Are you searching for preschool fine motor activities, kindergarten readiness ideas, or fun ways to support pre-writing skills at home and in the classroom? The Fun Strokes Pre-Writing Magnet Set is already a favorite among preschool teachers, occupational therapists, and parents who want to make handwriting prep both hands-on and effective.
But here’s the best part — these magnets can do so much more! You can use them to create playful, skill-building activities that support fine motor development, visual-motor integration, and handwriting readiness in ways kids love.
Here are 10 creative and developmentally appropriate preschool activities that will breathe new life into your pre-writing sessions:
1. Q-Tip Erase
💡 How it works: Draw strokes with a dry-erase marker, then have kids trace by “erasing” it using a Q-tip for added fine motor challenge.
👉 Tip: If the Q-tip is too small or tricky, use a cotton ball for a gentler introduction!
👉 Skills targeted: Precision, pincer grasp, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination.
Perfect for OT activities in therapy sessions, independent preschool centers, or at home.
2. Flip the Marker
💡 How it works: After each stroke, have the child flip the marker to the eraser side with one hand. Use the eraser tip to trace the stroke, then flip the marker using one hand to draw it again. This works on complex rotation, a fine motor skill crucial for writing fluency.
👉 Skills targeted: Dexterity, in-hand manipulation, motor planning, preschool handwriting fluency.
3. Tear & Trace
💡 How it works: Draw the corresponding stroke for the magnet. Then have kids tear strips of paper and place them along the stroke path—like vertical stems for the flower magnet!
👉 Skills targeted: Bilateral coordination, grip strength, and visual-motor skills.
An excellent choice for special education classrooms or home OT activities.
4. Bead the Swing
💡 How it works: Line up beads to make the swing’s horizontal stroke. Picking up and organizing those tiny beads to form a line adds an extra layer of fine motor work and fun!
👉 Skills targeted: Pincer grasp, finger isolation, spatial awareness.
This doubles as a fun sensory bin idea as well! Hide the beads in rice or beans and have kids weed them out before placing them on the swing.
Skills Targeted: Finger isolation, grasp,
Bonus! It turns midline crossing into an engaging, hands-on activity that feels more like play 🎉
5. Double-Handed Circles (Brain Gym Inspired)
💡 How it works: Above the cone magnet, kids draw circles with both hands at once.
👉 Skills targeted: Midline crossing, bilateral coordination, and visual tracking activities for preschoolers.
Skills Targeted: Bilateral coordination, crossing midline, visual tracking, rhythm.
Did you know activities like Brain Gym’s Double Doodle, paired with Fun Strokes magnets, can do more than just get kids writing? ✨ This powerful combo helps strengthen both sides of the brain, improves hand-eye coordination, and boosts visual-motor integration. By engaging both hands at the same time, kids build neuroconnections that support focus, self-regulation, and fine motor control — all essential for prewriting and handwriting success. A fun, brain-based way to learn!
6. Make It Rain 🌧️
💡 How it works: Start with the house magnet, add any other magnets following the child’s lead. Then draw clouds above the magnets to make a sky. Have the child draw short vertical lines coming from the clouds to create “raindrops.” This playful scene is secretly building BIG skills — strengthening finger control, refining pencil grasp, improving precision with short strokes, and preparing little hands for writing letters. Kids think they’re just making rain, but really they’re sharpening the muscles and coordination they’ll use every day!
👉 Skills targeted: Vertical stroke practice, preschool pre-writing skills, spatial awareness, finger control, pencil grasp.
7. Cross the Midline Match-Up
💡 How it works: Place magnets on opposite sides of a board. Have the child stand in the center and draw lines connecting matching magnets—reaching across the body for each one.
Crossing the midline with Fun Strokes magnets! ✨ When kids connect identical magnets with a line, they’re doing so much more than making a match — they’re building powerful brain-body connections. Crossing the midline strengthens communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, boosts coordination, supports handwriting readiness, enhances focus, and even lays the groundwork for reading skills. One simple activity, countless developmental wins!
👉 Skills targeted: Crossing midline, trunk rotation, early handwriting skills.
8. Wikki Stix Trace
💡 How it works: Use Wikki Stix to outline each magnet’s pre-writing shape, then have kids trace with their fingers or a marker for a tactile experience.
Hands-on learning at its best! Outlining Fun Strokes magnets with Wikki Stix provides kids with a tactile pathway to follow, enhancing shape recognition, finger strength, and pre-writing stroke development. Tracing with fingers or markers provides multisensory input, helping brains and bodies connect for smoother writing skills in the future.
👉 Skills targeted: Tactile learning, shape recognition, pre-writing strokes.
Perfect for sensory play activities in preschool or at home.
9. Draw What’s Missing Game
💡 How it works: Place a house magnet on the board and ask, “What’s missing?” Kids can draw the roof, windows, chimney, or even a seasonal wreath.
👉 Skills targeted: Visual perception, spatial planning, creativity.
Great for special education writing interventions.
10. Simple Trace & Go
💡 How it works: Sometimes simple is best. Have kids trace the magnets with a dry erase marker, then color the design. The wipe-and-repeat format keeps practice engaging and frustration-free.
👉 Skills targeted: Muscle memory, stroke direction, control and precision, kindergarten handwriting readiness.
A must-have for preschool centers and OT handwriting practice.
🎉 Bonus: Mix & Match for Endless Fun
Combine activities into themes (e.g., weather or holidays) to keep practice fresh and exciting. These work perfectly in preschool classrooms, occupational therapy sessions, or as at-home preschool learning activities.
Ready to Take Pre-Writing to the Next Level?
💛 Thousands of educators and parents trust Fun Strokes Pre-Writing Magnets to prepare kids for handwriting while making learning fun. Grab your set today!
💬 Have a creative idea? Share it and tag us on Instagram—we love seeing your preschool pre-writing activities in action!
Disclaimer:
The Fun Strokes blog is designed for educational and informational use only for teachers, therapists, and parents. It is not intended as medical advice or therapeutic treatment that would be provided in an individualized treatment plan. If you suspect a child has delays, please consult an occupational therapist.
