Play Doggie Detective to Learn Letters

Cut out 5 to 10 to “dog bones” from construction paper. Write one lowercase letter on each bone: s, r, c, t, b, etc. Then, hide the toy puppies on, in, under, or near things in the home that start with the above letters. For example: s = sink, sofa, stairs; r=refrigerator, rug; c=couch, chair, computer; t=table, TV, toaster; b=bed, bathtub, etc.

Lay all of the dog bone cards face down on the table. Have your child flip over one bone at a time and identify the letter. Tell your child to go find a puppy on, in, under, or near something that starts with that letter. Let them ask you for clues, such as “Is it in the kitchen?” or “Is it something I can sit on?” Give the bone to the found puppy!

Switch and let your child hide the puppies — and lead you to them using clues.