Favorite Writing Table Materials

Inside: I have a variety of  favorite writing table materials that are used in my toddler and preschool classroom. I vary which ones I put out each week to keep it fresh and engaging. The writing table is a great center to work on fine motor and literacy skills, too!

During centers time we have many different areas of the classroom for our toddlers and preschoolers to explore. One of them is the writing center, which introduces the children to different writing tools and other materials. We change what we put at this center usually every week, when we switch out our themes.

Related post: Creating a Writing Center in the Preschool Classroom

I am often asked what our favorite materials are, so I put together this easy resource, along with a printable you can download and keep when you are creating school supply lists. Scroll down to find and download it!

Our Favorite Writing Center Materials

Golf Pencils – We use these because they are shorter and children have a harder time “fisting” them. They make a great companion with clipboards and paper, at the writing center, and whenever a pencil is used with an art activity.

Washable Broad Line Markers – We use markers often at our writing table. We choose washable for the obvious reasons! We also like using Pip Squeaks because they are shorter, and have the same advantages of the short golf pencils.

Do-a-Dot Markers – This is a very favorite with our toddlers and preschoolers. We use them at the art table, easel, and the writing center. If you need a quick and easy activity, anything with these markers works perfectly. If you want to tap into the sense of smell, try the fruit scented markers!

Dry Erase Lap Boards – These can be used with dry erase markers, dry erase crayons, Do-a-Dot Markers, stencils, and more! You can see how we use dry erase boards in this post: Developing Pre-Writing Skills On a Dry Erase Board.

Small Chalk Boards – These have similar benefits to the dry erase boards, and we like to use them with white or colored chalk.

Finger Crayons – Our 2s not only love to draw with these, but they also enjoy stacking them, over and over again. Triangle crayons are nice for smaller fingers as well, and won’t roll off the table. Younger toddlers might feel more comfortable using palm grasp crayons. Since our preschool uses the Learning Without Tears program, we also provide Flip Crayons.

White Drawing Paper – Paper is an obvious staple to the toddler and preschool writing table. They are perfect for using with writing and drawing tools. Another fun fine motor activity is to give the children small sections of circle stickers that they can press onto the paper. Stamp sets with washable ink pads are fun to use with paper, too!

More writing center materials: