Homemade felt alphabet letters will engage and entertain your early learner. These colorful letters are easy to make, and provide opportunities for language and sensory experiences.

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How can we, as teachers and parents, introduce ABC's in thoughtful and age appropriate ways?

It's a question I discuss in this post, How to Teach Letters of the Alphabet Without Really Teaching.

The short answer from me is to introduce the letters of the alphabet with activities that are hands-on and fun. Activities that are a part of everyday play will spark interest and curiosity in your early learner.

Homemade letters of the alphabet are a good option to have on hand. They're easy to make, and fun to use in everyday play.

Related: Preschool Literacy Activities.  

Felt for making letters of the alphabet can be purchased online (affiliate link) or in a craft store. It's colorful, easy to cut, and provides quiet, mess free play. Felt letters of the alphabet are easy to store, and durable enough for kids to use over and over.

DIY felt letters of the alphabet

The letters in this tutorial are upper case, approximately 5 in. ( 12.5 cm) in height.

You can make letters any size you want, depending on available felt, the size of your felt board, or the activities you plan to provide.

Letters can be large or small, upper or lower case.

• Smaller felt letters can be used on a mini travel size felt board.

Instructions for making alphabet letters

Step 1.

Print the letters onto the felt with chalk. (affiliate link)

• I pressed firmly so the letters would show up in the photos. If you press lightly the chalk is easier to dust off when the letters are completed.

• You can turn reversible letters like M and T over after you cut them out so the chalk isn't visible. 

  The play value of the felt alphabet won't be diminished if a little chalk is left on the letters!

Step 2.

Outline each letter with chalk to provide a cutting line to make a block letter.

Use different colors of felt to make the letters, or make them all one color if preferred.

 Make your own felt board and start using the colorful felt letters.

Ideas for learning through play with felt letters of the alphabet

1. Make beginning words with two or three familiar letters.

2. Sort letters by color.

3. Sort letters into groups such as: vowels; letters with straight lines or shapes like a circle.

4. Spell your name and the names of family members.

5. Make a series of 3 or 4 letters on the felt board with one letter missing.

• Which letter is missing in the series? (A-B-?-D)

When it comes to teaching letters of the alphabet, encourage interaction with materials.

Engage all the senses with a variety of colors, shapes and patterns.

Kids will learn by observing and playing.

Using felt letters is just one way to provide interesting literacy activities for preschoolers.

Visit our Literacy board on Pinterest for more crafts and activities.