How it works
These tracing worksheets for 3 year olds open with 4 rows on 1 page: 9 tall lines, 3 long lines, 5 circles and 5 crosses, 26 mm high in solid grey. Every mark has a starting dot. Press Print worksheet.
Read the full guide
The four marks, easiest first
A line down, a line across and a circle are one move each. A cross is two: down, then across. The first mark of each row carries an arrow for the direction, and the first cross numbers its two arrows 1 and 2. The circle starts at the top and goes round to the left. Treat the order as a suggestion.
One mark to a page
Open More options and tick Give every line or shape a page of its own. You get 4 pages, each with 5 rows of one mark and its cue word, such as down, for you to say aloud while your preschooler traces.
- Trace each mark with a finger first, then with a crayon. One row can be enough for a sitting.
- Lines and shapes to trace lists all 23 kinds, stars included.
- Set Direction to Landscape and the 4 rows hold 12 tall lines, 5 long lines, 7 circles and 7 crosses.
Questions and answers
What should a 3 year old be able to draw?
The CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone list for 3 years has one drawing item: draws a circle when you show them how. A milestone there is something most children (75% or more) can do by that age.
Should a 3 year old trace letters?
That is your call, and this sheet has none. On the same CDC lists, holding a crayon between fingers and thumb, not in a fist, comes at 4 years, and writing some letters of their own name at 5.
What if my child cannot stay on the line?
Aim for the start and the direction first: begin at the dot, then move down, across or round. If you are worried about how your child uses their hands, the CDC says to talk with the child's doctor and ask about developmental screening.
What comes after lines, circles and crosses?
Slants, zigzags and waves are on the line tracing page, and squares and triangles on the shape page. For a first letter, the name tracing page prints the child's own name.