Ages 3-6
Number Tracing for Kids
Pick a number, start at the green dot and trace it with your finger. Every number from 1 to 10, with a friendly voice and stars.
Choose a number to trace
How number tracing works
Each number takes a minute or so and is spoken out loud, so your child does not need to read. Here is the number 3:
- Pick a number. Tap a tile and the tracing screen opens.
- Hear it. The narrator says "Trace the number three!"
- Start at the green dot. It shows where the number begins; a 4 or a 5 has two, numbered in order.
- Follow the dotted line. With a finger, a mouse or a stylus. Wobbly lines are fine.
- Stuck? After a few quiet seconds a hand traces the strokes to show the way.
- Stars! Then trace the same number again or move on to the next one.
For parents
Is number tracing free?
Yes. Numbers 1 to 5 trace free in your browser, with no login and no ads. Every number, plus letter tracing, all the flashcards and games, is in the Flashcards Kids app, which you can try free for 7 days.
What age is number tracing for?
About three to six. Three-year-olds enjoy following the dots with a finger; four- and five-year-olds start to learn where each number begins, which helps when they write numbers on paper.
Does tracing have to be neat?
No. A number counts as done once your child has gone over most of it, so wobbly lines are fine. It is about learning the shape and the direction of each stroke, not neat handwriting.
Which numbers do children reverse?
Most often 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9, which young children write back to front. It is normal up to about age six or seven. Starting at the green dot each time is what fixes the direction.
How can we practise numbers away from the screen?
Count real things together and draw the number in the air, in sand or with a finger on the table. Pair each number with that many objects so the shape and the amount go together.