Learn the Alphabet this summer!

It is officially summertime! Time for some fun in the sun, loads of play, and time to explore this incredible world of ours.

Summer is also a great time to do some one-on-one learning with little ones. No matter how incredible a teacher is, there is nothing quite like the personal, individual attention we can give our own little ones.

If your little one is ready to learn the letters, I strongly recommend teaching them in a specific order. I chat about that in a post you can read right here.

Since this has been such a popular and powerful topic, the Teacher in me could not help but write a book to give you the complete, playful, and step-by-step way to introduce letters, sounds, and reading to your child. Please check out my book, Play into Reading Readiness!

And when you are all set to get to those ABCs (or s, a, t, i, p, n …..) …

These activities are fun and perfect for the summertime.

Watermelon Seed Letters – This is a fun summer quiet bin for the kids! They can use “watermelon seeds” to form letters on color-coordinated plates.

Icy, Fizzing Letters from Fun-A-Day – Add some science to the letter learning with this experiment. Children can make (and dissolve!) scented icy letters.

Painting Sugar Letters from Still Playing School – Children can manipulate sugar cubes into letters, then have fun painting them with eye droppers. A bit of science and literacy all rolled into one.

Alphabet Learning with Chalk and Rocks from And Next Comes L – What’s summertime without a bit of chalk play? Let the children trace over letters on the sidewalk with rocks found in the backyard.

Dump Truck Alphabet Rocks Activity from Mom Inspired Life – Add these alphabet rocks and some dump trucks to the sandbox. Kids can identify the letters as they build and transport them around the sand.

Alphabet Ice Block Play from The Imagination Tree – Kids can cool down as they play with alphabet ice! They can name the letters, make words, and explore ice melting.

Pool Noodle Alphabet Basket from The Educators’ Spin On It – These homemade pool noodle letters are super easy to make. Set them in a basket and see how the kids explore them.

Letters in the Air from Rainy Day Mum – Lay outside in the grass on a nice summer day and help the kids make letters in the air using their feet (or hands). Look for some alphabet-shaped clouds, too.

Gold Coin Alphabet Treasure Hunt from Fun-A-Day – Let the kids pretend to be pirates hunting for alphabet treasure. These gold coins can be hidden in a variety of materials or even just the sandbox in the yard.

Alphabet Ice Cube Sensory Play from Stir the Wonder – Ice is always a hit in the summer time. Why not freeze some letters in the next batch and let the kids explore?

ABC Sidewalk Chalk Game from Buggy and Buddy – Set up a big alphabet grid outside, then challenge the kids to alphabet games!

Alphabet Ocean Sensory Bin from Mom Inspired Life – Shells, ocean animals, and water are all that’s needed for this sensory bin. Add some letters to the shell and explore letter names and sounds.

Say and Spray Alphabet Activity from A Dab of Glue Will Do – Let the children have a blast with water bottles! After identifying chalk letters, the kids can spray them with water.

Alphabet Sensory Play from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds – Set this up outside if the weather’s nice, or bring it inside if not. So simple, but such an engaging way to play with letters.

Make and Match Shell Letters from No Time for Flash Cards – Kids can use their shell collection to make letters in play dough!

Ocean Sensory Writing Tray from The Imagination Tree – Children can write and draw in this beautiful ocean-themed writing tray. Great for inside play on a stormy summer day.

ABC Eruptions from Learn~Play~Imagine – Take chalk art to another level with these alphabet eruptions! Create special chalk paint that erupts without water, and then let the kids practice their letters.

Alphabet Fine Motor Busy Bag from Coffee Cups and Crayons – Put together a sunshine-themed alphabet busy bug for summer downtime.

Alphabet Bug Spray from Toddler Approved – Insect loving kids can have fun find alphabet bugs all over the driveway!

Alphabet Stick Flags from Growing Book by Book – Let the kids put their stick collections to a new use with these alphabet flags. Then set about playing different ABC games during the summer.

I plan on spending a little bit of time most days on some letter learning with my Benjamin. We will be focusing on name letters, and these activities will surely keep him engaged!