rainbow Writing Name right now! She loves it!

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15 Creative Activities for Preschoolers: How to Encourage Play and Learning

creative writing activities for preschoolers

How do you keep creative play alive in the preschool years? What are some creative activities for preschoolers that foster learning and development? These creative activities promote creative thinking, exploration, and experimentation. Creative play is crucial to a child’s emotional well-being as well as intellectual growth. In this article, we will discuss 20 creative art activities for preschoolers that can be done with items found around the house.

Develop a creative story time at home or in the classroom with these ideas:

Play creative games like:.

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Why Is Creative Expression Important for Kids?

Creative expression is important for kids because creativity helps them absorb an understanding of the world and learn problem-solving skills. Creating allows children to develop skills like:

  • Figuring out how to use their imagination
  • Creative thinking
  • Creative production
  • Problem solving

creative activities for preschoolers / puppets

Creative expression fosters:

  • emotional well-being
  • cognitive development
  • a general feeling of happiness

The creative arts have proven to be as important for mental health as physical health.

Childhood creative arts are a crucial part of child development. They play an essential role in intelligence test scores, creativity levels, social competencies, and other important developmental milestones.

Creative expression is embedded into the arts in a variety of ways:

  • imagination
  • creative thinking
  • production skills

creative writing activities for preschoolers

RELATED: The Science of Sensory Play: 7 Benefits for Your Child’s Development

creative writing activities for preschoolers

How Do You Encourage Creativity Skills?

Creativity can be harnessed by creating an environment that encourages creativity to blossom. Simply give your child plenty of opportunities to explore.

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What Are Creative Art Activities for Preschoolers?

Many creative play ideas for children involve similar themes or techniques like painting with watercolors or creative sensory play activities that involve exploring textures with rice or beans.

Children can also explore craft ideas like making a paper plate mask to play dress up.

If you’re looking for more creative preschooler art activity inspiration, check out these creative ideas!

creative activities for preschoolers / children smiling

15+ Creative Activities for Preschoolers:

1. Create a mask with paper plates.

2. Sing a variety of songs and play instruments.

3. Draw self-portraits using media like:

  • Watercolors

4. Pretend you are an animal and explore the house. (This creates awareness of environmental spaces.)

5. Plant a garden straight from your imagination. Kids can create their own personal gardens. This is a great way to link art form with science. (You may want to read more in 20 Easy Science Activities For Preschoolers That Are Fun And Engaging

6. Paint outside on sidewalks and driveways (with watercolors, paint with water or chalk).

7. Write and illustrate stories. Children can collaborate to create a story or use different techniques like drawing, coloring, imaginative writing. This activity helps kids figure out how they want their drawings to look by trying different things. Creative expression is the keystone of play!

8. Write and illustrate one page of the children’s favorite book.

9. Invent a character that has never been seen before! Draw it, write about it, or use puppets as characters in an imaginative play. Parents can get involved by helping the child create using art and craft materials.

Find out why positive self-talk for moms is so important.

10. Start an at-home storytime with the following supplies:

  • Construction paper for projects like making puppets or illustrated books
  • Glitter glue pens
  • Stickers of all varieties
  • Textured objects like rice or beans to explore creative sensory activities

11. Make creative masks with paper plates.

12. Teach children how to draw portraits using different media like watercolors, pastels, or colored pencils.

The sky is the limit with creative art activities for preschoolers! Next, let’s take a look at creative games you can play with your child.

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Creative Games

13. “What’s missing” game – Think of an object and have a partner try to guess the object just by looking at your creative drawing.

14. Create your own puppet show ! – This activity promotes imagination, creative thinking, and creative production skills.

15. “What’s on the other side?” game – Children can use crayons to represent a scene (side A) then draw or paint what is happening on the other side of the paper using watercolor paints.

16. “What if?” creative game – The questioner says, “What if you could fly,” and the other players create a scene with their imagination.

