Writing Wizard

Writing Wizard is a handwriting app for young children practicing letters, numbers, and words. It suits parents and teachers who want guided tracing they can adapt and review. Its strongest case is the combination of on-screen practice and printable work; the free download is only a starting point.

Overview

The app focuses on print handwriting rather than broader writing instruction. Adults can adjust letter size and difficulty, and choose whether to keep a model visible as children trace. That makes practice adaptable, but the narrow focus may not suit families looking for cursive instruction or a wider literacy curriculum.

Key features

Tracing is guided toward correct letter formation. Animated stickers and sound effects add feedback, while four letter-animating games and 5-Stars mode offer variety for young learners. These rewards may help keep practice engaging, though tracing remains the central activity.

Parents and teachers can create word lists and record audio for each word, giving children practice with selected vocabulary. Detailed reports show what a child has traced and let adults replay and export the tracings. The app also creates PDF handwriting worksheets for printing or emailing, which is useful when practice needs to continue away from a screen.

Word lists can be shared through iCloud Drive, other cloud providers, an ad hoc network, or email. Schools can remotely configure some settings with MDM and push word lists to devices; school versions are available for iPad and Android or Chromebook deployments. The maker says activity stays on the device, is not sent outside it, and the apps contain no ads. It also says it receives no student personally identifiable information or education records.

Pricing

The free app costs nothing, but does not include all letters or custom words; those require an in-app purchase or subscription. It is suitable for trying the basic experience, not for assuming the full content is included.

• Full Access - Monthly: $2.49 a month, billed monthly, for full access. This avoids a larger upfront payment, but costs more over time than the one-time full-access option.
• Add Your Words and Word Lists: $5.99, paid once, for custom words and word lists. Choose it if personalization is the priority and the included letters and numbers are enough.
• All Letters and Numbers: $5.99, paid once, for letters and numbers. It suits learners who need that content but not custom word lists.
• Lifetime Full Access: $9.99, paid once, for full access. This is the straightforward choice for ongoing use if full access is needed.

Schools purchasing more than 20 iPad licenses receive a 50% discount. Schools cannot buy in-app purchases through Apple School Manager or MDM, a practical constraint for managed deployments.

Platforms

Writing Wizard supports iOS and Android. The maker says a Windows installer is available upon request, so Windows users should expect to request it rather than download it directly. School versions also support Chromebook deployments.

Who it's for

The app is aimed at toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, first graders, and other early learners working on handwriting. It is particularly well suited to adults who want configurable tracing, custom vocabulary, progress review, and printable exercises. Readers seeking a broader writing mode than print should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Adjustable tracing difficulty and model visibility let adults tailor practice to a child.
• Pros: Custom word lists, recorded audio, and detailed reports make practice personal and progress review concrete.
• Pros: Exportable tracings and PDF worksheets connect app practice with review and paper exercises.
• Cons: The free download omits some letters and custom words, so a complete setup may require a paid option.
• Cons: Print-only writing keeps the app focused on one handwriting mode.
• Cons: School purchases through Apple School Manager or MDM cannot include in-app purchases.

Alternatives

For more options, browse Handwriting Practice Apps.

Choose LetterSchool if you want a free first step that includes five uppercase and lowercase letters, five shapes, and three CVC flashcards, with a free trial also offered.

Handwriting Repeater is a better fit for sentence repetition: its free plan has no sentence or repetition limits and requires no account.

Choose iTrace if a free version with handwriting warm-ups, three letters, and one interactive scene is a closer fit; premium features cost $3.99, paid once.

Kanji Dojo is another free option, described by its maker as open source.

Cursive: Learn Cursive is another freemium option for readers considering a different handwriting app.

Hanzi Writer offers core writing practice features free, with a Pro monthly plan priced in-app.

Kitsunewa Writing Practice has free writing practice without signup, alongside a Pro plan at $4.08 a month billed yearly at $49.

Letterpaths is a free alternative with Android, iOS, and web availability.

Verdict

Writing Wizard is a strong choice for parents and early-years teachers who want guided print tracing plus tools to personalize, inspect, and extend practice on paper. The main reason to choose it is that coherent mix; look elsewhere if you need a broader writing mode or want the full letter and custom-word content without paying.