We have a super easy and quick idea for getting little ones engaged with letters!
Alphabet Activity: Scarecrow Letter Patches
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Why We Chose This Scarecrow Alphabet Activity
We’ve been talking about scarecrows lately and my boys are fascinated by the fact that they are used to scare the birds away from the crops.
We also enjoyed reading Scaredycrow by Henandez. It’s a story of scarecrow who is supposed to be scaring animals from the field, but instead he finds himself scared of everything. Alphabet learning is in full swing at our home. We decided to combine the two interests and came up with this super quick alphabet activity.
Preparing The Scarecrow Alphabet Activity
On a large sheet of paper, draw a scarecrow. We added a little yellow curly ribbon for straw under the scarecrow’s hat and from his arms.
Prepare 26 letter patches. We used paint samples that we had. You could also use paper or fabric. On each patch write a letter of the alphabet.
You will also need a bottle of glue or glue stick.
That’s it! You are ready to get to work. I mean PLAY!
Playing and Learning with the Scarecrow and Letter Patches
Spread the letters out. Have your child select a letter they know or call out a letter for them to find. Glue the patch on the scarecrow. Play continues until all 26 letters have been identified and glued on the paper.
Variations:
1. If your child already can identify their letters, work on saying the sounds each letter represents. As they pick up a letter, they can say the letter sound before gluing it. They could also name a word that begins with that letter sound.
2. If you have a budding speller, they can build simple words and glue them on the scarecrow. My son wanted to spell his name on his project.
A super simple, easy, and playful preschool activity!
For more fun alphabet games and activities check out 8 Magnetic Letter Games and Letter Delivery.
Keep reading. Visit the links below for more great scarecrow activities from the Playful Preschool team!
Scarecrow Process Art by Fun-A-Day
Invitation to Build a Scarecrow with Play Dough by Mom Inspired Life
Alphabet Activity: Scarecrow Letter Patches by Growing Book by Book
Scarecrow Hunt with Free Printable by Capri + 3
Build A Scarecrow by Learning 2 Walk
5 Little Scarecrows Poem and PowerPoint for #PlayfulPreschool by The Preschool Toolbox
The Benefits of Creative Collage for Kids by Still Playing School
Exploring Scarecrows with Technology by Rainy Day Mum
Stick Puppet Scarecrows by Tiny Tots Adventures
Make a Shape Scarecrow by The Educators’ Spin On It
P.S. For more great book recommendations and literacy ideas, we send out a weekly newsletter. You can see a sample here. If you like what you see, sign up to receive it for FREE each week.
Bon Crowder (@mathfour) says
I like Mary’s suggestion – especially the part about using numbers. And if you have older kids in the house, see if they’ll join the fun and put in some of their favorite formulas or functions! (Not to use too many f-words, or anything. :D)
Thanks for the idea!
Jodie Rodriguez says
That is a fantastic idea Bon! Thanks so much for sharing!
Kate Williams says
My son was pretending to be a scarecrow today, he would love this! Thanks for linking up with Tuesday Tutorials #pintorials
Liz says
A great idea, Jodie! Maybe after it’s been hanging up for a week or so kids could get smaller cards with lower case letters and match them to the upper case – by just sticking them on top with blu tac.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Liz, that is a wonderful idea. Thanks so much. I think we will do that this week.
The Preschool Toolbox says
Jodie – this is a wonderful scarecrow literacy activity! Our kids would want to do their names, too!:) I’ll put this into our activities for next week – so fun!
mary says
This is a great idea. Could do the same for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Have kids apply “letter feathers on a turkey. Christmas hang “letter bulbs” on a tree. Could do numbers, color, shapes etc.
Jodie Rodriguez says
You sure could Mary! In fact, I have a fun turkey idea coming this Wednesday!
Jill says
What a fun (and adorable!) game. You are so creative Jodie! Pinning and sharing 🙂
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thanks so much Jill!
Cassie @ 3Dinosaurs.com says
This is such a fun game!
Natasha says
Omgoodness! This looks like so much fun! Life sized anything is fun.
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
What a creative way to work on letters! I love the cute scarecrow theme. #FrugalFamily
Helen @ Witty Hoots says
I love this patchwork scarecrow – thank you for sharing on the Frugal Family Linky this week!
Danielle says
Love the simplicity of this! Great idea!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Yes Danielle, sometimes the easiest activities are the most fun!
Theresa (Capri + 3) says
This looks like so much fun. I like that you used a large paper. I can imagine our four preschoolers gathered around it gluing on the letters. They would love it! We will have to try this out.
Jodie Rodriguez says
It would be perfect for your kids Theresa! Lots of room to work!