26 Themed Writing Tray Ideas
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Writing trays are a great way to encourage handwriting practice for reluctant writers or beginning writers. I've put together 26 themed writing tray ideas, one for each week of the school year.
Because of copyright, I am not able to share each tray idea completely with the directions or supplies needed. Each writing tray idea comes from various sources and bloggers around the internet.
In order to help them and also to not republish their ideas, I am linking to each tray idea below.
Thanks for understanding. This post will be a great one to Pin for later so you can reference it or bookmark it in your browser tap so you can find it when you need it.
26 Themed Writing Tray Ideas
Pick and choose which trays you want to start with, do 1-2 a month, or switch them out weekly. It's completely up to you!
Also, if you are unfamiliar with writing trays and their benefits, my friend Colleen over at The OT Toolbox does a great job of explaining the benefits of writing trays and the numerous ways you can set one up.
Writing Trays for Handwriting from The OT Toolbox
1 – Sugar Writing Tray from Teaching Mama
You will need some paper print outs of each letter of the alphabet for this. You can do this on your computer in a word document using a large font. If you have a smaller tray, just make smaller letters.
2 – Snowy Day Writing Tray from Modern Preschool
Includes free printable alphabet cards. Click the link above and scroll to the bottom of the post to get yours.
3 – Sparkly Snow Sensory Writing Tray from The Imagination Tree
4 – Snowy Shaving Cream Writing Tray from Happy Hooligans
5 – Valentine's Day Writing Tray with a Light Table from And Next Comes L
If you don't have a light table, you can still do this activity with just a glass tray or dish. You can also make your own DIY Light Table.
6 – Valentine's Day Writing Tray from The Art Kit Blog
This post also comes with a free heart alphabet card printable. Just click on the link above to get it.
7 – Moon Salt Writing Tray from Pre-K Pages
8 – Colored Salt Writing Tray for Reluctant Writers from Powerful Mothering
This post comes with a great DIY tray with a lid on it for easier storage of your writing tray materials.
9 – Sensory Writing Tray from Teaching Mama – Includes free alphabet cards (click the link above and scroll to the bottom of the post to get yours).
10 – Rainbow Rice Sensory Writing Tray from Messy Little Monster
11 – DIY Rainbow Writing Tray from The Imagination Tree
12 – Coffee Grounds Writing Tray from The OT Toolbox
13 – Rainbow Sensory Writing Tray with Died Barley from Fun A Day
14 – Dirt Play Dough Sensory Writing Tray from Frugal Fun 4 Boys & Girls
15 – Soccer Sensory Writing Tray from The Imagination Tree
16 – Paint Writing Tray from Happy Toddler Playtime
17 – Spring Themed Writing Tray from Nurture Store
This post also comes with a free download of egg-themed alphabet cards that you can use with your tray. Click the link above to go get your download of them.
18 – Leaf Themed Writing Tray from the Imagination Tree
19 – Frog Pond Writing Tray from Homeschooling My Kinetic Kids
20 – Ocean Alphabet Sensory Writing Tray from The Kindergarten Connection
21 – Star Wars Themed Writing Tray from The Imagination Tree
22 – Autumn Themed Writing Tray from Mama Papa Bubba
23 – Pumpkin Spice Salt Writing Tray from Homeschooling My Kinetic Kids
24 – Peppermint Sensory Writing Tray from Parenting Chaos
25 – Harry Potter Themed Writing Tray from The Imagination Tree
26 – Christmas Tree Themed Writing Tray from Happy Toddler Playtime
For more ideas like these, check out the links below.
Heather Greutman, COTA
Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based OT services for preschool through high school. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies for parents, educators, and therapists. She is the author of many ebooks including The Basics of Fine Motor Skills, and Basics of Pre-Writing Skills, and co-author of Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.