Top tips for children to improve handwriting

Top Tips for Children to Improve Handwriting

Getting ready to write

These activities are flexible—change them to suit your child’s interests. Keep sessions short and playful! 

• Sit at a table with your child’s feet on the ground and close to the table
• Sitting or laying on their tummy on the floor comfortably so you don’t have to worry about your balance when writing

We’ve listed lots of different ideas. Please pick the ones that match your child’s abilities and what they enjoy. Always watch your child while they do these activities to keep them safe. These activities work best when done in short, fun sessions a few times a day—at home, school.

Try these activities for 10–12 weeks to see if they help. If they do, you can keep using them as part of your child’s daily routine.

Fun writing & drawing games

• Air Writing: Use your finger or a stick to write letters or words in the air—can someone guess what it is?
• Simon Says Shapes: “Simon says draw a triangle!” Play with shapes and letters in the air.
• Back Writing Game: Write a letter or word on someone’s back with your finger—can they guess it?
• Half & Half Drawing: Cut a picture in half and draw the missing part.
• Drawing Game: ask your child to draw something they like. This can be on paper, in shaving foam or sand for extra fun.
• Tracing Challenge: Trace a picture from a book using greaseproof paper, then flip and trace it again onto a blank sheet.
• Mazes and dot-to-dot puzzles.

Hints and tips to make writing easier

These strategies can help children feel more comfortable and confident when writing:

• Pencil Grips: These come in different shapes and sizes. They help fingers stay in the right position and can help your child’s hands to feel less tired.
• Triangular Pencils: Easier to hold and guide, especially for children who struggle with finger placement.
• Chunky Pencils or Pens: These can be easier to grip and control.
• Sloped Writing Boards: These help with posture and wrist position, making writing more natural.
• Paper with Lines: Helps guide letter placement and spacing.

Encourage your child to try these ideas and see what feels best. Sometimes a small change can make a big difference!