Line Tracing Worksheets (Pre-Writing)
Updated October 2026 · 12 free printables
Pre-writing line tracing pages: straight and standing lines, diagonal lines, zigzags, waves, hops, castle tops, loops, spirals and a rainbow to trace in color. Every page has its own pair of pictures to connect, from a frog hopping to a lily pad to a mouse on its way to the cheese.
These are the same strokes that make up letters and numbers, which is why teachers and occupational therapists practice them before handwriting starts.
All 12 Line Tracing Worksheets (Pre-Writing), One by One
Here is a closer look at every page in this collection: what it practices, which grade it fits and a tip for each one.
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1. Straight Lines Tracing: Car to House
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace straight lines from the car to the house. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. Little ones can do most of it with crayons, and a grown-up can read the short questions aloud.
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2. Vertical Lines Tracing: Apples to Basket
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace standing lines from the apples to the basket. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. It is made for pre-K and preschool, roughly ages 4 to 5, with big pictures and one number per page.
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3. Diagonal Lines Tracing: Rocket to Moon
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace diagonal lines from the rocket to the moon. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. Little ones can do most of it with crayons, and a grown-up can read the short questions aloud.
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4. Slanted Lines Tracing: Bird to Nest
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace slanted lines from the bird to the nest. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. Little ones can do most of it with crayons, and a grown-up can read the short questions aloud.
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5. Zigzag Lines Tracing: Bee to Flower
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace zigzag lines from the bee to the flower. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. It is made for pre-K and preschool, roughly ages 4 to 5, with big pictures and one number per page.
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6. Wavy Lines Tracing: Fish to Shell
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace wavy lines from the fish to the seashell. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. It is made for pre-K and preschool, roughly ages 4 to 5, with big pictures and one number per page.
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7. Hopping Curves Tracing: Frog to Lily Pad
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace hopping curves from the frog to the lily pad. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. Little ones can do most of it with crayons, and a grown-up can read the short questions aloud.
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8. Castle Top Lines Tracing: Mouse to Cheese
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace castle top lines from the mouse to the cheese. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. Little ones can do most of it with crayons, and a grown-up can read the short questions aloud.
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9. Rainbow Curves Tracing: Cloud to Cloud
A free printable rainbow tracing worksheet: six dashed rainbow curves stretch from cloud to cloud, each in its own color. Kids trace every curve with a matching crayon, starting at the green dots. It is made for pre-K and preschool, roughly ages 4 to 5, with big pictures and one number per page. Try soft boho colors.
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10. Loop Lines Tracing: Butterfly to Tulip
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace loops from the butterfly to the tulip. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. Big pictures and only a few tasks per page make it a gentle start for kindergartners.
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11. Spiral Tracing: Snail Shells
A free printable spiral tracing worksheet: six snails with dashed spiral shells to trace from the green dot in the middle. The last shells fade to light dashes and dots. Great pencil-control practice for preschool and pre-K. Big pictures and only a few tasks per page make it a gentle start for kindergartners.
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12. Mixed Lines Tracing: Bunny to Carrot
A free printable pre-writing worksheet: kids trace mixed lines from the bunny to the carrot. The first rows are dark dashed lines with a green start dot, the last rows fade to light dashes and dots, so little hands build pencil control step by step. It suits ages 4 to 6, and little ones can count the pictures with a finger.
Tips for line tracing worksheets (pre-writing)
- Begin with straight and standing lines before moving to zigzags, loops and spirals.
- Use a short crayon or a broken crayon piece; it nudges little fingers into a better grip.
- If the page feels hard, trace together: your hand gently over your child's for the first row.
Fun math facts
- Vertical lines are usually the first stroke toddlers can copy, often around age 2.
- Zigzags and slanted lines are the building blocks of letters like A, K, M, N, V, W and Z.
- Loops are a step toward cursive letters such as l, e and f.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Act out the lines before tracing: hop like the frog, zigzag like the bee, swim like the fish.
- Make the lines big: tape paper to a wall or easel and draw the same strokes with whole-arm movements.
- Turn the castle top line into a real castle by adding a flag and windows after tracing.
How to print
Click Download PDF and print at 100% on US Letter or A4 paper. Page 1 is the worksheet and page 2 is the answer key, so choose “page 1” in the print dialog if you only want the practice page. Every worksheet is free for home, homeschool and classroom use, so print as many copies as you need.
Frequently asked questions
Which lines should we practice first?
Start with vertical and straight lines, then big curves and diagonal lines. Zigzags, waves, loops and spirals need more control and come next.
Why do the last rows fade?
The light dashes and dots give less help on purpose. When your child can follow the dotted row, try drawing the line freehand next to it.
How long should a practice session be?
Five to ten minutes is plenty for preschoolers. Stop while it is still fun and come back to it another day.