When you are on on the go, sometimes your children are not so cooperative. Whether you are on a road trip or just running errands around town your children probably are not too happy about it and let you know. Allie did a great post about learning on the go in which her son checked off letters as he found them. But giving my three small children each a pencil and pad isn’t something that would make a trip easier on me. At home sure, but not out by myself.
This fun activity keeps hands and minds busy. Plus it helps keeps Mommy sane, always a plus. 😉 The simpleness of this activity makes it easily adjustable for all ages and levels.
All you will need for this is a paper plate, marker, and scissors.
Write letters around the edge of the plate.
Then cut in between each letter.
You can make one for upper case letters, lower case letters, shapes, sight words, and colors. The possibilities are endless. You could also turn it into a fun math activity by doing numbers or equations.
Give your child a plate and when you are out on the town or at a park (pretty much wherever) they simply fold down the letter as they spot it in their surroundings.
We had a five year old boy with us learning his phonics, so when he saw something I would ask the sound of it. We would match the sound the letter makes to the letter, then he would fold it over. He was so excited.
This is definitely one of those activities that children can do on their own or you can do with them. Like I said the possibilities are endless, so have fun!
What will you put on your plate?
Kim is a contributing writer for No Time For Flash Cards, a mom to a toddler, a preschooler, and a foster parent, too. She juggles her day by trying out fun activities and crafts with the kids. After all, she is just a big kid herself. See what she has been up to over at Mom Tried It.
Carrie says
Brilliant. I can’t wait to go on a long road trip just to try this! My 2 and 4 yr old boys are going to love this game. Thank you for sharing.
[email protected] Preschool says
I think I’ll put colors on one and perhaps print various restaurant, gas station, and store symbols on the other for a bit of a challenge. Super Idea!
Kaylee says
Love this idea! I want to try it while we go for a walk.
Allison says
I love cheap and easy ideas like this. You are so great at coming up with these!
Vicky says
We have a car trip coming up that we are just dreading and you may have just bought me some sanity. THANK YOU! Pinning this so I can remember to do it. Vicky from http://www.messforless.net
[email protected] says
Love this idea! So simple too!
Paula says
I love this, it’s simple so I can make them for my whole class. Very cool. Thank you
Scott says
A terrific idea! I’m thinking of all kinds of applications for my class, too. Walk around the building and find letters/words/shapes. Put words around the room and walk around finding them. Thanks for a great simple idea that has so much use.
admin says
The possibilities for sight words too- oh now my mind is racing.
Brooke says
Thank you for the super idea…..I just made up a couple to keep my girls occupied as we go through the grocery store, so I drew (albeit rudimentary) pictures of the items on our list and now we are all more excited about our scavenger hunt/shopping trip.
debs says
Great idea. Will be doing this with my little one. Thanks 🙂
Stephanie says
I just found your blog. You are like…amazing!
admin says
Thanks Stephanie – I hope you find it helpful!
Laura says
I absolutely LOVE this idea. I currently live in Thailand and am helping out at a local nursery teaching the kids some English (I am not a teacher so sometimes it is a struggle). Your ideas are wonderful and the materials are easy to come by, I am excited to get back into the classroom now and use some of your ideas with these little ones as the learn English as a second language. Thank you so much, I will be following your blog more closely from now on.
Andrea says
I love this. I already have my kids look for letters and numbers at the grocery store. This will help them be more self-guided. I think I will put “sh” “ch” “st” , etc. on my 4yr old’s plate so he can begin working on those blend sounds. I simply love this. Thank you!
RaNette Free says
Genius addition —- the blend sounds are definitely on my to do list. Thanks!
Tulip says
I love simple and easy learning ideas. This would be great when you are out on a picnic or BBQ. Thanks for sharing!
Amber says
This was perfect for a recent road trip! We called it Alphabet Roadway. Thanks for sharing!
carmelasnelbaker says
I love this idea! It makes me remember the old car bingo that had road signs and that sort of thing with little slides you pulled over when you found it. I will try this with my grandchildren 🙂
Thank you
Brigette says
I love your post on busy bags, I have made a bunch for my own kids and they are addicted! I did a roundup of bags we have made on my blog and linked to your tutorial, you can check it out here: http://babesindeutschland.com/ Thanks for the inspiration!
Lorena Coba says
I just LOVE this! Keep up the good job!!
Bindhu says
Brilliant idea!!! Have tried it with my daughter and it works beautifully!