Is Tracing Good for Kids? Yes, and Here's Why
Is tracing good for kids? Yes. Tracing builds pencil control, confidence and pre-writing skills, and it's a natural first step toward drawing.
Yes, tracing is good for kids. It builds pencil control, hand-eye coordination and pre-writing skills, and it gives young children confidence because the result looks great. Tracing is a natural first step before freehand drawing.
Some people think tracing is "cheating." For young kids, it is a valuable learning tool.
Benefits of tracing
- Pencil control. Following a line steadily.
- Hand-eye coordination. Watching and moving together.
- Pre-writing. Curves and lines used in letters.
- Confidence. A great-looking result.
- Focus. Staying on the line takes attention.
A tracing-then-coloring approach
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Cats & Dogs lets kids trace pets, then color them. The two-part activity builds control and creativity, and the pets are irresistible.
How to trace well
- Go slowly.
- Use a pencil or thin crayon.
- Try to stay on the line.
- Celebrate effort, not perfection.
From tracing to drawing
Once tracing is easy, try:
1. Copying the same picture freehand next to it.
2. Simple step-by-step drawing.
3. Free drawing.
See tracing vs freehand.
Questions parents ask
Is tracing good for children?
Yes. Tracing builds pencil control, coordination, pre-writing skills and confidence.
Is tracing cheating in drawing?
No. For young children, tracing is a valuable learning step. Many artists use tracing as a tool too.
What age is tracing for?
Tracing is great from about age 3, and many older kids enjoy it too.
More in ways to learn to draw, or browse all 217 posts on the blog.
Keep reading
- Is It OK for Kids to Copy Drawings?Is it OK for kids to copy drawings? Yes, copying is how most artists learn. Here's why it helps, and how to move from copying to creating.
- Everything Is Shapes: The Easiest Way to Teach DrawingEverything is made of shapes. Teaching kids to see circles, squares and triangles inside objects is the easiest way to teach drawing.
- Why Cartoon Drawing Is a Great Place to StartCartoon drawing is a great place for kids to start. It's simple, forgiving and expressive. Learn why cartoons build real drawing skills.
- Drawing and Math: The Hidden Link for Young KidsDrawing and math use the same building blocks: shape, size, symmetry and counting. See how drawing time supports early math skills at home.