RELATED: 80+ Super Fun Hands-On Preschool Learning Activities

Creative Materials For Preschoolers:

  • Plastic containers from food items (like yogurt cups)
  • Paint in various colors
  • Washable markers
  • Paper cups and plates
  • Safety scissors
  • Paint brushes
  • Brown rice or beans (to explore textures)
  • Rice krispies/corn flakes (for creative sensory play activities) – Paper plate masks to have a dress up party with friends! To make these masks, cut the paper plate in half so that you have two semicircles. Cut out eye holes and decorate with markers or crayons
  • Construction Paper- for creative art projects like making a mask, collages, masks
  • Stickers – children can explore materials by purposefully selecting which stickers to use where.
  • Toothpicks – for creative art projects like making a mask, collages
  • Paper lunch bags – children can explore materials by purposefully selecting which stickers to use where
  • Finger paint
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Felt- for creative crafts and activities such as apples or flowers
  • Beads and other small items for stringing/buttoning onto felt
  • Straws – for creative art projects like collages, masks, creative sensory activities or making an oatmeal container into a teapot. Cut the tops off and tape the back on the top so that you have two openings.
  • Pencils – for creative art projects like collages and masks (using the same instructions as paper plate masks)

Check out all of our recommended art supplies for kids .

What is creative expression in early childhood?

Creative expression is important for kids because it helps them understand the world and learn problem-solving skills.

  • Creative expression fosters emotional well-being, cognitive development, and a general feeling of happiness in children.
  • The creative arts are as important for mental health as physical health.
  • Creative art activities help children develop skills like creative thinking and problem solving.

RELATED: 20 Fun Snacks for Kids

How do you encourage creativity?

Creativity can be encouraged by creating an environment where people have the chance to express themselves. Allow children to explore art activities.

Encourage them to express their ideas. Promoting creative thinking and creativity in preschoolers is important throughout the year.

Final Word – Creative Activities for Preschool Children

In this article, you learned about some creative activities for preschoolers that can be done at home. From creative art projects to games and materials. We covered it all. These creative activities will encourage children to explore and develop a lifelong love of learning!

What are some other creative ideas or suggestions? Share below!

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Leap Year 2024 Activity Packet for Leap Day February 29th Worksheets for Kids

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Description

LEAP into the excitement of Leap Year with our Leap Year 2024 activity packet , designed exclusively for kindergarten, first, and second-grade teachers ! Created to spark joy and engagment, this packet is your go-to resource for making Leap Day 2024 a fun learning experience. Our activities are crafted to spark curiosity, enhance literacy, and ignite creativity in young learners.

Included in this activity packet, you will find:

  • Leap Year Sentence Strip Crown
  • Synonyms of LEAP Word Search
  • Coloring Pages (included through Leap Day 2040)
  • A Frog Directed Drawing Craft
  • Writing Activity - "What will you do on February 29th?"

Designed as a print-and-go activity packet, the only additional materials that you will need are sentence strips, glue/staples/tape, and crayons or markers.

Start the leap year celebration with our Leap Year Sentence Strip Crown , perfect for making every student feel like leap year royalty.

Engage your students with our Leap Word Search , a fun twist on vocabulary development, focusing on synonyms for "leap" to expand their language and cognitive skills.

Bring out the crayons and creativity with our Coloring Pages , designed to provide a relaxing yet educational experience, focusing on Leap Year themes and fostering fine motor skills.

Jump into art with our Frog Directed Drawing Craft , an adorable project that guides students in creating their very own leap year mascot while enhancing their following-directions and drawing skills.

Finally, inspire young minds to think about the possibilities of an extra day with our writing activity, "What Will You Do on February 29th?" This activity encourages imaginative thinking and boosts writing skills, asking students to envision and articulate their ideas for spending this special day.

Our Leap Year 2024 packet is more than just activities; it's a bridge to building fundamental skills through the excitement of a leap year. Perfect for kindergarten, first, and second-grade classrooms, this packet is designed to align with educational standards while infusing your teaching with joy and creativity. Whether you're a seasoned educator or a newbie, this leap year activity packet will make February 29th a day your students will look forward to and remember.

