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Home / Early Learning / Literacy / 15+ Name Activities for Preschoolers

15+ Name Activities for Preschoolers

Shared by Mary Catherine 24 Comments

Name activities for preschoolers are a great introduction to early literacy activities and skills. Below, you’ll find a whole list of name activities – each using its own methods to teach students to identify, spell, and write their names. Let’s dive in!

15+ Name Activities for Preschoolers

Previously, I detailed the name kits I usually make at the beginning of the school year.  Here are more name activities for preschoolers that I’ve used with my students. Listed below are a variety of activities based on students’ names.  Some of the activities relate to each child learning his own name.  Others are a way to teach literacy and math skills using the children’s names as a foundation.  Some do both!  Please forgive the quality of some of the photos!

SIGN-IN-BOOK — At the beginning of the year, the children find their names and write within the appropriate box.  If they need help, I guide them through it, talk them through it, or write their names in yellow marker so they can trace.

During the second part of the year, I try to make it a little different.  I’ll write a simple sentence or question at the top of a piece of paper and leave two columns beneath for the children to write their names.

RAINBOW WRITING NAMES — On a large piece of white paper, write the child’s name.  The student chooses different colors to trace over or around the letters in her name.

MOSAIC NAMES — Write the child’s name on a large piece of white paper.  He then glues scraps of different colored papers to his name.

15+ Name Activities for Preschoolers

TACTILE NAMES — Again, write the child’s name on a large piece of paper.  The student then traces each letter with white glue and adds a tactile material over the glue.  Possible materials to use are sand, glitter, beads, ribbons, etc.  Once the glue has dried, the kiddos can trace their fingers over the letters, creating a sensory experience.

DOT PAINT NAMES — The children use dot paints (bingo daubers) to carefully paint over each letter in their names.

15+ Name Activities for Preschoolers

NAME ROADS — Use these great letter roads to create your students’ names.  You can download them for free here at Make Learning Fun.  Dr. Jean has some suggestions on her blog for other activities to do with the letters.

PLAY DOUGH NAMES — Create play dough name mats for each of the students.  It’s as easy as writing their names on paper and laminating them.  They can use the play dough to trace over each letter in their names.

TACTILE TRAYS — Place a layer of tactile materials in a tray and let the kiddos practice writing their names.  Some suggestions for materials include sand, sugar, salt, and shaving cream.  Here’s our Vanilla Spice Sensory Writing tray.

LETTER SORTS — Make a simple chart entitled “Letters in My Name”, with a “yes” column and a “no” column.  The students sort through magnetic letters, determining which belong in their names and which don’t.  Be sure to include name cards for those children who need them as a reference.  Click here to read more about sorting magnetic letters.

NAMES IN YOUR THEME — Create your own name activities based upon your weekly/monthly themes.  For example, if you’re studying space, you can make name rockets.

15+ Name Activities for Preschoolers

If you’re learning about snow or winter, you can make name snowmen!

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PREDICTABLE CHARTS — You can make a predictable chart about anything you’re teaching.  They can relate to your weekly/monthly themes, students’ interests, and books you read to the class.  You can make them as simple or as complex as your students need.  The sentences all follow the same pattern.

  • Mama likes cats.  Engineer likes dogs.  Snoopy likes fish.  Etc.
  • Mama can see the book.  Snoopy can see the marker.  Engineer can see the carpet.  Etc.

INVISIBLE WATERCOLOR NAMES — Write the child’s name in white crayon on a white piece of construction paper.  Encourage the kiddo to discover the secret message by painting the paper with watercolors!  Secret messages in watercolors seem almost like magic to many children!

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CLASS NAME BOOK — This is something easy and fun to make with the students at the beginning of the year.  Take pictures of each child to include in the book.  Make sure the sentences are the same on each page.  It could be “I see (child’s name)”, “(Child’s name) is a friend”, or “I like (child’s name)”.  Give each kiddo her own page and include her in creating the page with her name.  Laminate the pages and create a book to keep in your class reading center for the year.

CLASS ALPHABET BOOK — Have a letter on the top of each page, including each letter of the alphabet.  Underneath each letter, write the names that include that letter.  Engineer’s name would be included underneath the letters Ee, Nn, Gg, Ii, and Rr.  This is a task that will take a while to complete with the class, since you want to involve them in the whole process.

NAME CHART — On a name chart, everyone’s names are written in alphabetical order.  Be sure to include students’ and teachers’ names on the chart.  Laminate the chart and post it in an easily accessible location.  Highlight parts of the names that can be used when teaching reading and writing.

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NAME BINGO — Create bingo cards with children’s pictures on them.  Use the children’s names as bingo cards.  Hold up a name, then let the children locate the appropriate picture on their cards.  You can control how much assistance is given during this game.

POEMS & SONGS — Put students’ names into poems, songs, and fingerplays. You can also place their name cards into written poems on your class pocket chart.

  • “Old McJohn had a farm . . .”
  • “Willoughby wallaby wessica, an elephant sat on . . . Jessica!”   (From Raffi’s “Singable Songs for the Very Young”)

These are just some ideas you can use in the classroom to teach names, as well as use names to teach math and literacy.  Be creative and come up with more ideas that work for you and your students!

15+ Name Activities for Preschoolers

Table of Contents

  • Preschool Literacy Materials
  • Done-for-You Preschool Resources

Preschool Literacy Materials

There are so many ways to encourage literacy skills in preschoolers. And, in my opinion, lots of those include some sort of play or sensory integration. After all, kids learn the most when they’re having fun!

