Play a Fun Alphabet Game

The letters of the alphabet go into a decorated jar. Each player pulls out a letter and names three things that start with that letter, if they do, they get the letter! The player gets 10 seconds to name them before someone else gets to steal the turn. The person who gets the most letters wins!

This is a fantastic opportunity for your child to participate in group play, exercise turn taking, counting, alphabet recognition and word play.

What You Need:

• A large jar or coffee can
• Paints and brushes
• Paper
• Tape or glue
• Markers (optional)
• Stickers (optional)
• Index cards

What You Do:

1. Have your child decorate their container of choice, a jar or coffee can. The container should have a lid in order to hold the letters and shake them up.
2. If the container is transparent, make sure your child covers it completely with paint, paper, or stickers! The container should hide letters so that nobody can see what letter they are choosing.
3. While the glue and paint on the container are drying, make the alphabet cards to go inside! Have your child write one letter on each index cards. Depending on the size of your container, you may want to cut the index cards in half first. If your child is still learning to write his letters, write them lightly in pencil first and have him trace over them with marker.
4. Put the alphabet cards in the container, put the lid on, and let your child shake them up!
5. Now, you are ready to play!

Basic Rules:

1. Select a letter out of the container.
2. Name three things that start with that letter. (Meanwhile, another player counts to 10 quietly to themselves or on their fingers.)
3. If the player can name three things in 10 seconds, they get to keep the letter. If they can’t, they have to hand the letter to the player on their right and that player must name three different things starting with that letter.
4. If the next player successfully names three things, they keep the letter and get to choose the next letter. If not, play continues to the right until three new things can be named in 10 seconds.
5. The winner of the game is the person who can collect the most letters by the time they run out!

Stash this game on a shelf or even in the car for a quick and easy go-to activity when you and your child have some extra time to practice those letters and numbers.