As we gather together for holiday dinners with friends and relatives we can share fun and learning.  This idea will reinforce spelling skills in a group situation.

Making the Game

You will need 26 blank cards for each letter of the alphabet. Blank cards can be purchases at school supply stores or use index cards. Use stencils, stickers, markers, or stamps to “write” the letters of the alphabet on the cards. Encourage a child to be creative with any of the ways to illustrate the letters. The letters in the photo are taken from a scrapbooking format. The opposite side of the cards can be decorated by a child. Again, encourage creativity with deciding how to decorate. In the photo a stamp of a tennis player was used for the deck as the child enjoys playing tennis. Directions for playing various alphabet games are included on a similar card by reducing the size of the font on the computer and gluing to a card. Playing Alphabet Charades The activity can be played with 4 or more people and enables all ages of participants to play. Place all the cards upside down in a container or paper sack. First player draws out an alphabet card and is the only player to look at the card. This player silently forms the selected letter with hands, fingers, or body for anyone to guess aloud. When the correct letter is guessed, play continues with next person until all the letters are selected. Playing Letter Sharing This activity is fun to play during family gatherings where all ages could be present. Place all the cards upside down in a container or paper sack. First player draws an alphabet card from the container. Player says aloud the letter of the alphabet and shares a person, place, or thing (food, animal, etc.) that they LIKE that begins with the chosen letter.  By choosing a word that illustrates something they like, children need to “think” before they talk and can say why they like their selection. For example, a child draws out the letter “S”. They state they like San Francisco because when they visited they enjoyed the trolley cars. Wrapping the Cards The size of the cards allow a child to slip the deck into a chosen sack that can be decorated with stickers, markers, etc. The deck of alphabet cards are great presents to give to cousins, school friends, children who you babysit, and younger siblings.