Alphabet Matching Game for the Ice Cream Fan

Budget Friendly and Kid Friendly!

From start to finish, this alphabet learning activity is really quite simple to do. You do not need any fancy materials to create this DIY learning resource. Making the board, scoops, and cones out of cardboard is a great way to keep costs down while recycling materials you already have at home! Read on for the simple step by step instructions.

For the color, we used paint sticks. They are a great arts and crafts supply that we constantly use. The colors come out so rich and vibrant, even on cardboard! The best part? They look like paint, roll on like a crayon, but dry in seconds! For more ideas of supplies you should have in your craft box, check out our Comprehensive List of Arts and Craft Supplies!

• Paper
• Glue
• Velcro Stickers (optional, for attaching)

• Cardboard
• Paint Sticks
• Permanent Marker
• Paper
• Glue
• Velcro Stickers (optional, for attaching)

Step 5

On the extra ice cream scoop, cut two slits near the center, leaving an opening in between so that the paper letter will be visible.

Step 6

Thread the paper letter strip through the cardboard so that it smoothly goes to the next letter when pulled.

Step 7

Optional; add velcro stickers to the back of the ice cream scoops and two velcro stickers to the main board. This will allow your child to place the letter down with accuracy, but is not a necessary feature.

Step 1

On a big piece of cardboard, glue or tape a cardboard triangle (aka your cone).

Step 2

Cut out cardboard circles; we did 27 for the whole alphabet, plus the bottom scoop.

Step 3

Color and decorate your ice cream scoops and cone. With a permanent marker, write the letters on each ice cream scoop.

Step 4

On a strip of paper, or several strips of paper, write the entire alphabet, leaving at least half an inch in between each letter.

Step 5

On the extra ice cream scoop, cut two slits near the center, leaving an opening in between so that the paper letter will be visible.

Step 6

Thread the paper letter strip through the cardboard so that it smoothly goes to the next letter when pulled.

Step 7

Optional; add velcro stickers to the back of the ice cream scoops and two velcro stickers to the main board. This will allow your child to place the letter down with accuracy but is not a necessary feature.

Educational Benefits for this Fun Alphabet Matching Game

This alphabet game will help to teach your child how to match uppercase and lowercase letters. Through practice, they will be able to identify and group these letters easily, the foundation of being able to use those letters to read and write.

This DIY game can also help them with their fine motor skills since they’ll be pulling the paper tab and using their hand-eye coordination to grab and match the letters. And last but not least, they’ll grow their love for learning because they’ll be independent in this activity also.