Letter L Activities and Craft Ideas
Below you will find projects and activities that will help you and your child explore the letter L. Keep in mind that this theme page is really aimed at younger children, up to about age 5. Don't be fooled into thinking that these projects and activities are too simple for this age group. Young children thrive on simplicity - it gives them the opportunity to work independently, to understand the task at hand, and to "own" their work. Immersing them in projects and activities that center around a particular theme (in this case the letter "L") allows them to gain a greater understanding of the theme and internalize it.
There are plans for many projects and activites for this theme. Additional crafts, projects, printables, recipes, music, and more will be added to this page in the coming months. I've decided to put the theme pages up as a work in progress. In truth, even when I think that I've completed a theme page, I think of other things that I should have added.
Words Beginning With "L"
Talk with your child about the letter "L", the sound it makes, and words that start with this letter. If you are using some kind of phonics program with your child, this would be the time to work on "L" within the program.
NOTE: If you are considering a phonics program to help your child learn to recognize letters, learn their sounds, and eventually read, then I can personally recommend Frontline Phonics
. It is an excellent program for younger children and blends nicely with this theme approach to crafting.
lion
lily
leg
lollipop
letter
|
lime
leaf
lemon
leg
ladybug
|
lamb
llama
little
lamp
loud
|
light
lace
light
lake
large
|
"L" Projects
Potato Ladybugs
I saw this idea in a magazine years ago. Draw some black spots on a piece of construction paper with a black crayon. Cut a potato in half and dip half in red paint. Stamp potato over the black spots and let dry. The crayon resists the paint and makes a cute ladybug.
Lollipop Mice
The inspiration for this craft came from a craft book several years ago, and I created a template for Lollipop Mice here.
Print the template out onto heavy colored construction paper (reds, purples, and pinks) and cut them out. Punch holes in the nose where indicated. Thread a 3-4 inch length pipe cleaner through the top two holes to form whiskers. Do the same with the bottom two holes. Slip a lollipop down through the loops provided by the pipe cleaners.
Paper Plate Ladybug
Paint a paper plate black and paint another paper plate red. Let dry. Cut the red paper plate in half. Put the red halves over the black plate as if the red plate were still together. You should see a little bit of the black plate where the head would be. Attach the red halves to the black plate with brads. This will make ladybug wings that will open and shut. Cut several black circles out of construction paper and glue on the ladybug's wings. Glue wiggle eyes onto the head.
Paper Plate Lion
Paint a paper plate yellow or tan. Cut several 2 x 3 (approximate) inch strips of orange or brown construction paper. Glue strips of paper all around the plate to make the lion's mane. Draw on a face with marker. You can also do this with yarn around the face, but it is more difficult for younger children to manage.
Fingerprint Ladybugs
Cut out a large leaf from green construction paper. Dip fingertip into red paint and stamp the leaf. Let dry. Draw in spots with marker. You can also do this idea by gluing strips of green construction paper onto another piece of white construction paper to resemble blades of grass. Then stamp fingerprints.
Printable L
Use this template to make other letter crafts or simply use it to color.
Alphabet Books
EVERYONE has some type of ABC book out on the market, but these are the tried and true books that my kids like.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - I believe that this story was single handedly responsible for teaching my son his letters. He was hooked on this book the first time I read it to him and he never gets tired of it. I started out by pointing to the letters as I read it to him, now he points them out to me!
My First Phonics Book - My daughter loves to read this book before bed. It has helped her to get excited about words and their beginning letters.
Dr. Seuss' A B C - I love Dr. Seuss books because they keep the kid's attention. Not always an easy task!
My First ABC Book - My two year old son has this book and absolutely loves it! He makes me read it to him over and over and over and over!
Great "L" Books
The Grouchy Ladybug - A classic.
Ten Little Ladybugs - Good "L" theme book for younger kids and gets in a little counting as well.
Mary Had a Little Lamb - A classic with a lot of "L" practice.
"L" Play
There are probably a lot of free-play things kids can do that will encourage them to think about the letter L. Here are a few of the things that I've tried with my own kids: go out and find some real ladybugs, practice loud and soft talking, play leap frog, do the limbo, play london bridge, etc. Remember, the more you can immerse them in the "L" theme, the better chance you have that they will remember the letter, it's sound, and words that start with "L."
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