Phonics, the relationship between sounds and letters, plays a crucial role in early reading and writing development.
By introducing preschoolers to phonics activities, we can ignite their curiosity and set them on a path to becoming confident readers and spellers.
Hence, we’ve compiled a list of engaging phonics activities that are specifically designed for preschoolers.
Letter Sounds Treasure Hunt:
Create clue cards with pictures of objects that start with different letter sounds. Hide the clue cards around the room or outdoor area, and provide the children with a treasure map. As they discover the clue cards, encourage them to identify the initial sound of each object.
Phonics Sensory Bin:
Create a sensory bin filled with materials such as rice, sand, or dried beans. Add small objects or picture cards that represent various letter sounds. As children dig their hands into the bin, they can search for specific objects and say the corresponding sounds. The tactile experience enhances their memory and reinforces letter-sound associations.
Alphabet Relay Race:
Energize phonics learning with an alphabet relay race. Divide the children into teams and set up two stations, one at the starting point and another at the finish line. Place letter cards or objects with letters at each station. When the race begins, the first player from each team races to the starting point picks a letter, and correctly identifies its sound. They then run to the finish line and hand the letter to the next player.
Sticky Letter Match:
Write letters on sticky notes or use magnetic letters. Scatter them around a wall or whiteboard. Call out a letter sound, and the children must find and place the corresponding letter next to the sound.
Rhyming Bingo:
Create bingo cards with pictures or words that rhyme, and provide each child with a card. Call out a word, and the children must find and cover the corresponding rhyming word on their cards. This activity enhances phonemic awareness, encourages active listening, and reinforces the concept of rhyming.
Word Family Flip Books:
Create simple flip books by folding pieces of paper in half and stapling them together. Write a word family on each page, such as “-at,” “-ap,” or “-ad.” On the top half of each page, leave a blank space for the initial letter. Provide a set of letter cards or magnetic letters for the children to choose from. They can place the appropriate letter in the blank space to create different words within the word family.
Alphabet Hopscotch:
Take the classic game of hopscotch and give it a phonics twist. Draw a hopscotch grid on the floor or use masking tape outside. Instead of numbers, write letters in each square. As the children hop from square to square, they must say the letter sound or a word that starts with the letter.
Picture Sound Puzzles:
Create puzzles using picture cards and corresponding letter cards. Choose pictures that represent different letter sounds and cut them into pieces. Mix up the puzzle pieces and have the children match the picture to the correct letter sound.
Alphabet Relay Beanbag Toss:
Set up two baskets or buckets, each labeled with a different letter of the alphabet. Divide the children into two teams and provide them with beanbags or softballs. When you call out a letter sound, a child from each team must take turns tossing the beanbag into the basket that corresponds to a word that starts with that sound.
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt:
Create a scavenger hunt where children search for objects that start with different letters of the alphabet. Provide them with a list of letters and let them explore their surroundings to find objects that match each letter. For example, they might find an apple for “A” or a ball for “B.”
Rhyme Time Charades:
Write rhyming words on individual cards and place them in a jar or bowl. One child picks a card, reads the word silently, and acts it out without speaking. The other children try to guess the word based on their actions.
Magnetic Letter Match-Up:
Gather a variety of magnetic letters and a magnetic surface, such as a whiteboard or cookie sheet. Write or draw simple words on small cards and mix them up. The children select a card and use the magnetic letters to spell out the word correctly. This hands-on activity strengthens letter recognition, spelling skills, and fine motor coordination.
Phonics Puzzles:
Create puzzles by cutting out letters or pictures and separating them into pieces. Mix up the puzzle pieces and challenge the children to put them back together correctly. For example, they might need to match a picture of a cat with the letter “C.”
Sound Sort Relay:
Divide the children into teams and set up two sorting stations with different letter sounds written on cards. Place a pile of objects or picture cards in the middle. One player from each team races to the pile, picks an object, and places it in the correct sorting station based on its beginning sound. The relay continues until all the objects are sorted.
Phonics Musical Chairs:
Arrange chairs in a circle, facing outward, with one less chair than the number of children. Write letters or words on small cards and place them on each chair. Play music while the children walk or dance around the chairs. When the music stops, they must quickly find a chair and identify the letter sound or word on the card. Remove one chair each round.
Build-a-Word Sensory Bag:
Create a sensory bag by filling a ziplock bag with a small amount of hair gel, glitter, or colored liquid. Add letter cards or magnetic letters into the bag. Seal it tightly and let the children manipulate the gel to find and arrange the letters to build words.
Phonics Relay Drawing:
Divide the children into teams and provide each team with a large sheet of paper and a marker. Call out a letter sound or word, and the first player from each team races to the paper and quickly draws a picture that represents that sound or word. The next player continues the drawing, adding more details. The relay continues, with each player adding to the drawing. The final result is a collaborative artwork that reinforces phonics vocabulary and creativity.