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IMAGES

  1. Writing Activities For Preschoolers

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  2. Alphabet Writing Activities for Preschoolers (Hands On and Fun

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  3. How To Encourage Your Preschoolers Writing Skills

    creative writing activities for preschoolers

  4. Pre-writing Activities for Preschoolers

    creative writing activities for preschoolers

  5. 40+ Fun Activities For Preschoolers Gallery

    creative writing activities for preschoolers

  6. 6 Pre-Writing Activities for Kids

    creative writing activities for preschoolers

COMMENTS

  1. 23 Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

    Playing with playdough is a fantastic pre-writing activity for preschoolers. It provides a sensory experience that helps children develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Children can roll, press, and mold the play dough into different shapes and sizes, helping them strengthen their fingers and hands.

  2. 18+ Creative Writing Activities To Make Writing Fun

    Use Story Maps Story maps are a great way to unleash your child's imagination. You can either create your own or print out one of these free story map templates. To create your own story map, you'll first need a location. This could be anywhere, a planet, an island, the woods or even your hometown.

  3. 28 Phenomenal Writing Activities For Preschoolers

    1. Squishy Sensory Bags Let's kick things off with a tactile delight! Fill plastic zipper bags with flour and water to make a great sensory activity without a bunch of mess! Using either cotton swabs or their fingers, your students can practice writing letters and numbers on the outside of their squishy bags. Learn More: Learning 4 Kids 2.

  4. Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

    1. Squishy Bags Source: Learning4kids All you need to make these awesome sensory bags is resealable zipper storage bags, flour, water, and food coloring. Kids can use cotton swabs or their fingers to draw shapes, lines, and letters on the bag. 2. Bubble Wrap Source: Coffee Cups and Crayons ADVERTISEMENT

  5. 12 Best Writing Activities for Kids: Creative Pens at Play

    1. Online Writing Games 2. Feelings Journal 3. Personal Time Capsule Letters 4. Use Creative Writing Prompts 5. Picture Storytelling 6. DIY Comic Strips 7. Outdoor Observation 8. Letter to a Hero 9. Recipe Writing 10. Story Cubes Did you know that many kids today find writing a bit challenging?

  6. 10 Creative Writing Activities for Kids

    Creative writinghowever is one of the activities that any kid can participate in and get substantial payoffs for doing so. According to UC Berkley's research, creative writing can boost students' future academic performance, help them develop a growth mindset, and kindness toward others.

  7. 10 Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

    Cutting Practice Using scissors is a great way to build hand strength. If paper is too hard to cut, try cutting play dough or straws. Write in Corn Meal This is so much fun! Just pour corn meal, sugar, or flour onto a tray. Then let your child write with their finger to make letters or designs.

  8. Writing Activities for Your Pre-K Child

    Pre-K children start drawing letter-like shapes in a large circular motion as a playful activity. Often, a young child's first letters are drawn by accident and then identified by the child or parent. Kids at this age will form letters to represent written language for meaningful words like their names or phrases such as "I love you."

  9. Creative Writing Activities for Kids

    And here are a few FUN writing ideas. Add some movement with Photo Stacking Blocks. See how my 2nd grader and I explored writing longer sentences in a silly and active way. {These blocks are AWESOME, by the way. We use them for so many activities !} Ditch the pen and paper for a salt tray and chopsticks {Mama Smiles}.

  10. 7 Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

    Pre-writing activities help kids develop capabilities they'll need to write, including fine motor skills, the ability to draw across the midline, and the understanding that marks on a page can represent real-world objects ... Preschoolers are creative superheroes. From age 3 to age 4, a kid's artistic abilities explode (sometimes literally ...

  11. Top 7 Writing Activities For Kids

    5. Unscramble the sentences. Understanding the rules of sentence structure is crucial for writing quality texts, and this fun writing activity is the perfect way for your child to practice! There are many ways to play this "writing game", from writing sentences down on a piece of paper, cutting up the paper and scrambling the sentence ...

