Making Writing Easier: Games and Tricks to Support Children With Dysgraphia

Summary

Below, we explore what dysgraphia is, and share some of the games and tricks our tutors swear by.

Dysgraphia is one of the most misunderstood learning differences. It affects writing, but not in the way many people assume. Children with dysgraphia often have brilliant ideas, rich imaginations, and strong verbal skills. What they struggle with is the physical act of writing: forming letters, spacing words, organising thoughts on paper, remembering spellings, or keeping handwriting legible and consistent.

For these learners, writing can feel exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes even painful. When the mechanics of writing get in the way, confidence can drop quickly.

But here’s the good news: writing doesn’t have to start with a pencil.

At SEND Tutoring, we use games, movement, sensory tools, and playful activities to build the underlying skills that make writing easier, without pressure, without shame, and without endless worksheets. This approach is echoed beautifully by Rachel Begley, writer, advocate, and mum of three, whose daughter has dysgraphia. On her platform Princesses Can Wear Kickers, she shares practical, joyful ways to support children who find writing difficult. As Rachel puts it, many of the best tools are

“games that build the skills behind writing, without feeling like work.”

Below, we explore what dysgraphia is, and share some of the games and tricks our tutors (and Rachel) swear by.

What Is Dysgraphia?

Dysgraphia is a neurological difference that affects written expression. It can impact:

• handwriting
• letter formation
• spacing and sizing
• spelling
• organising ideas
• fine motor control
• working memory during writing tasks

It’s not caused by laziness, lack of effort, or low ability.

It’s simply the way the brain processes and coordinates writing-related tasks.

Children with dysgraphia often know exactly what they want to say, but getting it onto the page is the hard part. That’s why games, movement, and multisensory activities are so powerful: they strengthen the foundations of writing without the pressure of producing perfect handwriting.

Before We Write, We Play

Just as dyscalculia learners need real-life maths, dysgraphia learners need real-life writing experiences, sensory, physical, playful, and low-pressure.

Rachel Begley emphasises this in her guidance for parents, explaining that many children

“need to build the underlying skills first the motor skills, the confidence, the muscle memory before writing becomes comfortable.”

At SEND Tutoring, we take the same approach. We don’t start with handwriting sheets. We start with games that build:

• fine motor strength
• hand–eye coordination
• sequencing
• spatial awareness
• working memory
• confidence

Because when the foundations are strong, writing becomes far less overwhelming.

Games and Tricks That Help Dysgraphia Learners Thrive

Below are some of the most effective, child‑friendly activities our tutors use, many of which Rachel has also tried and tested with her daughter at home.

Balloon Games for Hand Strength & Coordination

Batting a balloon back and forth builds:

• bilateral coordination
• timing
• shoulder stability
• core strength

All essential for handwriting stamina.

Try:

• “Keep it up”
• Balloon tennis
• Balloon volleyball

It’s fun, fast, and brilliant for reluctant writers.

Writing in Sensory Materials

Before pencil control comes finger control.

Use:

• shaving foam
• salt trays
• sand
• rice
• finger paint

Children can trace letters, shapes, or patterns without the pressure of neatness. Rachel highlights how sensory writing

“reduces anxiety and makes early writing feel playful rather than stressful.”

Jigsaw Puzzles & Construction Toys

These build:

• spatial awareness
• visual–motor integration
• problem‑solving
• sequencing

All of which support handwriting and written organisation.

Try:

• LEGO
• magnetic tiles
• wooden blocks
• tangram puzzles

Cutting, Pinching & Tweezers Games

Fine motor strength is a huge part of dysgraphia support.

This can include:

• cutting shapes
• threading beads
• using tweezers to pick up pom‑poms
• pegboard patterns
• playdough rolling and shaping

Rachel often emphasises that

“strengthening the hands makes writing less tiring and more achievable.”

Dice Games for Sequencing & Working Memory

Writing requires remembering steps, and dice games are perfect for practising this.

Try:

• roll a number and complete a movement
• roll to build a silly story
• roll to choose drawing prompts

These games build the cognitive skills behind writing without ever touching a pencil.

Whiteboards Instead of Paper

Whiteboards feel less permanent and less intimidating.

They allow students to:

• erase mistakes easily
• write bigger
• experiment with spacing
• practise without pressure

Rachel notes that

“removing the fear of making mistakes can transform a child’s willingness to write.”

Drawing Before Writing

Drawing builds:

• planning
• sequencing
• visual storytelling
• hand control

Ask students to draw a scene, then talk about it, then write one sentence about it. This bridges the gap between ideas and written expression.

Mind Maps & Visual Organisers

For children who struggle to organise thoughts, mind maps reduce the load on working memory.

Use colours, doodles, arrows, anything that helps ideas flow.

Why These Games Work

These activities don’t just make writing easier, they make it possible.

They build the skills that dysgraphia learners need long before handwriting becomes fluent.

Rachel Begley captures this perfectly when she explains that children with dysgraphia

“need tools that meet them where they are, not where the curriculum expects them to be.”

At SEND Tutoring, we couldn’t agree more.

We don’t force writing before a child is ready.

We build confidence, strength, and joy first.

Because when writing feels safe and achievable, everything else follows.

Supporting Dysgraphia Students With Confidence and Compassion

Dysgraphia doesn’t have to hold a child back. With the right tools, the right games, and the right support, writing can become less stressful, and sometimes even enjoyable.

If you’d like to explore more practical ideas, games, and lived‑experience insights from a parent who truly understands dysgraphia, we highly recommend visiting Rachel Begley’s blog, Princesses Can Wear Kickers. Rachel writes openly and brilliantly about supporting her children, and her guides are packed with helpful strategies. Her article on dysgraphia‑friendly games includes direct links to specific products, tools, and resources that she has personally found helpful, making it easy for families to try out the activities she recommends.

You can read her full guide here. 

Her work is a fantastic companion to the approaches we use at SEND Tutoring, grounded, compassionate, and focused on helping children thrive in ways that feel joyful and achievable. If you’d like help from tutors who understand dysgraphia, neurodiversity, and the power of playful learning, visit our Find a Tutor page. SEND Tutoring is here to support every child, every family, and every learning journey.

Support for Every Learner
Discover how SEND Tutoring supports students with a wide range of needs, including dysgraphia, ADHD, autism, dyslexia, PDA, SEMH, epilepsy, and more. 

Resources and Insights 

Looking for more practical tools and expert guidance? Visit our resources page for additional blogs, strategies, and helpful links.

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Ella Jones

If you’re looking for support for a child or young person with special educational needs or a disability, book a free call with us today and find out how we can help.