In this fun, turkey-inspired activity, we’ll learn all about the letter “W” and give preschoolers a chance to practice letter recognition in a hands-on way! This activity combines craft time with a playful way to practice recognizing letters, with a special focus on the letter "W." Let's dive in!
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Brown paper bag
- White and black paper for eyes
- Yellow paper for a beak
- Red paper for the wattle (or "snood")
- Feathers for decoration
- Extra paper to cut into squares
- Scissors
- Marker
WHAT TO DO:
Decorate the Bag
Start by helping your preschooler decorate the paper bag to look like a turkey. Cut out circles from white and black paper to make eyes, a triangle from yellow paper for the beak, and a small piece of red paper to make a snood (the red, dangly part on a turkey’s face!). Use glue or tape to attach these pieces to the front of the bag, transforming it into a friendly turkey face. Don’t forget to cut a hole where the mouth would be—this is where the turkey will “eat” the letters! Finish the look by attaching feathers to the back.
Prepare the Letter Squares
Cut extra paper into small squares. On each square, write a letter of the alphabet, but be sure to add several extra “W” squares. You’ll want a good mix of letters, but with “W” showing up more often for the focus of this activity.
Set Up the Letter Hunt
Flip the letter squares upside down on the floor, creating a “letter hunt” for your preschooler. Explain that they’re going to help feed the turkey by finding letters.
Playing the Game:
Find a Letter
Have your child pick up one of the squares, flip it over, and identify the letter on it. If they find the letter “W,” they can “feed” it to the turkey by pushing it through the hole in the turkey’s mouth.
Talk About “W”
Each time they feed a “W” to the turkey, take a moment to talk about the letter “W,” its sound, and words that start with it—like “wattle” and “water.” This repetition helps reinforce letter recognition and phonics in a playful way.
Repeat and Practice with Other Letters
Continue with the remaining letters. Even if it’s not a “W,” encourage your child to say the name of each letter and practice recognizing it. This game can also be adapted with any other letter, depending on what you’re focusing on at the time.
Count and Review
Once all the letters have been picked up, open up the turkey bag and count how many letters it “ate.” Review how many “W”s made it into the turkey’s belly compared to other letters for a little added fun with counting and comparing!
Variations:
Feel free to change up the game by focusing on different letters. You can make multiple-letter bags or repeat the game on different days to reinforce recognition of all letters of the alphabet.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Xx Jeni
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