These printable apple ABCs are the perfect addition to your next kindergarten or preschool apple theme! In fact, you can have them prepped and ready to go tomorrow if you want.
The apple letters printable can be used in a variety of ways, and with a multitude of materials. You can easily make adjustments to their use based on the ages and needs of your students.
Incorporate the apple alphabet printable mats into small group lessons, as well as independent practice during centers. No matter how you use them, your students will be practicing important early literacy skills with the apple printable ABCs.
Related: Free Preschool Printables
I know not everyone enjoys teaching an apple unit, and that’s okay! I think it’s a fun fall theme because most children have been exposed to apples prior to preschool. So I can take something they’re already familiar with and build upon that prior knowledge.
Read below for tips and ideas about the apple letter mats. Then head to the bottom of this post to request your own copy of the free printable!
Apple ABCs
As with almost all the preschool printables I create, these apple alphabet cards can be used in a variety of ways. I love to use printables like this as a way to supplement preschool themes and incorporate hands-on learning.
How to Prep the Apple Alphabet Cards
Start off by grabbing the materials you need to prep the apple ABCs, as well as any items you’d like to use in conjunction with them. Here’s what we’ve used over the years (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Printer
- Laminator
- Dry erase pockets
- Red, yellow, and green manipulatives (like buttons or pompoms)
- Play dough
- Dry erase markers
- Apple-themed mini erasers
You can, of course, use different items with the apple printable ABCs. That’s up to you based on your preferences, as well as the ages and needs of your students.
Once you have the materials, it’s time to prep the apple alphabet mats! Here’s what to do:
- Print the mats you’d like to use.
- Cut them apart into individual cards.
- Laminate the apple ABCs or place them in dry erase pockets.
- Finally, set out the alphabet cards and accompanying manipulatives.
Now it’s time to gather your children for some apple-themed alphabet fun and learning!
How to Use the Apple ABCs with Kids
As I mentioned previously, you can use the alphabet cards in multiple ways. Depending on the needs of the children, you might start with just a few letters. If that’s the case, I highly suggest starting with the letters in the kids’ names.
Below you’ll find some suggestions to get you started. Keep in mind, this isn’t an exhaustive list. You might find a few other ways to use the printables. Or your students might!
With Manipulatives
Grab the apple ABCs and your favorite manipulatives. If they’re apple-themed, that’s great! But they don’t have to be.
I have to admit, I made these specifically to use with some apple mini erasers I have. Because they’re fun. They’d be great with acrylic apples, glass gems, small rocks, twigs, Unifix cubes, counting bears . . . and on and on. Really, the choices are endless.
Have the children use the manipulatives to trace over the uppercase and lowercase letters on the card. Be sure to encourage the appropriate letter formation when possible, explaining and modeling as needed.
To add some math to the activity, have the children count how many manipulatives were needed for the uppercase letter versus the lowercase letter.
Paired with Play Dough
You can also use the printable apple letter mats with play dough. Bonus points if it’s apple-scented like my apple pie playdough.
The children can roll the play dough into little “snakes” and then use the snakes to form the letters. Of course, the kids might also just grab little bits of play dough to squish inside the letters. That works, too.
To extend the activity, encourage the children to create their own play dough letters on a separate mat. Challenge the kids to craft their names!
Trace with Markers
If your students are ready for it, they can also use dry erase markers to trace over the apple ABCs. Again, you’ll want to encourage correct letter formation when possible.
Use as Sorting Mats
Finally, consider using the printable apple letters as ABC sorting mats. Challenge the children to find things around the classroom that begin with each letter. Or add a tub with small toys that pair with each letter of the alphabet.
Consider placing a basket of magnetic letters (or other alphabet manipulatives) on the table with various letter cards spread about. The kids can sort the letters to the appropriate letter mats.
More Apple Alphabet Printables
If the apple ABCs are a hit with your kids, check these out next:
- Apple Name Activity (with free printable letters)
- Letter Matching Apple Tree
- Apple Alphabet Match
- Apple Seed Letter Tracing Cards
Don’t forget to request your copy of the apple ABCs at the bottom of this post!
Apple Lesson Plans and More
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Click on the images below for a few of our apple-themed products:
Remember you can save BIG by becoming a member of The Pack, our membership for preschool and kindergarten teachers. They have access to our materials at a steep discount, along with members-only resources.
Apple ABCs Free Printable
As promised, here’s where you can grab your own copy of the apple ABCs! The printable is available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re already a member, fill out the form below to get access to the printable letter cards. Don’t worry, you won’t be added to the list twice.
If you’re not a member yet, we’d love for you to join us! Fill out the form below to be added to the email community (as I said, it’s free!). You’ll get the apple ABCs as a welcome gift.
I hope you have a blast using these cards with your students. Be sure to let me know if you give them a try.
Originally published August 2020
Do you have mats with only lower case letters?
Hi Lindsay! This is the only freebie set of Apple ABCs I have right now. We have a similar product over on Preschool Teacher 101 that includes separate uppercase and lowercase letters, along with both color and black-and-white versions – Apple Letter Fine Motor Mats.