Playgroup Activity Ideas

Meet at an apple orchard. 

While at the apple orchard describe the difference in the apples such as big and small, ripe and not ripe. Have each child pick out apples to take home to eat or cook in one of your favorite apple recipes!

-A to Z, by Sandra Boynton

-Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Martin, Bill Jr., & John Archambault

- Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book, by Dr. Seuss

-I Spy Little Letters, by Jean Marzollo

-Maisy's ABC, by Lucy Cousins

Clay Letters (3+ years)

Materials: Clay, rolling pin, cutting utensil, tempera paint, paint brush. Description: Mold the letter of the child’s first name.  Let the clay dry and then paint.

ABC Box (3+ years)

Materials: Magazines, picture books, sticker books, scissors, glue and a shoebox.

Description: Have your child look through a magazine, picture or sticker book, looking for an item that begins with an "A", then cut it out and glue it onto the box.  Next look for a "B" item,

and so on (continuing through the alphabet). This is a fun craft and also makes a cool toy box. You can practice the ABCs while doing this project and can review the pictures over and over, making it fun to search for the pictures again and again.

Flash Cards (18+ months)

Materials: Paper and crayons.

Description: Each caregiver or child draws a picture and uses one word for a description.  Emphasize the first letter (ex: “B” for Baby).  Once the pictures are done, each child shares it with the group.

 *For younger children use already manufactured ABCs Flash Cards.

Name Bingo (2+ years)

Materials: Paper and crayons.

Description: Write each child’s name on a piece of paper. Write out the alphabet on a different piece of paper and cut them out and stick them in a bowl.  Let one of the children pick out a letter and call it out.  If a letter in the child’s name is called out have them cross it out with a crayon, and the first one to cross out all of the letters wins! You can take turns having each

child call out the letters and play this game until each one gets a chance to be the Bingo announcer.

ABC Cinnamon Breadsticks

Ingredients: Dough (already made from the store), butter, sugar and cinnamon

Directions:  Roll out dough in rolls and then cut and shape into letters. Bake, following dough baking directions on package. Brush on butter and sprinkle on cinnamon and sugar.

Letter Sandwiches

Ingredients: Alphabet cereal, bread, peanut butter

Directions: Spread peanut butter on a piece of bread or toast and help pick out letters from the cereal to spell child's name.    

Additional Snack Ideas

     Apple juice or cider
     Applesauce
     APPLE JACKS™
     Bananas
     Banana Bread
     Cheerios™

ABC Blocks (6+ months)

Materials: ABC Blocks (wood, plastic, or cloth).

Description: Have everyone bring these from home to share with others.  There are several fun blocks out there. Let the children play, stack, sort, and help identify them as they are playing.