File folder games are a fantastic resource for preschoolers that combine learning with play.
These games are simple, cost-effective, and can be easily assembled using basic materials.
In this article, we have compiled a list of free file folder games for preschoolers.
They are not only educational but also entertaining, making them ideal for both classroom settings and home learning environments.
Activity Idea 1: “Color Match-Up”
In this game, children will practice identifying and matching colors. Begin by cutting out different colored squares from the paper or cardstock. Glue one square of each color onto the file folder, creating a colorful grid. Then, cut out additional squares of the same colors and place them in a pile. The objective of the game is for children to match the loose squares to the corresponding colors on the file folder grid. They can do this by placing the squares on top of the matching colors.
Activity Idea 2: “Shape Sorting”
For this activity, children will practice recognizing and sorting shapes. Start by cutting out various shapes (such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles) from colored construction paper. Glue one of each shape onto the file folder, creating a sorting chart. Then, cut out additional shapes and place them in a pile. The goal of the game is for children to sort the loose shapes into the corresponding sections on the file folder. They can do this by placing the shapes in the designated areas.
Activity Idea 3: “Counting Fun”
In this game, children will develop their counting skills. On the file folder, draw a simple scene, such as a garden with flowers or a jungle with animals. Then, create index cards with numbers written on them, ranging from 1 to 10. Optionally, you can add stickers to represent objects in the scene (e.g., flowers, animals). The objective is for children to count the objects in the scene and match them to the corresponding number on the index cards. They can do this by placing the cards next to the objects or by placing stickers on the file folder itself.
Activity Idea 4: “Letter Matching”
This game focuses on letter recognition and matching. Start by placing alphabet stickers or printed letters randomly in the file folder. Then, provide children with markers and instruct them to trace each letter on the folder. After tracing, children can match additional stickers or printed letters to the corresponding ones on the file folder.
Activity Idea 5: “Opposite Pairs”
In this game, children will explore the concept of opposites. Begin by drawing or printing pictures or drawings representing opposite concepts, such as big/small, hot/cold, up/down. Glue one picture from each pair onto the file folder, leaving space for the matching picture. Create index cards with the names of the opposite pairs written on them. The objective of the game is for children to match the index cards to the corresponding pictures on the file folder by placing the cards next to the appropriate images.
Activity Idea 6: “Pattern Play”
This activity focuses on pattern recognition and repetition. Cut out strips of colored paper or cardstock in various colors and patterns (e.g., red-blue-red-blue or circle-square-circle-square). Glue one strip of each pattern onto the file folder, creating a pattern guide. Then, cut out additional strips with the same patterns and mix them up. The goal is for children to recreate the patterns by placing the loose strips in the correct order.
Activity Idea 7: “Number Sequencing”
On the file folder, draw a simple scene with objects or characters, leaving space for numbers. Create index cards with numbers written on them, ranging from 1 to 10 (or higher for advanced learners). Optionally, add stickers or drawings representing objects or characters in the scene. The objective is for children to place the number cards in the correct order on the file folder, corresponding to the objects or characters in the scene.
Activity Idea 8: “Rhyming Words”
Draw or glue pictures or printed words representing different rhyming pairs (e.g., cat-hat, sun-run). Create index cards with the rhyming word pairs written on them. The goal is for children to match the index cards to the corresponding pictures or words on the file folder by placing the cards next to the appropriate pairs. This game promotes phonemic awareness, and vocabulary development, and strengthens visual discrimination skills.
Activity Idea 9: “Size Sort”
Cut out shapes of different sizes (e.g., small, medium, large) from colored paper or cardstock. Glue one shape of each size onto the file folder, creating a size sorting chart. Then, cut out additional shapes and mix them up. The objective is for children to sort the loose shapes into the correct sections on the file folder, based on their sizes. They can do this by placing the shapes in the designated areas.
Activity Idea 10: “Community Helpers Match-Up”
Draw or glue pictures or printed words representing various community helpers (e.g., firefighters, doctors, teachers). Create index cards with the names of the community helpers written on them. The goal is for children to match the index cards to the corresponding pictures or words on the file folder by placing the cards next to the appropriate community helpers.
Activity Idea 11: “Letter Sound Match”
Create index cards with uppercase and lowercase letters written on them. The objective is for children to match the index cards to the corresponding pictures on the file folder by placing the cards next to the appropriate objects. For added difficulty, you can also use small objects instead of pictures and have children place the objects in the folder.
Activity Idea 12: “Counting Puzzles”
Cut out the pictures and create puzzle pieces by dividing them into sections. Number each section of the puzzle pieces. Mix up the puzzle pieces and place them in a pile. The goal is for children to assemble the puzzles by placing the pieces in the correct order on the file folder, following the numerical sequence.
Activity Idea 13: “Emotion Match-Up”
Create index cards with the names of the emotions written on them. The objective is for children to match the index cards to the corresponding pictures on the file folder by placing the cards next to the appropriate emotions.
Activity Idea 14: “Beginning Sound Sort”
In this activity, children will practice identifying the beginning sounds of words. On the file folder, draw or glue pictures or printed words representing various objects or animals. Create index cards with the uppercase letters of the alphabet written on them. The goal is for children to sort the index cards by placing them next to the pictures or words that have matching beginning sounds.
Activity Idea 15: “Opposite Word Puzzles”
This activity focuses on learning opposite words through puzzles. On the file folder, draw or glue pictures or printed words representing opposite pairs (e.g., hot-cold, day-night). Cut out each picture or word, and then cut each one in half vertically to create puzzle pieces. Mix up the puzzle pieces and place them in a pile. The objective is for children to match the opposite puzzle pieces by placing them together in the file folder.
Activity Idea 16: “Sorting by Attributes”
On the file folder, draw or glue pictures or labels representing different attributes (e.g., red, square, big). Create index cards with the attributes written on them. Collect objects with various attributes and place them in a pile. The goal is for children to sort the objects by placing them in the correct attribute category in the file folder. For example, a red apple would go under the “red” category.
Activity Idea 17: “Number Bonds”
On the file folder, draw or glue pictures or labels representing numbers and their corresponding parts (e.g., 5 – 2 – 3). Create index cards with the numbers written on them. Provide counters or small objects for manipulatives. The objective is for children to use the counters to create number bonds by placing them in the file folder. For example, they would place two counters in the “2” section and three counters in the “3” section to complete the number bond for 5.
Activity Idea 18: “Sight Word Match-Up”
This activity focuses on sight word recognition. On the file folder, draw or glue pictures or labels representing different sight words. Create index cards with the sight words written on them. The goal is for children to match the sight word index cards to the corresponding words on the file folder by placing the cards next to the appropriate pictures or labels.
Activity Idea 19: “Memory Game”
This classic preschool memory game is easily adapted to a file folder format. On the file folder, draw or glue pairs of pictures or printed words facedown. Create index cards with matching pairs written on them. The objective is for children to find the matching pairs by turning over two cards at a time. If the cards match, they keep them. If not, they turn them facedown again.
Activity Idea 20: “CVC Word Puzzles”
This activity focuses on building CVC words. On the file folder, draw or glue pictures or printed CVC words, each representing a different word (e.g., cat, dog, hat). Cut each word into individual letters, creating puzzle pieces. Mix up the puzzle pieces and place them in a pile. The goal is for children to assemble the CVC words by placing the puzzle pieces in the correct order in the file folder.
