It’s never too early to encourage your toddler to learn the alphabet, and there are plenty of fun activities to do just that. Most are easy and can be made at home, some you can buy, but all are fun alphabet activities your toddler will love.
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1. Letter matching with name
Some of the first letters children learn are the ones in their very own name! So, it’s easy to start there. Making this activity is easy and super fun. It will build confidence and letter recognition and help with one to one correspondence.
All you will need for this matching activity is construction paper and magnets. Just write their name on the paper, and on another piece write their name again. Cut out the second name and have them match it to original name. Then take some magnets and have them match them to the name. Make sure you only give them the letters they will need.(especially if there name is long)! When they are done matching have repeat after you as you say the letters in order (M-I-A).
Repeat this until they become independent and can say the letters on their own. Great activity to repeat over and over.
2. Rainbow color their name
This one is perfect for those toddlers who love to color or paint. Use the free worksheets provided and have them color the letters rainbow. The best thing about rainbow coloring, is that they color each letter a different color and make into a rainbow. They can use anything, crayons, markers, paint or color pencils. I even found a crayon that was rainbow and a pen they might like. Your can find the colored pen and the rainbow crayon on Amazon.
3. Sensory writing
Tracing letters meets a toddlers sensory seeking needs. PLUS, they can trace letters in just about anything.
Sand writing– Place sand on a small try and have them trace letters or words
Shaving cream writing– place shaving cream (the foaming white one), on a small tray. They can write any letter or number, plus they will have a ball getting it off their hands!
Paint writing– place some tempura paint in a gallon size bag and have them gently write the letters on it. You can use q- tips to write, or your finger.
4. Stamp it in play dough
Stamping letters is fun and can easily help with alphabet recognition. Show them a letter from a card and have them find the stamp and stamp it into the play dough. For this you will need only play dough and the play dough stampers.
5. Sing it
Singing the abc’s everyday is great for recognition of the alphabet. This particular video sings the alphabet while showing how the letters are formed. This way they are signing and using their muscle memory to remember how they are formed.
6. Match upper case to lower case games
Any game that includes matching uppercase letters to lower case letters, are great. You can find some printables on etsy. It’s simple, print them out and laminate them. You might be thinking you do don’t have a laminator, have no fear you can find one for a really good price on Amazon– it is definitely worth the investment if you have children!
7. Matching eggs game
Matching letters using eggs is one of my favorite activities. If you like DIY projects that this is definitely a game for you! You can either buy eggs (you can get them cheap) or use ones you have left over from the Easter Bunny. With a sharpie marker, you write the uppercase letter on one side and the lower case on the other. Kids will have a ball matching them together! If you likes this easy alphabet creation check out Momwifebusylife.com for more ideas.
8. Matching alphabet wheel
This alphabet wheel is another great etsy find. Once you download and print, use that brand new laminator I mentioned before, and cut each letter out. Tape or glue them to the clothes pin. Again clothes pins are cheap and you can find them on Amazon, or in a dollar store near you! Using a clothes pin to match the alphabet also strengthens your toddler tiny fingers. A skill they need master to do things such as writing and cutting in school.
9. Paper towel roll alphabet
Paper towel rolls are so fun to make alphabet activities with – trust me there are many. Put this one is simple and works on your toddlers fine motor skills. All you need is a paper towel roll, color stickers and a sharpie. Write the uppercase letters on the paper towel roll, and on the stickers write the lowercase letters. They will have a ball peeling off the stickers and matching them to the correct letter.
10. ABC pop it game
Toddlers love pop-its, and it makes alphabet activities all that more fun! For this game you need a pop it with the alphabet on it, and alphabet cards. You can make it yourself or buy one already made from Amazon. Put the cards in a pile, pick one and then have your toddler find that letter on the pop it. They can do this until all the letters are done!
Check out more educational toddler activities here.
I'm 40 years old and a mom of 2 three year olds and a first grader. I am also a Special education teacher. My passion has always been to help people, which is why I started this blog.