Ready for a fun little ABC game? Let’s play the Alphabet Magnet Match-up.

Let’s get this out of the way: I didn’t ruin my cookie sheet for this activity. The marker comes off… just give me a second to explain, because Alphabet Magnet Match-up is one of our favorite activities.

RELATED: Looking for more alphabet activities? Check out my list of favorites!

Let’s break down why this alphabet activity is so good

Alphabet Magnet Match-up is the perfect kids activity – it’s a little bit spatial awareness, little bit literacy, and a whole like of fun.

When we think about children learning the alphabet and growing deeper in their understanding of letters as building blocks of words, we need to give them chances to play and interact.

Similar to playing with trucks, blocks, and animals toys – playing with alphabet toys is a low-stress and positive way to promote early literacy skills in children.

This isn’t about forcing kids to learn the ABCs. This is about playing with the alphabet just as we play with other toys and concepts.

RELATED: Worried about your child learning the ABCs? I get it! Read this post to help.

The how-to set-up for Alphabet Magnet Match-up

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Alright, let’s get into the magic.

First, check that your cookie sheet is magnetic. Most are. But a few aren’t. This activity needs a magnetic one.

Write the alphabet on your cookie sheet IN PERMANENT MARKER. I know. This is terrifying.

You can spot test this first:

Write with permanent marker. Using rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, the permanent marker comes off with a scrubby, rough sponge.

MAGIC.

But again, I’m just a lady on the Internet so make sure to test this first so you aren’t stuck with the alphabet on your cookie sheet (although that would be an improvement for mine. Can you believe how gross it is?).

In a bowl, place all the alphabet magnets. Your child’s job is to match the magnets to the correct written letter. This is a great activity for recognizing the alphabet in different forms (written and magnet).

My daughter loves this activity!

She’s a puzzle loving kid and at 2.5, she had her alphabet memorized from playing with it (spoiler: she’s 6 now and just learning to read. Early ABCs doesn’t equal early reading skills).

Sometimes, I’d bury the magnets in rice.

Sometimes, I’d hide them in Easter eggs.

Sometimes, I’d just hide them around the house for her to find.

Anyway I set this up, she’s a happy camper with her combination puzzle + literacy activity.

There’s a lot of visual discrimination in this activity!

Visual discrimination is a big skill in early childhood as kids learn to differentiate items from other items.

For letters, this is a tough skill as many look similar.

Activities like this promote visual discrimination skills in a fun, playful way.

RELATED: Looking for more playful activities all year long? Try my Playing Preschool program!

It’s a simple activity, but a classic in it’s own way

We will forever love this activity – what a little gem to use throughout the year.

Who will you set up an alphabet magnet match-up for?