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home / Blog / early literacy / alphabet / play with letters or numbers: cool summer learning for kids

play with letters or numbers: cool summer learning for kids

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July 13, 2014 by Teach Mama 1 Comment

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The following Rockstar Sunday guest post is written by a woman whose third language is English and who has two little ones and two rockstar blogs. Ā 

Birute Efe writesĀ Playtivities which is full of fun toy-making, learning, and creative parenting ideas, and she writes Attach From Scratch, a blog full ofĀ attachment parenting, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and all that fun stuff.

Pretty impressive, I know.

Today, Birute isĀ sharing a quick and fun way that you can help your kiddos learn a little during the hot summer months.

————————-

  • Play with Letters or Numbers–Cool Summer Learning for Kids, by Birute Efe

fun summer activity for learning letters and numbersSummer is for fun. Fortunately learning can be fun and full of laughter too. It’s all how we present it to the kids.

If you are trying to teach your little one letters, sight words, numbers, beginners math thisĀ playful educational activityĀ will be a hit in your house for sure.

Things you will need:

  • Plastic Ice cube tray. (the more you have the more letters and numbers you will be able to write on). You can get them really cheap at flea markets or garage sales.
  • some letter, number stickers or markers
  • marbles

What to do:

It’s so simple.

Depending on how many ice cube trays you have and what you want to teach your child just stick stickers in/on/near every ice cube holes.

You could also use markers.

The rules (they can be very customizable):

Kids learn faster through songs. I have noticed it a lot. So encourage them to sing or pick some kind of rhyme while they are dropping marbles in the ice cube tray holes.

  • Name the letter/sight word/number you just dropped marble in.
  • Name the word that starts with the letter you just threw marble on.
  • Find a rhyming word for the letter you just dropped marble on. (e.g. AĀ – I may, Z – just like a bee, etc)
  • Try juggling few marbles.

play with letters or numbers: cool summer learning for kids

play with letters or numbers: cool summer learning for kids

Just a thought

You could try using real ice cubes for this activity. Make sure to write on the ice cube holes with permanent marker. Those splashes from melting ice cubes will make learningĀ coolĀ for sure.

Things kids will practice:

  • motion coordination
  • letters, numbers, rhyming and singing

I hope I got you inspired to help your children learn through a fun activity.

For more funĀ DIY ToysĀ that encourage child’s creativity and promotes fun learning follow myĀ Pinterest BoardĀ Playtivities. So you won’t miss a thing.



birute of playtivities.com/Birute EfeĀ has daily fun at her kids activities blogĀ PlaytivitiesĀ and the farm where she lives with her family. She loves creating activities andĀ toysĀ for her 2 kiddos by up-cycling household items. She she will never walk pass by a big cardboard box or a pile of old magazines. She believes the best learning comes from exploring and creating.

Looking for more fun ways to sneak in some literacy or math learning into your day? Stop by and follow these great educational Pinterest boards:

  • Educational-tivitiesĀ |Ā Playtivities
  • Fun-tivitiesĀ Ā | Ā Playtivities
  • Home-tivities Ā |Ā Playtivities
  • literacy Ā |Ā teach mama
  • math Ā | Ā teach mama
  • summer fun and cool for kids Ā | Ā teach mama

This post is part of our newĀ Rockstar Sunday posts. Ā Each week, I will highlight one ā€˜rockstar’ in the parenting and education field. Ā These posts? Seriously awesome.

Have somethingĀ you’d like to shareĀ that in some way relates to fun learning, school, technology, education, or parenting? For a short time we’ll be acceptingĀ Rockstar Sunday guest posts.

Ā rockstar sunday promo teachmama

The response to our Rockstar Sunday feature has been overwhelming. I am in awe of the ideas, submissions, and shares!

Having been in the blogging space for 5+ years, we know for sure that our readers are always up for fresh and fun ideas on literacy, math, technology, parenting, and learning in the every day. They love crafts, hands-on teaching ideas, printables, cooking with kids, and anything that makes their job as parents easier, better, and more fun.

You don’t have to have a blog of your own–just cool ideas to share!Ā We look forwardĀ to hearing fromĀ you!

other posts in the series:

  • patriotic flags: shrinky dinks
  • how to keep your kids hydrated
  • 10 ways to create a literacy rich environment
  • help your kids love science
  • gallon ziploc bag activitiesĀ 
  • getting kids to love reading with lit club
  • fractions with FOOD!
  • sweet, sparkly flower craft
  • toddler shapes
  • tons more!

About the Author

Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom. I also have a master's in psychology, specializing in children's issues. Read More…

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Comments

  1. ArtemMihailov says

    March 27, 2023 at 2:43 pm

    Thank you for the article. I really liked that ice-activity, that’s a great idea for learning math. Also it reminds me of one of our favorite games “cookies” that we played together with my son when he was very little. It’s very simple but engaging. I say a number and he places the correct number of cookies (or something else) on a plate. I can clearly see my child’s math skills improving with each activity.

    Reply

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Welcome to Teach Mama!

Patricia Moore profile image

Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom.

After our three kids graduated high school, I went back to school to become a marriage and family therapist who has specialized in children’s issues.

I love helping families find all the fun and deep learning possible for their children.

I’m so glad you’re here on Teach Mama and I look forward to helping you on your journey!

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