Trace the numbers 1–20

Each row starts with an outlined model, then three dashed copies that fade as they go, then empty boxes with the guide lines still running through them. Support falls away a little at a time instead of all at once.

Ages 4–6 · 4 pages

Download US Letter PDFor A4

How to use it

Do one page at a time, not the pack. Five minutes on page 1 beats twenty minutes on all four, and a child who stops while it is still going well comes back willingly. Let the empty boxes be wobbly — the wobble is where the learning is, and the guide lines are there so the last attempt still has a floor. Move on when the boxes look roughly like the model, not when they look perfect.

Every page in this pack

  1. Number tracing worksheet, page 1: digits 1 to 5, each row an outlined model, three fading dashed copies and empty boxes.

    Digits 1–5

  2. Number tracing worksheet, page 2: digits 6 to 9 with an outlined model, fading dashed copies and empty writing boxes.

    Digits 6–9

  3. Number tracing worksheet, page 3: numbers 10 to 15 laid out in ruled rows with tracing models and empty boxes.

    Numbers 10–15

  4. Number tracing worksheet, page 4: numbers 16 to 20 with tracing models, fading copies and empty boxes.

    Numbers 16–20

Printing notes

  • Print at 100%, not "fit to page" — scaling shrinks the digits and the whole point is that your child writes them at a steady size.
  • Black-and-white and draft mode are fine. Nothing on these sheets depends on colour.
  • Slide a sheet into a punched pocket and a dry-wipe pen turns one page into a hundred goes.

The thinking behind it

How to Teach a Child to Write Numbers — Read the full guide