We are firm believers in learning through play! I’m always on the lookout for new alphabet games to teach letters to my toddler.
When I stumbled across these CUTE, CUTE, CUTE alphabet magnets at the Dollar Spot at Target, the wheels started turning, and this alphabet rescue mission game was born.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to rescue 26 alphabet letters and bring ’em home!
How We Did It: The Alphabet Rescue Mission
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Part of the fun of this alphabet rescue mission is having cute alphabet letters with faces.
Mine, unfortunately, are not sold online, but I did find an equally adorable alphabet set with silly little cartoon eyes and fun patterns.
These wooden alphabet magnets are from Amazon and, right now, ship for FREE. Yay!
Because everything is better with free shipping 🙂
Looking for an organized guide of fun, easy activities to do with your toddler that also encourages their growth and development?
I’ve created a 3-month activity planner just for busy parents like you! The plan includes 65 detailed, simple, and stress-free activities including: arts and crafts, sensory play, motor skills, and STEM–all using easy-to-find supplies.
Let me help make planning activities for your toddler easy, so you can skip the stress and get straight to the fun!
Setting Up the Alphabet Rescue Mission
To set up the alphabet rescue mission, I taped all the letters to the wall.
I wanted my toddler to succeed at this game, so I taped the magnet letters in alphabetical order.
Next, I wrote the letters on a large baking sheet using a black whiteboard marker.
Then, I called my two-year-old over…
Rescuing the Alphabet Letters and Bringing them “Home”
I showed her the taped magnet letters and explained,
“Oh no! These letters are trapped on the wall! You need to rescue them and bring them to their homes!”
She took each letter off the wall.
And carefully peeled off the tape.
And put the letters in their matching letter homes.
Making Letter Recognition a Game
Learning the names of letters, or letter recognition, is a crucial first step to learning to read.
True mastery of letter recognition includes identifying and naming letters both in and out of context and in and out of sequence.
Kids who can recognize letters will be able to learn letter sounds more easily and have an easier time with learning to read.
As my daughter played, she worked on letter recognition by:
- naming the letters she was taking off the wall,
- matching letter shapes,
- and finding and pointing to letters that I named.
Children need A LOT of exposure to letters and words. I try to incorporate letters into our routine and non-alphabet-focused activities.
A few simple ways to do this include:
- adding letter stickers to crafts,
- playing with foam letters during bath time,
- putting magnet letters in a sensory bin,
- and pointing out specific words and letters as you read.
Of course, you can also check out our other alphabet games on the blog!
Your Turn for an Alphabet Rescue Mission!
Round up the kids and for an alphabet rescue mission activity! This game is easy to adapt for two or more players. Just take turns!
Alphabet Rescue Mission
Supplies
- Alphabet letters
- Painter’s tape
- Baking sheet or whiteboard
- Dry erase marker
Instructions
- To set up: Tape the letters to a wall using painter’s tape. Write the letters on a large baking sheet or whiteboard.
- Have your child rescue the letters from the wall by taking off the tape completely.
- Then match the rescued letter to the written letter!
Are you reading books with your kids? Check out these secrets to reading aloud to make stories come alive and keep kids engaged during reading time.
Looking for an organized guide of fun, easy activities to do with your toddler that also encourages their growth and development?
I’ve created a 3-month activity planner just for busy parents like you! The plan includes 65 detailed, simple, and stress-free activities including: arts and crafts, sensory play, motor skills, and STEM–all using easy-to-find supplies.
Let me help make planning activities for your toddler easy, so you can skip the stress and get straight to the fun!
[…] Alphabet Rescue, By Entertain Your Toddler – This fabulously fun alphabet game is great for giving your child a secondary purpose for matching their letters. It’s a race around the clock to save these letters and get them home safely! […]