Ages 3–5 · Shapes

Square tracing worksheets

A square brings together almost everything from earlier sheets: straight lines across and down, a corner, and then the same again three more times. Four corners and four sides is a lot to keep track of, which is why squares usually arrive a little later than circles.

On these sheets the square starts at its top left corner with a solid disc and an arrow pointing right. A dot sits on every corner, and the dots along each side are spaced so that all four sides share exactly the same gap, including the short last side that runs up towards the finish ring. That last side stops well short of the start, leaving clear paper between the ring and the disc.

The bigger setting has four squares about 62 mm wide; the smaller one has six squares of 46 mm, still comfortably large for small hands.

Generate this worksheetOpens the generator with these settings

Preview the sheets

Sheet with four large dotted squares, each with a dot on every cornerSquaresStart at the solid dot. Go the way the arrow points, all the way round.Ages 3–5NameStartFinishdotandtrace.comParent tip: pause at each corner — “stop, turn, go” makes corners easier.
Four big squares
Sheet with six smaller dotted squares in two rowsSquaresStart at the solid dot. Go the way the arrow points, all the way round.Ages 3–5NameStartFinishdotandtrace.comParent tip: pause at each corner — “stop, turn, go” makes corners easier.
Six smaller squares
Sheet with three dotted circles and three dotted squares alternatingCircles & squaresStart at the solid dot. Go the way the arrow points, all the way round.Ages 3–5NameStartFinishdotandtrace.comParent tip: trace each shape in the air with a finger before picking up a crayon.
Mixed with circles
Square sheet with light grey dots, outline start and finish markers and no frameSquaresStart at the solid dot. Go the way the arrow points, all the way round.Ages 3–5NameStartFinishdotandtrace.comParent tip: pause at each corner — “stop, turn, go” makes corners easier.
Ink-saver version

Tips for squares

  • Walk a toy figure round the square, saying “along, down, along, up” at each side.
  • At every corner dot, stop the crayon, count “one”, then turn and carry on.
  • Point out squares around the house first: windows, tiles, crackers, picture frames.
  • Colour the inside of each finished square a different colour to make a patchwork.
  • If corners are tricky, go back to zigzags for a few days; they practise the same stop-and-turn.
  • Let your child pick which square to start with; ownership often helps attention.

Settings used

Dots Ø 2.4 mm · 5.5 mm apart
Start dot Ø 8 mm · finish ring Ø 6.4 mm
16 mm margins · A4 or US Letter

Questions parents ask

Why are the shape sheets labelled ages 3 to 5?

Children usually copy circles before squares, and squares often appear closer to four. A wider label keeps expectations relaxed, so a three-year-old who enjoys squares is welcome to try them and a five-year-old who wants more practice still fits. The label is a guide for parents, not a level a child has to reach.

Why is there a dot on every corner?

Corners are where the direction changes, so a dot there shows exactly where to turn. The sides are then divided evenly from corner to corner, which keeps the dots the same distance apart all the way round the square. It also means a child who stops on each corner dot is always exactly one side further round.

My child cuts the corners into curves. Is that okay?

Yes, that is very common. Curving the corner keeps the crayon moving, which feels natural. Stopping on the corner dot together and saying “turn” can help, but the curve usually sharpens up by itself with time and lots of drawing. Building squares from four lolly sticks or straws is another playful way to notice that each corner is a proper turn.

Can I get squares on US Letter paper?

Yes. Select US Letter in the generator and the squares are spaced for that page. The dot size, square size and spacing are set in millimetres, so a Letter sheet traces exactly like an A4 one. Remember to print at 100% or “Actual size”; letting the printer fit the page to the paper can quietly shrink every square.

Related worksheets

Circle tracing worksheets Cross tracing worksheets Pre-writing worksheets for 4-year-olds