Tracing is great practice, but practice can get repetitive. These games add a twist that keeps kids excited about tracing, page after page.
1. Snail race
Who can trace the slowest? The slowest tracer wins. This flips the usual "fastest wins" and teaches careful control. Kids find it hilarious. See slow, careful tracing.
2. Rainbow tracing
Trace the outline once in red, then again in orange, then yellow, and so on. Each trace is extra practice, and the result is a glowing rainbow outline.
3. Secret character
Cover most of the page with paper and reveal a little at a time. Your child traces each revealed section and guesses what the character is before the reveal. Monsters with surprising shapes are perfect: Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Monsters.
4. Story path
Tell a story while your child traces: "The robot walks down... down... down... then turns the corner... and climbs up the side!" The story guides the line. Robots, with their straight lines and corners, are great for this: Trace Then Color: Cartoon Robots.
5. Beat the sand timer
Can they finish tracing one part before the sand runs out? Use a generous timer so it stays fun, not stressful.
6. Eyes closed giggle
For one short section only, trace with eyes closed, then open them and laugh at where the line went. This makes mistakes funny instead of upsetting. Then trace the rest with eyes open.
7. Mystery color
Put crayons in a bag. Pull one out without looking and trace the next part in that color.
8. Alien landing
Pretend the crayon is a spaceship following a landing path. Stay on the dots for a safe landing! Aliens make this extra fun: Trace Then Color: Cartoon Aliens.
Bonus: Tracing with friends
- Pass the page. Each person traces one part.
- Mirror trace. Two copies of the same page, traced side by side.
Why games help
Games make practice feel like play, so kids want to do more of it. More practice means better control. Games also lower pressure, which helps kids who worry about mistakes. See wobbly lines are fine.
Questions parents ask
Won’t games make kids rush?
Some games, like the snail race, actually slow kids down. Mix fast and slow games.
What age are these games for?
Ages 3 to 7, with some tweaks for older kids.
How often should we play?
Whenever tracing feels stale. Some families use one game per session.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
