Our kids love to crawl through tunnels. We have the indoor fold up tunnels and there are often tunnels in the play structures at the park. They are working on beginning letter sounds, so I decided to make a game that combined their love of tunnels with a beginning letter sounds learning activity.
Beginning Letter Sounds Tunnel: Gross Motor Game
One of the best things about this game is there are NO supplies needed! All you need is children and a little space. Have the children line up and form a tunnel with their legs (as pictured). The child in the back of the line crawls through the tunnel and then says a word that begins with the letter A. Then, that child stands in the front of the line and becomes part of the tunnel again. The last child in line crawls through and says the name of something that starts with B and so on.
Our children were so delighted with this game that they pleaded with me to play it again later the same day. You can see from the picture below how pleased Capri was when she came up with a word. Alternatively, you could use a fold up tunnel instead (especially if you do not have many children playing).
More Indoor Movement Activities From The #TeachECE team:
Great Day for Up Reading Game from Growing Book by Book
Growing Book by Book says
What a fun game and it's perfect for a big group too.
Theresa says
Thank you Growing Book by Book.
It could definitely work well for a large group. I imagine a class could go through the alphabet rather quickly!
: 0 ) Theresa
Tara Brelinsky says
What a clever idea! As home schoolers, we're always looking to pick up fun, new ideas to add to our education tool box. I'll definitely share this one with friends.
Theresa says
Hi Tara.
Thank you. I appreciate you sharing this idea with friends. I hope they enjoy it.
: 0 ) Theresa
Samantha S says
What a great idea! And I love that you don't need anything special to do this!
Theresa says
Thank you Samantha.
It is nice when activities require no supplies.
: 0 ) Theresa
shelah moss says
What a fabulous way to integrate gross motor with early reading skills. It does sound like a lot of fun!
Theresa says
Thank you Shelah.
They had a lot of fun with this and keep requesting to do it again.
: 0 ) Theresa
Views From a Step Stool says
So fun! I just LOVE learning games like this!
Theresa says
Thank you Views From a Step Stool.
Our kids had a lot of fun with this one.
: 0 ) Theresa
Monica Miller says
I'm already in overdrive thinking about the uses of such a game in a classroom as well! Genius! Thanks for sharing.
Shann Soiney says
I LOVE this! We would have to use a tunnel, as only the twins are home during the day, but maybe my oldest would play with them too. Great way to learn. Thanks for the idea!
Theresa says
Thank you Monica.
I think this would work well in a classroom and would be very fast paced which would be fun for the kids.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Hi Shann.
A tunnel would be perfect for your twins. We have done lots of obstacle courses at home with our fold up tunnels.
Here is one that your twins might enjoy:
http://www.multiples-mom.com/2013/10/Alphabet-Letter-Sounds-Preschool-Obstacle-Course.html
: 0 ) Theresa
Twitchetts says
This game sound soooo much fun!! Any time they are learning while having a good time like this is Great!
Stefanie / The Monarch Mommy says
What a fun way to learn!
Theresa says
Thank you Twitchetts.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Thank you Stefanie.
: 0 ) Theresa
Tamara Goyette says
Such a simple idea, but perfect for getting to gets to interact and learn. I find kids do so much better learning when having fun like this.
The Forever Joyful Homeschool says
Love your idea for early kinesthetic learning! Would you please share this with our readers at the Literacy Musing Mondays Linkup? #LMMLinkup http://www.foreverjoyful.net/?p=904 We love early learning ideas!
Theresa says
Thank you Tamara.
I think letter sounds moving around spice things up just a little bit and add to the fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Thank you Forever Joyful Homeschool.
I would love to share this in your Literacy Musing Mondays Link-up. Thank you for the invitation.
: 0 ) Theresa
Amber says
What a great game! We have plenty of fold up tunnels (and kids!) to play. Plus, my crew is into letter names and sounds right now.
Theresa says
Thank you Amber!
I hope your crew enjoys trying this out. Ours found it quite amusing.
: 0 ) Theresa
Tami Q says
I love that they kiddos can move their energetic bodies instead of having to sit still to learn! My kiddo will love this game! I'm looking forward to your next contribution at Literacy Musing Mondays!
Theresa says
Thank you Tami Q.
I hope your kiddo enjoys trying this out. I enjoyed participating in Literacy Musing Mondays.
: 0 ) Theresa
Jenjo Games says
I loved the activities which makes learning for kids little more interesting. I think it’s a fabulous way to integrate gross motor with early reading skills. It does sound like a lot of fun for kids to keep engaged for long hours. Bookmarked your blog to enjoy this fun learning game with my little ones. Thanks!