Alphabet Sensory Play

Any teacher will tell you that the secret to teaching kids the alphabet is to use fun, hands-on activities.

This activity combines sensory play with letter identification and visual discrimination.

Here’s how you can create a unique alphabet learning experience at home or in the classroom that your kids will love!

Alphabet Sensory Play

• Metal Cookie Sheet
• Magnetic Letters
• Sensory bin, tub, or table
• Dark Construction Paper
• Laminating Film
• Filler for your sensory tub, bin, or table. I used colored rice but you could use moon sand, shredded paper, or anything that will cover the letters.

This sun-bleached letter matching mat is perfect for helping children learn how to visually discriminate letters.

Setting Up Your Alphabet Sensory Bin

First, cut a piece of dark colored construction paper (dark colors like black or blue work best) to fit the inside of your cookie sheet. Place the paper inside the cookie sheet, then place the magnetic letters on top of the paper and place it in direct sunlight for several hours.

Once the sun has bleached the paper enough for the letters to show up clearly, remove it from the sunlight and laminate the paper.

After the paper is laminated, attach it to the cookie sheet with tape so it stays in place.

Next, if you are using rice, color it using your color or colors of choice. In case you’re not familiar with how to color rice I have included the recipe for you below.

Colored Rice Recipe

1 cup uncooked rice
2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
8 drops food coloring

How to Color Rice

Place the ingredients in a Ziploc bag, seal and mix until the color is absorbed evenly into the rice. Of course, if you are filling a large sensory tub with colored rice you will need to repeat the steps in the recipe several times. Then, line some cookie sheets with wax paper and pour your rice on top to dry.

After your rice is dry, pour it into your sensory tub or bin and mix in the magnetic letters. Now, children can search for the letters in the sensory bin. When they find a letter they have to look at it carefully and match it to the corresponding space on the cookie sheet.

This activity will help children learn to identify letters of the alphabet. Before children can learn to recognize and name the letters, they first have to learn how to visually discriminate the similarities and differences of each letter.

If you place the letters inside plastic Easter eggs it adds an extra element of fun, however my little dish tub wasn’t large enough to accommodate 26 plastic eggs.

More Sensory Bin Ideas