Whose class doesn’t love a game? Which teacher doesn’t love it to have some hidden learning? Here are 5 of my favorite hands on and engaging alphabet games.
Most of these games require little to no prep, and very few supplies, probably things you already have in your classroom.
1. Slap it-
You’ll need alphabet cards and two pointers or fly swats. I love to make these as seasonal or theme based as possible. I choose alphabet cards with themed clip art and pointers with themes if I can find them.
To start sit children in a large circle, place the alphabet cards face up on the floor inside their circle. Choose two children to have the pointers. Call out one of the letters on the floor, the two children standing then search for the letter. The first one to find the letter uses the pointer or fly swat to slap the letter. The child who doesn’t find the letter gives their pointer to a new child. Continue until all children have had a turn. You can say letter sound instead of letter names to make this game more challenging.
Farm Alphabet and Number Activities used with a fly swat
2. Kaboom
You will need a set of alphabet cards, or sticks (popsicle sticks with letters written on them) and cards or sticks with the word Kaboom on them. (I’d suggest about 5.)
Place all cards or sticks in a pile. The children take turns choosing cards. They must read the letter on the card. If they choose the card with Kaboom on it they put their cards at the bottom and the next child goes. I like this game because there is rarely a winner when played with a group. You can also ask more advance students to use sounds instead of letter names.
3). Musical Alphabet letters
Instead of using chairs place alphabet cards place in a circle for each child. I’ll choose letters my class is struggling with. The children all stand by a letter and walk in a circle to the music. When the music stops they read the letter they are in front of. Take away a letter each round. The child who doesn’t have a card each round is out. Mine usually go to literacy centers when they get out.
4). Sneaky Letters
You will need alphabet cards, a pocket chart, and an object to hide behind one of the cards. Again I like to keep these cards related to our current theme. For example, the snowman hiding behind the trees or the the astronaut is hiding behind the planets. The teacher hides the card behind the letter or number cards. The children then guess which card it is hidden behind. When it’s found you simply start again. This is a great whole group activity.
5). Snowball fights
What child doesn’t like a good snowball fight? And who wouldn’t love trying this game during the winter or the summer. On 1/2 or quarter sized paper write alphabet letter. Crumble the papers into balls. Have the children stand in a circle and pour the balls in the center. Children pick up the balls and toss them at each other until I say stop. When I say “stop” they must find one read the letter aloud and recrumple. Then we start again.
I have two rules for this game 1) no heads- you must throw at people’s feet. 2) no leaving the rug. I stand on the edge and toss in snowballs that come out.
My alphabet and number themed packs include uppercase and lowercase numbers that make these games super simple. The various themes suit your students interest. Catch the mega bundle here or check out the individual themes.
