Thank you for your interest in my book, 101 Ways to Teach the Alphabet: A Hands-On Approach to Learning Letters and Sounds Through Play!
Throughout the book I provide a list of materials needed for each activity, and below I have shared ideas for where to find these materials. I have divided the materials into alphabet materials, art and craft materials, office supply materials, kitchen materials, and other materials.
Although I have provided links to places where you can purchase materials online, I make no warranty or guarantee about the products linked here, and I recommend you do your own due diligence before deciding whether to purchase an item or not.
As I state in the book, whenever possible you should use materials you already have on hand. Very often, materials you already own can be easily substituted for materials recommended in the book, allowing you to do the activity with your child at no extra expense.
Alphabet materials
Alphabet puzzle: I recommend the Lauri crepe rubber lowercase alphabet puzzle. Watch out for the dots over the i and j as they are separate pieces. Lauri will replace any pieces that go missing. Lauri also makes a crepe rubber uppercase alphabet puzzle. The uppercase stand up wooden puzzle from Hape is also very nice, and Melissa & Doug also makes an uppercase wooden puzzle.
Letter beads: I recommend the lowercase letter beads from Roylco and uppercase letter beads from Creativity Street. Roylco also sells uppercase letter beads, and these lowercase letter beads from Learning Resources come with nice strings.
Letter stamps: Educational Insights sells sets of transparent uppercase letter stamps and transparent lowercase letter stamps that allow children to see what they are stamping. The set of letter stamps from Melissa & Doug set comes with both uppercase and lowercase letter stamps as well as a multi-colored ink pad.
Letter tiles: Use letter tiles from the game Banangrams, My First Bananagrams, or Scrabble.
Miniature objects: I recommend the Language Object Starter Set from Montessori Services that includes miniature objects for every letter of the alphabet. I prefer to use actual 3D objects, but an acceptable substitute would be the Alphabet Soup Sorters from Learning Resources. Another option is to simply gather small items you have on hand. A key for ‘K,’ a bell for ‘B,’ a cotton ball for ‘C,’ etc.
Montessori movable alphabet letters: We own the Montessori small moveable alphabet from Kid Advance in print letters. It also comes in D’Nealian letters and cursive letters. Although not as ideal as the tactile letters of the moveable alphabet, moveable alphabet cards from Montessori Services in print, cursive, and pre-cursive would also work.
Montessori sandpaper letters: We own the set of uppercase and lowercase sandpaper letters from Ideal School Supply. But I really like how the set of uppercase and lowercase sandpaper letters from Didax shows the proper strokes and shows the line the letters are written on.
Art and craft materials
Apron or smock: To protect children’s clothing during messy activities, this long-sleeved smock from Mudder or this long-sleeved smock from Melissa & Doug could be useful. Another option is to simply have your children wear an old, adult-size t-shirt.
Black ink: I recommend using black liquid watercolor from Sargent or black liquid watercolor from Discount School Supply.
Liquid watercolor paints: See Paint, liquid watercolors
Paint, liquid watercolors: We own liquid watercolor paints from Sargent Art as well as Colorations liquid watercolor paints from Discount School Supply.
Paint, tempera: We own Colorations tempera paints from Discount School Supply and Crayola washable tempera paints.
Paint, watercolors: We prefer to use liquid watercolor paints (see above) rather than solid watercolor cakes, but I recommend using what you have on hand.
Paper, printer: We use 20 pound weight printer paper, which you can find at any office supply store.
Tempera paint: See Paint, tempera
Paper, watercolor: This 90-pound weight water color paper from Reeves is on the thin-side, but is priced well if you do not need heavy duty paper. This 140-pound weight water color paper from Canson is ideal for serious watercolor work due to its heavier weight.
Parchment-style paper: For an authentic look, try the classic vintage stationary from Juvale. As an alternative, simply use brown construction paper.
Scissors, for children: These training scissors from Fiskars are a good choice for a child just learning to use scissors. These blunt-tip scissors from Fiskars are good for a child who already knows how to use scissors.
Office supply materials
Dot stickers, 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter
White board markers: See Dry erase markers
Kitchen materials
Milk caps: You can purchase milk caps, but I recommend simply washing saving caps when you finish milk or other drinks from the grocery store.
Quart-size zip top plastic bag
Other materials
Cardboard tube: I recommend saving cardboard tubes from rolls of toilet paper or rolls of paper towels. However, you can also purchase cardboard tubes online or at craft stores.
Cornstarch blocks: I recommend saving any biodegradable packing peanuts you are fortunate to have sent your way. Alternatively, can purchase Magic Nuudles or biodegradable packing peanuts.
Feather quill: You can purchase a feather quill. Or you can do as we did and purchase feathers from the craft store to make your own quill following instructions you can find online.
Hammer: Be sure to use something child-friendly and lightweight.
Trays: This writing tray from Montessori Services would be good to create a salt writing tray. We own and love these easy clean craft trays from Learning Resources. You may also be able to find great trays at your local thrift shop.