Before children write their first letters, their hands have to learn how to move. These free fall tracing worksheets give little pencils that practice with squirrels, acorns, apples and leaves on the page. There are ten printable pages, from straight lines and curves to loops, shapes, words and numbers.
They are black and white, so they print cheaply and children can color them afterward. Every path has a green start dot and a small arrow, so nobody has to guess where to begin. They work well as fall tracing worksheets for preschool and as fall pre-writing worksheets for early kindergarten.
Free Fall Tracing Worksheets to Print Today
Look at each preview, then press its Download PDF button. The pictures are only previews, so the button does the downloading.
1. Fall Tracing Lines
Trace five straight lines from the squirrel, leaf and hedgehog to each fall picture for first pencil control.
2. Falling Leaves Tracing
Trace six vertical and diagonal paths from the tree branch down to each leaf basket.
3. Fall Tracing Curves
Trace big curved arches so the hedgehog and squirrel can hop to their apples and acorns.
4. Fall Zigzags and Waves Tracing
Trace five rows of zigzags and waves with fall pictures to build smooth pencil movement.
5. Fall Tracing Loops
Trace loop-de-loop paths like wind blowing leaves, a key pre-writing stroke for cursive and e or l.
6. Fall Tracing Shapes
Trace a circle, triangle, square, rectangle, oval and star next to a fall picture and its name.
7. Leaf Tracing Worksheet
Trace around four big leaf outlines from the green start dot, then color each leaf.
8. Fall Words Tracing
Trace the dotted words leaf, acorn, apple and fox, then write each one on the practice line below.
9. Fall Number Tracing 1 to 10
Trace the dotted numbers 1 to 10 and count the matching acorns and leaves beside each one.
10. Fall Path Tracing
Follow the winding path from the squirrel to its acorns, then draw a bonus line from the owl to its tree.
How to Use These Fall Tracing Worksheets
I start the youngest children on the first four pages and keep the words and numbers for later. Hand over a short pencil or a broken crayon, because a small tool pushes the fingers into a proper pinch. Show the green dot, say “start here,” and let the child go at their own speed.
Sit beside the child for the first line and trace it in the air with a finger first. Praise the slow, careful line, not the finished page, and try the same sheet again tomorrow.
Slip a page into a plastic sleeve and use a dry erase marker, and one copy serves a whole week of practice. The leaf page is meant to be colored afterward.
The Pre-Writing Strokes Behind Each Page
The order of the pages follows the order children master the strokes. Straight lines come first, then curves, then zigzags and waves. Loops are the hardest of the four, and they lead straight into letters like e and l and into cursive later on. Circles come before a, o and d, and the shapes practice corners.
Words and numbers come last on purpose. The dotted letters sit on a proper handwriting line with a dashed midline, so children also learn where letters belong. Ask children to say the word as they trace it, then write it on the empty line underneath.
Differentiating for Preschool and Kindergarten
Three-year-olds are happy with lines, curves and the path page. Four-year-olds can take on zigzags, loops and shapes. For kindergarten, the words and numbers pages make a good morning warm-up.
Answer Key
Most pages have no single right answer, so check the tracing together with the child. Page 9: 1 acorn, 2 leaves, 3 acorns, 4 leaves, 5 acorns, 6 leaves, 7 acorns, 8 leaves, 9 acorns and 10 leaves. Page 6 shapes: circle, triangle, square, rectangle, oval and star. Page 8 words: leaf, acorn, apple and fox.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these fall tracing worksheets for?
They suit children aged 3 to 6. Younger children can start with lines, curves and the path page.
Do I need a color printer?
No. The pages are black and white and print well on any printer.
Which pencil should children use?
A short, thick pencil or a broken crayon is best for small hands, because it encourages a pinch grip.
Do I need to print all 10 pages?
No. Each page is its own PDF, so print only what you need. The bundle holds all 10 pages in one file.
Can I use these worksheets for free in class?
Yes. Print as many copies as your class, daycare or co-op needs, with no sign-up.
- Free tracing lines worksheets for 4 year olds: more line practice once the fall lines feel easy.
- Free summer tracing worksheets for preschoolers: another themed tracing set with a different look.
- Free printable tracing shapes worksheets: extra shape practice beyond the circle and star.
- Free printable number tracing worksheets: longer number practice after the 1 to 10 page.
- Fall scissor skills worksheets: cutting practice that pairs well with these tracing pages.
- 15 best free printable fall worksheets: more fall pages for writing, reading and art.
Print a few pages, sharpen a short pencil and let the tracing begin. These free fall tracing worksheets take children from a first straight line to their first written words, so one download covers several weeks of pre-writing practice.
