Summer Fun: Easy Activities to Boost Writing Skills for Kids with Dysgraphia
- Dysgraphia Life
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
Summer break! For many elementary students, it’s a time filled with swimming, popsicles, and playdates. But if your child has dysgraphia, a long break from writing can make getting back to school even more challenging. The good news? The best ways to support your child’s writing skills this summer don’t look like worksheets. Instead, they’re fun, hands-on, and designed for success!
Here are some easy activities to boost writing skills that you can do with your child to foster language and fine motor development, and—most importantly—enjoy time together.
1. Write in the Sand (or Shaving Cream!)
Take a tray, fill it with sand [both are availabile here] and let your child form letters with their finger. This multisensory approach takes the pressure off pencil grip and lets kids focus on letter shapes and sequencing. (Tip: Try “invisible writing” on the wall or table with a finger, too!)
Bonus: You can also do this during a day at the beach.
2. Postcard Project
Buy (or make) a stack of postcards, and let your child pick family or friends to write to. Keep it simple—just a sentence or two and a picture. Writing for a real audience is motivating, and the postcard’s small space means less pressure to fill up a page.
3. Recipe Helpers
Cooking together is a great opportunity for practical reading and writing. Encourage your child to read the recipe aloud, help with measuring (math bonus!), and afterward, write a “review” or rate the dish with stars and a short comment. Even copying a new favorite recipe into a family cookbook counts!
4. Outdoor Sidewalk Stories
Grab some sidewalk chalk and let your child draw and write a short story or comic strip right on the concrete. Drawing pictures and speaking sentences before writing them makes it easier and more fun to get ideas onto the “page.”
5. "Secret Agent” Letters
Write clues or short messages for a treasure hunt around the house or yard. Your child can help create riddles, write simple notes, or read the clues aloud. This combines movement, reading, and writing—all while building excitement.
6. Journaling with a Twist
A blank diary can feel overwhelming, so offer structured choices. Use sentence starters (“Today I…,” “I feel…,” “I wonder…”) or have themed days (draw and label your favorite animal, top 3 summer activities, a list of jokes, etc.). Let them dictate to you if handwriting is a struggle, or let them use stickers for words they find tricky.
7. Handwriting Craft Time
Build those fine motor muscles! Sculpt letters out of playdough, Wikki Stix, or pipe cleaners. Thread beads to “write” words on a string, or make letters with Legos. These crafty activities help strengthen the hand and encourage proper letter formation.
8. Tech Time—with Purpose
If your child enjoys technology, explore tools like word prediction, voice-to-text, or typing games (Touch, Type, Read and Spell (TTRS) is our favorite typing program due to the short lessons and Orton-Gillingham based lessons! Dance Mat Typing and Keyboard Ninja are fun options). Help them write an email to a relative or a story in Google Docs with read-aloud features.
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Remember: Every bit counts! Writing practice doesn’t have to be lengthy. A few minutes several times a week is more effective than one long, stressful session.
Most importantly: Encourage, model, and celebrate effort over perfection. Show your child that mistakes are part of learning and that their ideas matter, no matter how they get them down.
With a little creativity, summer can be a time to build both skills and self-esteem. Here’s to popsicles, play, and progress in writing!
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For more resources, tools, and community support for dysgraphia, visit Dysgraphia Life. Happy writing!
Dysgraphia Life is an Amazon and Touch, Type, Read, and Spell affiliate and may earn a small percentage on purchases at no cost to you.