  12. Preschool Writing Activities: 10 Creative Writing Prompts for Preschoolers

    One essential skill that preschoolers need to develop is writing. It can be challenging to engage preschoolers in writing, but with some creative writing prompts, it can be a fun and exciting activity for them. Here are 10 preschool writing activities that can help boost your child's learning experience.

  13. 22 Writing Activities To Help Kids Hone Their Writing Skills

    These 22 fun writing activities can help them: Use their imagination Think up new stories and ideas Share their writing with friends and family Use them in your classroom or at home to get kids excited about writing! Fun writing activities Writing is supposed to be fun!

  14. 19 Creative Writing Activities for Kids

    Pre-Writing Activities for Kids. Starting before Kindergarten, kids will start to learn words and figure out how to identify different letters and sounds. This is an important time to practice, practice, practice. ... Creative Writing Activities for Kids. These ideas are perfect for younger kids who are just getting started with language arts ...

  15. 33 Sensory Kindergarten and Preschool Writing Activities

    The following are a list of hands-on activities that help support printing. Use these activities to work on shapes, letters, numbers, and/or name writing. 1. Dance Ribbons and Scarves. Practice pre-writing motions with ribbons or scarves (this is also great for crossing midline, posture and gross motor skills.)

  16. Promoting Preschoolers' Emergent Writing

    Emergent writing is young children's first attempts at the writing process. Children as young as 2 years old begin to imitate the act of writing by creating drawings and symbolic markings that represent their thoughts and ideas (Rowe & Neitzel 2010; Dennis & Votteler 2013). This is the beginning of a series of stages that children progress ...

  17. Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

    Pre-writing activities can equip children to excel in reading and writing throughout their school years. What pre-writing activities teach children . Pre-writing is a gentle introduction to the concept and practice of writing. It's so important because it teaches children a lot of what they will need to master to become a great writer.

  18. 15 Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers

    Twitter Pinterest These 15 Fun Pre-Writing Activities for Preschoolers will help them develop handwriting skills when they are ready to transition to Kindergarten. Engaging them in these activities is important to help strengthen their hand muscles and prepare them for writing letters.

  19. Enriching Creative Writing Activities for Kids

    Creative writing is a multi-faceted tool that can help kids grow and learn more than you realise. 4 Benefits of Creative Writing for Kids. Creative writing offers a multitude of benefits to children, making it a valuable addition to any learning routine. These benefits span across several dimensions, from cognitive development to emotional well ...

  20. 51 Creative Writing Activities For Elementary-Aged Kids

    1. Make Your Own Comic Books We bet your kiddos just love comic books! Let them create their very own in the style of the super popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books! Encourage your students to come up with their own plot, dialogue, and illustrations to spark their creativity. Even your most reluctant writers will love this fun activity!

  21. 15 Creative Writing Games And Activities For Kids

    Children can tap into their creativity beyond just playing board games and quizzes. 5. Grocery list writing. This is one of the fun writing activities for kids that requires minimal effort and helps them learn the names of many grocery items, such as types of bread, toiletries, and even spices.

  22. 12 Name Writing Practice Activities for Preschoolers

    These affiliate products are non-worksheet ways for kids to practice writing their name. Use these WikkiStix letters to write their name. Try the letter construction set from Learning Resources to build their name. Use dry erase markers to write their name on the window. Use sidewalk chalk to write their name outside.

  23. 15+ Creative Activities For Preschoolers

    15+ Creative Activities for Preschoolers: Develop a creative story time at home or in the classroom with these ideas: Creative Games Play creative games like: Creative Materials For Preschoolers: What is creative expression in early childhood? How do you encourage creativity? Final Word - Creative Activities for Preschool Children

  24. Leap Year 2024 Activity Packet for Leap Day February 29th ...

    Writing Activity - "What will you do on February 29th?" Designed as a print-and-go activity packet, the only additional materials that you will need are sentence strips, glue/staples/tape, and crayons or markers. Start the leap year celebration with our Leap Year Sentence Strip Crown, perfect for making every student feel like leap year royalty.