Looking for fun and easy letter and number games for toddlers and preschoolers? Discover simple, play-based ideas to build early literacy and math skills—no worksheets required!
Teaching letters and numbers doesn’t have to mean flashcards and frustration. In fact, toddlers and preschoolers learn best when they’re moving, laughing, and playing! At Timeless Tantrums, we believe in learning through joy, not pressure.
Here are some of our favorite letter and number games that make learning feel like fun—not work. These activities are easy to prep, great for different learning styles, and perfect for at home or on the go.
1. Alphabet Hide & Seek
Write letters on sticky notes and hide them around the room. Call out a letter and have your child go find it! For younger toddlers, use just a few letters; for preschoolers, add uppercase/lowercase matching.
Skills: Letter recognition, listening skills, gross motor movement
2. Number Hopscotch
Create a hopscotch board with chalk outside or tape inside. Call out a number and have your child hop to it. You can even turn it into a mini obstacle course!
Skills: Number recognition, counting, physical coordination
3. Alphabet Soup Sensory Bin
Fill a bowl or bin with water and foam or magnetic letters. Give your child a ladle or spoon and have them “scoop” out specific letters you call out—or just explore freely and name the letters they find.
Skills: Fine motor skills, letter awareness, sensory play
4. Counting with Toys
Pick a favorite toy set—blocks, animals, cars—and practice counting them aloud together. Sort by color or size for extra learning layers!
Skills: Counting, grouping, one-to-one correspondence
5. Letter & Number Jump Game
Skills: Listening, identification, energy release!
6. DIY Name Puzzle
Write your child’s name on a strip of paper, then cut the letters apart like a puzzle. Help them put it back together. You can do the same with numbers for their age or birthday!
Skills: Letter recognition, name awareness, sequencing
7. Sing It Out!
Don’t underestimate the power of music. Sing the alphabet song with movement, or try number songs like “Five Little Monkeys” or “Ten in the Bed” to make repetition feel fun.
Skills: Auditory memory, rhythm, foundational learning
Final Thoughts
Letters and numbers are all around us—and when we make learning playful, our children engage more, stress less, and build stronger skills naturally. Whether you're playing hopscotch in the driveway or sorting foam letters at the kitchen table, these little moments add up in big ways.
Remember: you don’t need to be a teacher to teach. You just need to play.
Stay tuned here at Timeless Tantrums for more preschool games, free printables, and easy ideas that help you turn everyday moments into learning adventures.
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