Why keep alphabet learning going in summer
Summer is a good time for relaxed, play-based letter learning. Without the structure of a school day, short and playful activities, repeated often, can keep children interested in letters and sounds. Keep expectations gentle. Children learn the alphabet at different paces, and enjoyment matters more than speed.
Summer words from A to Z
Use this list as a starting point for read-alouds, word walls and games. Pick a few letters at a time rather than going through all 26.
- A: adventure, ants
- B: beach, bubbles, butterfly
- C: camping, cherries
- D: dive, daisy
- E: explore, evening
- F: firefly, flip-flops
- G: grass, garden
- H: hat, hike
- I: ice cream, insects
- J: jump rope, jellyfish (see items that start with J)
- K: kite, kayak
- L: lemonade, ladybug
- M: melon, mud
- N: nature, night sky
- O: ocean, outdoors
- P: picnic, pool
- Q: quiet time, quilt
- R: rainbow, rain shower
- S: sun, sand, sunscreen
- T: tent, towel
- U: umbrella, under the shade
- V: vegetables, vacation
- W: watermelon, waves
- X: x marks the spot (treasure hunt)
- Y: yellow, yo-yo
- Z: zoo, zigzag
Letter recognition activities
Letter hunt
Write a few letters on paper and hide them around a safe garden or room. Children find a letter, say its name or sound and place it on a mat. Start with the letters in their own name.
Sand or shaving cream letters
Children trace letters in a shallow tray of sand or in shaving cream. Supervise to keep these away from eyes and mouths, and check for skin sensitivities. See sense of touch activities for preschool for more tactile play.
Sidewalk chalk letters
Write big letters on the pavement and let children trace, hop to, or walk along them. Choose a spot away from traffic, in the shade where possible, and have children wear shoes on hot pavement.
Water paint letters
Use a brush and a bucket of water to paint letters on a fence or paving. They disappear as they dry, which many children enjoy.
Sticker or magnet matching
Match lowercase and uppercase letters. Large magnetic letters work well for older preschoolers. Small magnets are dangerous if swallowed, so use only products designed for young children and keep them away from toddlers.
Alphabet games
- Alphabet scavenger hunt: Find something outside for each letter you choose, such as a leaf for L.
- Beginning sound basket: Fill a basket with large objects that start with one letter, then switch letters. The ideas in initial sound activities for kindergarten work well here.
- Alphabet bean bag toss: Throw soft bean bags onto letters on the ground and say the letter. Use fabric bags that are well sewn, and keep to open space.
- Letter “I Spy”: “I spy something that starts with /s/.” Pair it with a read-aloud from summer storytime ideas.
- Alphabet memory: Match pairs of letter cards, uppercase with lowercase.
- Color-by-letter: Color letters on paper or cut out letters, as practice for cutting activities for pre-K.
Alphabet train ideas
An alphabet train is a simple way to turn letters into a game.
- Cut out or write one letter per paper “train car,” or use a toy train with letter cars.
- Line up the cars in order and say the letters while moving the train.
- Mix the cars and have children put them in order, starting with just five or six letters.
- Give each car a picture of something that starts with that letter, and say the word.
- Use floor tape for a track that children walk along, stopping at each letter.
If you use wooden or plastic train toys, check that the parts are too large to swallow, and watch younger siblings around small pieces. Paper cars are a safe alternative for toddlers.
Programs planning a full summer schedule can fit these games into kindergarten summer camp ideas.
Outdoor activities and summer safety
Summer play adds extra things to think about.
- Sun and heat: Plan outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, offer shade and water, and use sun protection as advised by your pediatrician or local guidance. Take breaks if children seem too hot.
- Water play: Any water, including a small paddling pool or bucket, needs constant, close adult attention. Children can drown in a very small amount of water, so never leave them alone near water, even briefly.
- Insects and plants: Teach children not to touch or eat unknown plants, berries or mushrooms, and be mindful of stinging insects.
- Small objects: Pebbles, shells and acorns can be choking hazards for toddlers and for children who mouth objects.
- Surfaces: Hot sidewalks, metal slides and sand can burn feet and hands, so check first.
- Chalk and paint: Use non-toxic products and wash hands afterward.
Frequently asked questions
What are some fun ways to teach letter recognition to preschoolers?
Short, hands-on games work well: letter hunts, tracing in sand or chalk, matching uppercase and lowercase letters, and finding the letters of the child’s own name around them.
What are some words related to summer, from A to Z?
See the list above, from adventure and beach to zoo and zigzag.
What are some creative ways to use alphabet trains?
Put letters on train cars, put them in order, add a picture to each car, or walk a floor-tape track. Start with a few letters and add more.
What are some fun games to practice the alphabet?
Scavenger hunts, bean bag tosses, “I spy” with first sounds and memory matching are all popular options.