Teaching preschoolers the letters of the alphabet can be so much fun with these hands-on learning activities! If you are unsure of what order to teach the letters, check out this post in which I describe the best way to teach letter recognition to preschoolers.
It is super important that we introduce letters in this special order. We start with name letters, then progress through the alphabet letters in small groups beginning with s, a, t, i, p, n. We teach the letter names in lowercase and uppercase form, and the letter sounds. This allows us to move right into sound blending and reading words like: sat, pat, tin, pin, etc. This order is truly remarkable!
You can grab the free printable Teaching Letter Recognition guide that shares with you this letter order and a few activities to get you started right here:
And here is a video I created for you all about this special letter order and how to teach children the alphabet:
And just in case that video doesn’t work for you (it can sometimes be a bit fussy when I upload it in this way) I also have it available on YouTube which is embedded below for you to view right here:
Now that all of the behind the scenes information is ready, let’s get learning those letters!
This post includes ideas to teach letter recognition of uppercase and lowercase letters as well as letter sounds through play while incorporating fine motor skills, gross motor skills and sensory input.
To create most of these activities you will need basic craft supplies, household objects and standard toys found in most homes.
Activities for Learning Uppercase and Lowercase Letters
ABC Go Fish Preschool Card Game – Preschoolers will have fun playing this homemade ABC Go Fish Game which can be customized to include uppercase and lowercase letters. All you need are some index cards and markers.
A-maze-ing Learning Letter Game– Kids will have so much fun learning letters with this large scale maze on the floor! All you need is easy to peel off tape such as painters tape or washi tape.
Zoom and Sort the ABCs– Car loving preschoolers will love this zoom and sort the ABCs activity. Simply use tape to create a parking lot on the floor and stickers to give the cars letters. Then have your preschooler sort the letters alphabetically.
Flying into Letter Recognition– Create some paper airplanes and put some letters on the floor with tape to make this high flying letter recognition game. Preschoolers to throw the paper airplanes and say the letter they land on.
Mail Play! Matching Uppercase and Lowercase Letters– Little kids love getting mail! Create this uppercase and lowercase matching game with paper and envelopes.
Phonics Letter Activities
Beginning Sound Toy Scoop – This is the perfect letter sounds activity to do in the summer! Fill your pool with little toys for each letter sound and have your preschooler scoop them out and match them to the letters.
Ice Cream Cone ABC Match by 3 Dinosaurs. Learning letters sounds couldn’t be easier than this ice cream cone printable! Simply print, cut and have your child start matching the pictures to the letters.
Letter Sound Clip Cards by The Measured Mom. Here’s another easy printable to help preschoolers learn letter sounds. All you need is the printable cards and clips.
Sound Matching Sensory Bin by Busy Toddler. This fun sensory bin has preschoolers matching objects to letter sounds. All you need is a simple sensory bin, some little toys and letters to match to.
Printable Alphabet Memory Game Cards by Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls. This fun memory match game will help your children remember the sounds of the letters. Simply print, cut and play!
Fine Motor Activities for Learning Letters
ABC Playdough Mats– Preschoolers can build fine motor skills as they roll play dough into letters with these printable ABC Playdough mats. You only have to print the mats and get out some play dough.
Building Alphabet Letters by JDaniel’s Mom. This adorable farm printable mat is a fun way for preschoolers to learn the alphabet. All you need are some craft sticks and this printable mat.
Touch & Feel Letters by Teach Me Mommy. These homemade touch and feel letters are an excellent way for young learners to learn letter formation. All you need is some cardboard, pipe cleaners and glue.
Geoboard Letter Match Activity for Learning Letters by A Little Pinch of Perfect. This fun geoboard activity will help preschooler build fine motor skills as well as learn uppercase and lowercase letters. All you need is a geoboard, rubberbands, stickers and a marker.
Fine Motor Bubble Wrap Letter Play by Nuture Store. This bubble wrap activity is a fun way for kids to practice fine motor skills and letter recognition. All you need is some bubble wrap and a permanent marker.
Gross Motor Activities for Learning Letters
Active Alphabet Activity – Get outside and get active with this alphabet activity! Kids will have fun using their bodies and shadows to form the letters.
Swat the ABC Balloons – Have fun with balloons with this alphabet activity. You’ll need balloons, permanent marker and a swatter.
Alphabet Matching Game: On the Run– Little kids will have fun running around outside as they search for the letters of the alphabet with this scavenger hunt activity. Simply use clothespin to clip paper letters to trees and bushes for the kids to find.
Puddle Jumping Alphabet Activity by Fun Learning for Kids. Let kids hop around the house with this puddle jumping alphabet activity! Simply make puddles using blue construction paper and write letters on them to work on letter recognition.
Outdoor Alphabet Track by I Can Teach My Child. Create an alphabet path outside for your preschoolers to walk or ride their bikes on. All you need is sidewalk chalk.
Sensory Activities for Learning Letters
Letter Hunt Sensory Bin – Create a sensory bin with letters and have your preschooler work to match the letters to the picture with the appropriate letter sound.
Alphabet Slime by Little Bins for Little Hands. Preschoolers love slime! What better way to learn letter recognition than through playing with alphabet slime and reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.
Digging for Alphabet Shells at Pre-K Pages. Take learning outside by creating alphabet shells for your young learners to dig for in the sand box. For this activity you will need a box of sand, shells and a permanent marker.
Alphabet Sensory Bag by The Best Ideas for Kids. This neat idea uses a plastic baggie, clear gel and plastic letters to create an alphabet sensory bag. Kids will have fun trying to move the plastic uppercase letters to the matching lowercase letters.
Shaving Cream Alphabet Stack by Life Over C’s. This fun activity uses foam letters and shaving cream to create some messy play! Preschoolers can call out the name of the letters as they stack them up!
I hope these 25 letter activities inspire you to have some fun learning with your preschooler!
If you want more step-by-step support, or a completely done-for-you curriculum, be sure to check out:
Play into Kindergarten Readiness for 3-5 year olds:
One activity per day, ALL of these skills (and all core preschool skills) DONE!
And Kindergarten at Home for 4-6 year olds:
One hour a day over 3 days, a total of 9 play-based activities per week, and the WHOLE kindergarten curriculum is covered!
