Fun and Simple Alphabet Games for Preschoolers Through First Grade

Learning the alphabet and letter recognition is a paramount task for young elementary school students. Reading is of the utmost educational importance to our children today. School curriculums are very heavily weighted in reading and language arts, even from before the time your kids walk through the doors. School systems have high expectations of kindergarteners and students in the early grades, with a solid alphabet learning base being the primary goal for preschool and kindergarten, and on into the first grade. Without such a base, children will quickly fall behind and struggle with subsequent learning.

Teachers expect that children entering kindergarten will have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the alphabet, with a strong emphasis on letter recognition. Both teachers and parents struggle with helping children gain this knowledge, without overwhelming them and causing boredom and frustration. Teachers recognize that the best way to help a child learn is not through repetitive rote activities, but with fun and interesting learning games. Discussed here are some fun, simple, and inexpensive alphabet games and activities you can play at home with any child preschool age or older to gain a much needed alphabet learning base, and reinforce what your children are learning at school.

Letter Hunt
This is a fun activity that is active as well, another very important aspect to consider in the life and learning of a young child. To prepare the game, cut squares of paper and write a different letter of the alphabet on each one. Tuck the letters into a plastic Easter egg and hide them around the house or yard. When your child finds an egg, have them tell you the letter inside. To take the game a step further for an older child, ask them to point out something in the room or yard, or think of any word that begins with that letter sound.

Magnetic Letters
Plastic letter and number magnets sold inexpensively in grocery and toy stores are a great learning tool to have in your home for casual and on-the-go learning. Hang them on your refrigerator, on the side of a laundry dryer or anywhere where you and your child might both be while you go about your daily chores. As you clean and move around, play small games. Ask your child to find you certain letters, spell their name, or find the letter that sounds like 'aah'.

Magnetic alphabets are excellent for on the go traveling and learning games in the car. Give your child a small cookie sheet and keep the magnets in baggy. Play the same types of games on the highway or on the way to dance, soccer and activities. These magnets can be invaluable, cheap learning tools for busy families. When purchasing, you may want to buy more than one set; this way, your child will be able to play matching games with you or by themselves, and older children will have enough letters to build words.

Beanbag Toss
Next time you are out, pick up some inexpensive beanbags. Using a large piece of cardboard, card stock, or large paper, write each letter of the alphabet randomly in a square on the board (use both capitals and lower case letters). Laminate the game board with contact paper for more longevity. Play simple beanbag toss games, having your child call out the letter their bean bag lands on. When that game gets old, ask your child to aim for a certain letter, spell their names or small words their class has been working on. Many kindergarten and first grade teachers have a list of sight words their students are expected to learn. Ask your teacher for a list and make a beanbag toss with the words. This is an excellent way for older children to learn vocabulary and spelling words as well.

Letter Search
This game can be done anywhere, at virtually any time.

Give your child an old magazine or newspaper, and a brightly colored pen or marker. Ask your child to look over the page and circle a particular letter. Encourage them to find the letter in both its capital and lower case form. You can do this with vocabulary and site words with older children, too. Re-use the paper by asking your child to circle different letters in different colors. Extend the learning by having them count the number of 'a's' or 'm's' they found. Just think about all the areas of learning going on with this one simple activity!

Letter Tiles
You can purchase tiles from a toy or learning store, or you can cheaply and easily make your own. Cut small squares of card stock and write a different letter on each tile. Use the letters for identification games, concentration and matching games. Have children build their names and arrange the letters to make words and small sentences. For a fun way to identify letters, put the tiles in a bag or a hat. As your child pulls out letters, ask them to tell you what each letter is.

Along with the tiles, laminate a strip of card stock with clear contact paper that your child can write words and letters on with a dry-erase marker. Using the tiles, tell your child what letters to pick out for certain words, and help them arrange them if necessary. Ask your child to copy the word onto the laminated strip. A dry or damp paper towel will easily clean off the marker for repeated use.

These are just a few fun games to play to make learning the alphabet and letters more fun for your child, helping them to gain a firm knowledge of the alphabet, the very first and most key element in becoming a proficient reader. When learning is active and fun, your child will be itching to learn and play with you. A fun love of learning will go far to keep your child interested and progressing.