Young children are mesmerized by magic tricks and the word "Abracadabra!" In this activity, you will create a special box to use to help your child learn her letter sounds. By pretending to be a magician and having your child be your assistant, you will turn learning letters into a magical experience! You can also use this box to help teach your child letter names, sight words or math facts.
What You Need:
- Shoebox
- Colorful wrapping paper
- Colorful tissue paper
- Scarf or magic wand
- Small toys or objects that begin with different letters
What to Do:
- Wrap the box with the colorful paper, wrapping the lid separately from the rest so that you can take it off. Use tissue paper to line to inside of the box in bright colors.
- Find small objects that start with different letters. For example, a block, fork, toy horse, or crayon. Put the objects in the box and replace the lid.
- Tell your child that a special box showed up today and that it is called the Abracadabra Box. Try to be as dramatic as possible. Explain that you are a magician and need her help in performing a very important trick. Ask her to cover the box with a scarf.
- In a commanding voice, say “Abracadabra 1, 2, 3!” and wave your magic wand over the box. Then ask your child to find the object that starts with a certain letter. For example, “Can you help me find the thing that starts with B?” Dramatically lift the lid and let her peek in the box. Is it the block or the pen? She'll need to sound them out to decide!
- After your child has found the object, close the box and repeat the activity.
- Have your child be the magician and have her ask you to find the object that starts with a specific letter.
This game sounds simple, it will keep your child far more excited about letter learning that you might ever expect! When you are done with this activity, put the box in a special place until you are ready to use it again. By keeping the box out of your child's reach between games, the box will retain its special magic.
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