These DIY Tracing Cards make a wonderful busy bag for toddlers and preschoolers. They’re a fun way to practice fine motor skills through play, and so easy to pack away for next year’s class.
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More Fine Motor Play Ideas for Toddlers
There are so many fun ideas to try and help develop toddlers fine motor skills. Here are some more fun activities you can make with recycling or items from the dollar store.
- DIY Ball Drop Box
- Fridge Door Pom Pom Drop
- Egg Carton Color Sort
- Taped Toys
- Loom Bands Fine Motor Activity
- …
For more ideas, check out this list of 60 Amazing Fine Motor Activities for Kids
Materials Needed
- Cardboard
- Sharpie
- Stanley knife
- White paper
- crayons
How to Make DIY Tracing Cards
Step 1. Draw lines on the cardboard.
Draw a set of tracing lines on each piece of cardboard. Try drawing different patterns, including vertical line, horizontal and diagonal lines as well as S curves.
I chose these patterns because these are the basic movements needed for writing letters.
Make sure that each pattern is wide and has enough space for a finger or crayon to fit through.
2. Cut out the lines.
Use a stanley or craft knife to cut out each of the patterned lines. If your lines aren’t wide enough for your kids to put a finger through, then use the knife to make it wider.
How to Play
Step 1. Lay the cardboard strip over a piece of white paper.
2. Use a crayon to draw in between the crevices.
Practice going from left to right, or whichever direction your culture writes in.
Using a crayon, instead of a finger is a great idea if you want your kids to practice pencil grip.
More Ideas to try
Idea 1. Make sensory cards for tracing practice.
Use a textured fabric underneath each card, then trace a finger along each pattern to feel the texture. This is a great way for young children to develop writing skills using tactile cards.
Idea 2. Make alphabet letters using the same technique.
If you want to try this idea, make sure you don’t completely disconnect the holes inside some of the letters. (Eg: the circle in the center of an O)
Instead use the same idea as they use in Alphabet Tracing Stencils, because they’re designed to encourage the kids to follow the correct letter formation.
Idea 3. Combine the two previous ideas and make a textured letter set.
For this idea, you can sandwich a piece of sensory fabric between two pieces of cardboard containing the letters of the alphabet. Or even try making sandpaper letters this way.
Are you going to make these DIY Tracing Cards for your toddlers?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
