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The Alphabet Game

Find A, then B, then C, on every sign you pass.

The Alphabet Game
For ages4y - 11y
Time available25 min
Prep0 min
Mess
Noise
YouYes, I will join in

The classic car game. Needs nothing, works from the age of four, and lasts a surprisingly long stretch of motorway.

What you need

Nothing at all.

How to do it

  1. Everyone starts at the letter A.
  2. Find an A on any sign, number plate or shopfront and call it out.
  3. Once you have it, move on to B.
  4. You must find them in order, and each letter must be on something you can point at.
  5. First to Z wins, or whoever is furthest when you arrive.

Most activity lists ignore the things that actually decide it

Scanning the environment for a specific letter is exactly the visual discrimination that early reading depends on, and children will do it for far longer in a car than at a table. The strict ordering also adds a working memory load.

Adapting by age

4 to 5 yearsAny order, and accept letters anywhere including inside the car.
10 to 12 yearsThe letter must be the first letter of a word, which makes Q and Z genuinely hard.

Keep it safe

The driver does not play.

Cleanup tip

None.

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