3 Simple Shape and Alphabet Games to Play With Your Toddler

When you and your toddler engage with fun and creative play, it’s certainly some of the best moments and memories a parent can have. When these fun play times are also learning moments, you receive even more satisfaction and joy from the experience.

It is simply the best watching your child learn and grow! Want to create memorable moments today? Try these three simple learning games to encourage educational play time with your toddler:

Shape Hunt

This is a great way to teach your children their shapes and to learn to apply their knowledge to the real world. If you have blocks, you can start with those. Have your child identify the shapes.

For example, “Which block is a circle?”

When your child points to the circle, pick it up and congratulate them. Then encourage them to find other circles in your home. Try to have a few well-placed circles sitting nearby so they’re successful right away.

For example, “You’re right, this is a circle. Do you see any other circles around here? What about this plate? Is this plate a circle?”

Whether the child says yes or no, show them how the two shapes are the same. Repeat the game with other shapes. Make it more challenging as you go. Look for shapes within shapes. For example, circle or square shapes on your oven. You can repeat the process with colors and even textures.

For example, find five things in this room that are red. Your child can combine counting with mastering their colors. Or, find something that is soft.

Alphabet Game

While toddlers aren’t going to learn to read, learning to recognize their letters is the first step to that eventual skill. You can make learning their alphabet fun. A foam letter mat is an ideal prop for this game. Lay the mat on the floor and have your child jump to a letter you call out.

For example, “Where is the S?” They’ll jump to the S and you’ll have a dance party. If you’re playing music during this game it’s even more fun.

If you don’t have a foam alphabet mat, then you can take pieces of construction paper and draw large letters on it. You can also take a large sheet of art paper and create a paper alphabet map. Instead of jumping on the paper, they can toss a beanbag on the correct letter.

Scavenger Hunt

This can be with animals, bugs, dinosaurs, trucks or whatever they’re interested in. Scavenger hunts are always fun. And they’re particularly fun for your toddler if you’re hunting for things they enjoy.

Tip: Prepare ahead of time with pictures. You can print them on your computer, cut them out of magazines or place books around the home for your child to find.

Learning games are a wonderful way to bond with your child and help them embrace the world around them. They also help set a foundation for a lifetime love of learning, an attribute you’ll certainly be proud to see develop!

Today, why not choose one of these learning games? Or use this as inspiration to make one up yourself.  There are no “rules” to encouraging learning during play time, you can use your creativity to find different ways to teach.  With every play activity, there’s a way to encourage an element of education.