Name Puzzles

My camera has started eating pictures...isn't that lovely?  So I don't have many terrific pictures of this activity but since this is such a quick one it shouldn't be a problem. 

We've been trying to take advantage of the summer sun even though we are itching with anticipation for fall to finally arrive.  Kaitlyn has been naming letters and "spelling" words for us lately so I wanted to do a quick activity that would help her learn to recognize the letters that spell her name and not simply call everything the letter 'e'. 

We took some construction paper and gathered the letters to spell each girls' name and headed outside.  Just place the construction paper in a sunny spot (it was windy so we used rocks to keep it from blowing away) and spell out each child's name with the letters.  We left our pages outside all afternoon. 

The sun will fade the paper and you'll be left with a great matching game.  I didn't tell the girls what we were doing so they were really surprised to see what had happened.  You could also use shapes, random letters, or anything else you have on hand. 

 

Kaitlyn worked hard at matching her letters and spelling her name outloud as she went. I'd like to do them again on a less windy day and then laminate the pages so they can be used over and over.  It didn't take her long to draw all over hers and tear it to shreds. 

 

It didn't take long for Kinsley to tire of spelling her name over and over so she started mixing it up a bit.  Spelling it backwards, trying to do it with her eyes closed, and then we started talking about why the paper changed colors and the importance of sun protection.  I love when I can find an activity that both girls actually like doing together.