Here are some items that I’d recommend you keep on hand to encourage the development of early literacy skills in your preschoolers (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):

  • Printer paper
  • Chart paper
  • Magnetic letters
  • Letter tiles
  • Markers
  • Crayons
  • Pencils
  • Chalk
  • Pompoms
  • Paintbrushes
  • Books
  • Playdough
  • Stickers

This list really just skims the surface of items that can be used for literacy activities. The possibilities are really endless. Look around the classroom or supple closet for some inspiration. And remember – anything can be turned into a learning opportunity regardless of whether the children know it or not! All sorts of play can be turned into a literacy lesson!

Done-for-You Preschool Resources

Planning meaningful lessons for students week after week while balancing other teaching responsibilities and your personal life can be a daunting task. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in to save you time!

Preschool Teacher 101 has created some amazing preschool lesson and activity plans that will be perfect for your classroom. We have resources for a wide variety of themes and topics that will last all year long.

Click on the images below to learn more about each resource.

Editable Name Mats preschool resource cover
Name Mats Bundle
Alphabet Sorting Mats
Centers guide and centers signs
Center Signs and Planning Guide

Make sure you stop by and join The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101 for exclusive access to our content. We have multiple options for membership to meet your needs.

Filed Under: Literacy Tagged With: feature, Names

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  1. Mackenzie says

    August 23, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    Oh my goodness! You rock! These are tons of awesome ideas! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  2. Mary Catherine says

    August 23, 2012 at 10:04 pm

    Thank you!! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Kristen B says

    May 15, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    Great collection of ideas. These will be fun once I start teaching my toddler how to spell his name.

    I would love it if you would come link up at Artsy Play Wednesday.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 15, 2013 at 9:22 pm

      Thanks so much, Kristen! Let me know if you try any of these ideas in the future.

      Reply
  4. Caroline says

    May 16, 2013 at 7:05 pm

    Lots of great, tactile-focused ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 16, 2013 at 8:02 pm

      Thanks so much, Caroline! I really like giving the kiddos hands-on ways to learn. Hope your week is going well!

      Reply
  5. Anna @ The Measured MOm says

    July 29, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    LOVE this post, Mary Catherine! I shared it on Facebook as part of the KBN shout out (I’m a little behind, so I’ll be sharing your blog this week 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      August 12, 2013 at 4:58 pm

      Anna, thanks so very much for sharing this! Sorry for the late reply — somehow I completely missed your comment. I appreciate the kind words — names in preschool is a big deal for the kiddos! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kim says

    August 11, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    Do you have a template for the “sign in” notebook? Best. Idea. ever.
    Thanks!!!
    Kim

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      August 11, 2013 at 9:05 pm

      You are SO sweet, Kim!!! I have it saved to my computer — I can email it to you tonight or tomorrow, if that’s cool? Then I will try and put a link in this post in case anyone else wants it. I am so honored that you asked . 🙂

      Reply
      • Kim says

        August 11, 2013 at 11:34 pm

        I would LOVE a copy! I am teaching Junior K for the first time this year and Im super excited to have a fun new idea for them! Thanks!

        Reply
      • Tania nunn says

        March 19, 2014 at 5:34 pm

        Yes I would like the template too. How do I go about getting it?
        Tania

        Reply
        • Mary Catherine says

          April 3, 2014 at 3:33 pm

          Hi Tania! If you click on “sign in book” in the post, it takes you to a more in-depth look at signing in with my preschoolers. It also contains a link to download the template for free. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂

          Reply
  7. lisa says

    August 20, 2013 at 7:52 am

    What a great website! Thank you for all the great name ideas. Love it!

    Reply
  8. Memory says

    February 13, 2014 at 8:36 am

    how are you dear. l liked your ideas and your posts. l wish l have a preschool. One day will teach those nice tips. thax great day

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      February 14, 2014 at 12:01 am

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Kylie Sanders says

    January 25, 2017 at 4:16 am

    These activities look amazing cant wait to try out in my Kindy class Im a TA in 😊

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      January 26, 2017 at 10:21 am

      Wonderful! Thanks, Kylie! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Cathy Doherty says

    June 26, 2017 at 10:05 am

    I teach Pre-K. I am trying to get away from teaching ONE letter a week, and plan on starting with the children’s names. I love your ideas!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 30, 2017 at 1:53 pm

      Thanks so much, Cathy! I think that is a great idea.

      Reply
  11. Chery says

    August 22, 2020 at 7:40 pm

    I much prefer name activities that have their names in a horizontal layout as opposed to vertically. It dies not compute well in my brain to have them see/learn their name vertically oriented. Why fo this? Even the rocket could be streaking across the sky.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      August 23, 2020 at 9:54 pm

      All but two of the ideas shared here are, indeed horizontal. I agree that having them horizontal makes more sense when learning their names, but the occasional vertical name activity allows the kids to explore letters and their names in a different way. If you read the information for the 2 (out of many) that weren’t horizontal, you’d see that I suggested making their names horizontally first before building them up.

      Reply
  12. Priscilla Mtanti says

    September 25, 2021 at 5:05 am

    Good ideas I like them very much and i will implement them in my school

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      September 29, 2021 at 10:26 am

      Thanks for the kind words, Priscilla! Let me know which activities your students like the best.

      Reply
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My name is Mary Catherine, and I love to share meaningful {and fun} learning activities for kiddos! Feel free to browse and stay awhile!

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