After making our full-scale Alphabet SWAT! game with a giant swatter, I wanted to create a smaller scale version with a normal-sized swatter. This Tabletop Version of our Alphabet SWAT! game is a great alternative for a classroom setting or quiet time activity.
This game is simple to set up and easy enough for children to practice independently or in small groups. After the initial time investment of writing out the alphabet (or a series of numbers) on a bunch of Post-It notes, you simply need to introduce this game to your children and they can take it from there!
This game can be played for hours: going through the alphabet, finding and swatting the letters, re-positioning them and starting again, swatting out words, playing in teams – the possibilities are endless!
How to Play Alphabet SWAT!
First, gather your materials:
- Bug swatter (you can often grab fun ones at the dollar store!)
- Post-it notes or index cards
- Thick marker
We re-used the post-it notes from our large-scale Alphabet SWAT! game, but you could alternatively make a giant “BINGO” card out of poster board to fit the size of your table with as many letters (or even numbers) as you can fit.
If using Post-Its, write each letter on a separate Post-it note, and then stick those Post-it Notes all over a table. It’s also a good idea to go over The Alphabet Song with your child/group as a quick refresher before getting started.
Now, SWAT! those letters! Start by going through the alphabet, swatting each letter in order. If you’re playing as a group, you can take turns finding letters or race to find the letters. Then you can try different versions of the game or challenges with the letters.
By turning this memory challenge into a game, I find it easier to really assess where my daughter’s skills are because she forgets that she’s “showing me” and she just focuses on the fun game. This is a great tactic for children who often doubt themselves or whose skill level you’re not quite sure of – and it’s a great confidence booster for the kids, too!
Keep the alphabet Post-Its in a small box or baggie to preserve their stickiness and prevent the frustration of lost letters.
What are your favorite alphabet games to play with your kids?
More Alphabet Fun!
Alphabet Swat (full movement version)
Printable Alphabet Book (The Kindergarten Connection)
- Alphabet Sensory Bottle - February 21, 2019
- Space Alphabet Sensory Bottle - November 5, 2018
- Dinosaur Sensory Bottle With Alphabet Printables - February 15, 2018
Alphabet SWAT! Letter Recognition Game