Trace the Number 8
tracing · ages preschool · easy
Editorial team · Published July 16, 2026
Add a name, change the title and print your own version — free, in your browser.
This number 8 handwriting worksheet offers focused practice for young learners. At the top of the page, a single large dashed number 8 invites children to begin tracing, providing ample space to perfect the flowing curves. Below this, three ruled handwriting rows present a series of dashed 8s, giving plenty of opportunities to build muscle memory and achieve a consistent formation. There's a real satisfaction in seeing a whole row of neat number 8s appear.
To get the most out of this tracing activity, encourage your child to start at the top left of each number 8 and follow the dashed lines carefully. For the large number at the top, they might even trace it a few times with their finger first to get a feel for the shape before picking up a pencil. Taking it slowly and deliberately will help reinforce the correct stroke order.
A great tip for extending the life of this worksheet is to slide it into a clear plastic sleeve. Children can then use a dry-erase marker to trace the numbers again and again, allowing for repeated practice without printing multiple copies. This also makes it ideal for a learning center or small group activity, where several children can take turns perfecting their number 8s.
Teacher notes
Skills practiced
- Letter and number formation
- Pencil grip and stroke direction
- Hand-eye coordination
- Pre-writing strokes: lines, curves and circles
Suggested use in class
- Handwriting station: trace the dotted row, then write freehand on the last line
- Send home for daily practice; compare the first and last sheet of the week
Time estimate
10–15 minutes
Materials
- Printed page
- Pencil or thick crayon
- Optional: sheet protector and dry-erase marker for reuse
Download & print — it's free
US Letter (8.5×11"). Print at home, no sign-up needed.
Tip: set your printer to “Fit to page” for best results.
More printables you'll like
Frequently asked questions
How should my child hold the pencil for tracing?
Aim for a tripod grip — thumb and index finger pinching, pencil resting on the middle finger — but don't force it before ages 4–5. Short, chunky pencils or golf pencils actually encourage the right grip better than full-size ones.
What comes after tracing the dashed lines?
Fading support: first trace the dashes, then copy the shape next to the model, then write it from memory. When your child can form it without the guide, they own it — most kids need many relaxed repetitions to get there, and that's normal.
How can I stretch this activity for my preschooler?
Talk while they work: name the picture's parts, count them, ask "what color next?" and "what happens in this story?". A printable plus five minutes of chat does more for vocabulary than the page alone ever will.
Will it print okay in black and white?
Yes — the printable itself is black line art on a white background, so any printer handles it, including basic laser printers. Set your printer to grayscale or "black ink only" to save color ink; the page will look exactly the same.