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 Preschool Learning Games

two young boys, arm in arm

Our preschool learning games are fun, free and easy-to-use. As a parent or teacher of preschoolers, you'll want to use a variety of teaching methods. You'll be teaching lessons with objects, with the white board, with worksheets, and  with lots of reading time.

But don't forget the magic of learning games! Games are a relaxed way to review schools that have already been presented in another manner, or to introduce new skills. 

This game is a fun way to practice the alphabet and those all-important listening skills.  After you try this one, we think you'll be back for more of our games!

Who Wants It?

Skills: Initial consonant sounds, listening

Supplies: Index cards on which you've written the letters of the alphabet that you want to practice.

Monkey cartoon

To play:  
1. Distribute the cards randomly. If you have more students than letters to practice, pair students to work together on the same letter. 

2. Start by naming an object that begins with one of the letters in a sing-song that goes like this:

"I have a monkey. Who wants my monkey?
I have a monkey. Who wants my monkey?"

The child (or children) with the letter M stand ups and says,

"I want the monkey, I want the monkey.
I have an M, and I want the monkey!"

3. Continue in the same manner until you've covered all the letters you've given out.

group of happy preschool students, raising their hands

Variation:

After you've played the game as described above, let the students participate more the next time. Here's how:

Write all the letters on the board that you've distributed. After you've done the sing-song for the first letter, erase it from the board. Ask the child who has the first letter to secretly select another letter from the board, think of an object and do the sing-song herself. 

Here are some possible letters and objects  to use. The rhythm of the activity works best with 2-syllable words.

  • b - balloon, bagpipe
  • f - feather, football
  • j - jelly, jungle
  • l - ladder, lemon
  • p - package, penguin
  • s - sister, sidewalk
  • v - village, valley
  • y - yo-yo, yogurt
  • d - daisy, diamond
  • h - hammer, hedgehog
  • k - kitten, kitchen
  • n - needle, neighbor
  • r - rabbit, robot
  • t - turtle, table
  • w - water, window
  • z - zebra, zipper

More Preschool Learning Games

the letters ABCD

Free Alphabet Games - "Secret Letters" and "Order, Please!"  Try our free alphabet games with your early learners.  They're simple to play, and fun to use again and again!  In the first game, kids guess what letters are taped on their backs. In the second, they learn about alphabetical order.

ABC Pop-Up   -   One of the simplest free preschool alphabet games around. That makes it perfect for young students and busy preschool teachers! Explain that every time you say, "ABC Pop Up," the student with the A card should pop up and say, "A." Then quickly the student with the B card pops up and says "B" and so on, through the entire alphabet.  Follow the link for full details!

two socks

Which One? and Alphabetical Objects: Two free preschool activities that you can do with your child around the house, in the car, or in the classroom. The only supplies required are a few everyday items.

Stand Up, Sit Down - You and your kids are sure to love this ABC learning game that asks kids to listen to consonant sounds and to move! If the words are exactly the same, children should remain seated. If the words are different, the children should stand up.

Don't miss my collection of Sight Word Games and Activities. It's never to early to start teaching these essential words. 

green pickle

A Pickle or a Tickle  and  Stand Up, Sit Down:  Two fun preschool games for children! Your students will need to listen carefully to initial consonant sounds as they play these entertaining games.

phonemic awareness - Letter Lane

Letter Lane - A colorful phomenic awareness board game that features beginning consonant sounds for the letters b, d, f and m. No reading is necessary. Full directions,  printable gameboard available.

Fun Preschool Phonics Games - 3 simple adaptations of familiar formats with a phonics twist. Teach you favorite preschooler how to play I Spy, Hide & Seek and I'm Going on a Trip.

FAQs

Q: What are some features of a great preschool learning game?

A: First of all, the game must be simple! No one wants to spend 20 minutes explaining a complex game format to room full of wiggly preschoolers.

Secondly, the game should cover just one or two important skills. Here are some good skills to cover:

  • The letters of the alphabet in order
  • Letter sounds
  • Auditory discrimination

Thirdly, if possible, allow the preschoolers to move around a bit during the game. A small amount of movement in a controlled area helps keep those wiggles directed in a good way.

Next, a great game is one that can be played again and again, perhaps with slightly different content or skills.

Finally, keep the game fun and short. 

Q: What are some of your favorite preschool games?

A: I've written several here at Spelling-Words-Well that meet the above criteria. You can find  many of them listed above. Other games include "I Spy,"  "Connect Four," and "Uno."  These all require preschoolers to focus, observe and think. These are great skills to build and use in any content area, not just spelling!


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