Make learning the ABCs fun with these free printable alphabet flashcards. This set includes separate cards for uppercase and lowercase letters, giving you endless possibilities for how to learn with your child.
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Last year, I was looking for ways to help my preschooler practice the alphabet. Specifically, I wanted to help him match upper and lowercase letters. I found lots of adorable printable flash cards online, however none of them were exactly what I was looking for.
So, as I often do when trying to teach my children, I decided I would just have to make what I was looking for. That’s how these alphabet flash cards were born. And since I got a little carried away in designing them, I thought I’d share them with all of you!
What I love about these alphabet flashcards:
- They are big (1/4 page). This makes them easy to read and easy for little hands to grab and manipulate.
- The uppercase and lowercase letters are on separate cards. There are lots of cute flash cards out there that have the upper and lowercase letters on the same card with adorable illustrations…which works really well for drilling, but it’s also pretty limiting when it comes to playing other hands-on learning games. By separating the upper and lowercase letters, it opens up a whole world of possibilities for learning the alphabet: matching games, go fish, and so much more.
- The font mimics the handwriting of the perfect kindergarten teacher. Seriously, I spent SOOO long hunting for the perfect font to use. I even redesigned the whole set after I had made the set the first time with a different font because I realized in practice that some of the letters were confusing. Thank you to Nicole from Rowdy in Room 300 for the awesome font I finally settled on!
How to make your flash cards last–let’s talk laminating:
I highly recommend laminating your flash cards to make them last longer. You can certainly use them without doing so, but paper only lasts so long in the hands of a toddler…if you know what I mean.
If you don’t have a laminator, I have to say, I think every mom needs one. They come in SO handy, especially if you are the type to do learning activities at home with your child (which you probably are, since you’re reading a blog post about DIY alphabet flash cards…just sayin’).
If you’re in the market, I recommend this Scotch thermal laminator and laminating pouches. It’s reasonably priced and has a ton of 5-star reviews.
Are you ready to get your own FREE set of alphabet flash cards? Sign up below!
Once you have printed your flash cards, read on for the rest of the tutorial.
How to assemble your printable flash cards
Materials needed:
- card stock paper
- thermal laminator and laminating pouches.
- scissors or paper cutter (this is similar to the one I have)
What to do:
- Download and print the free printable alphabet flash cards on white card stock paper. You could use plain paper, but they will be stiffer and more card-like if you use card stock.
- Cut out the flash cards (there are four per page). I used my paper cutter to keep the lines super straight, but you could use scissors in a pinch.
- Laminate four at a time. Make sure you leave space between the cards in the laminating pouch so you can cut them apart later.
Pro Tip: Put a dab of glue on the back of each card before setting it in place in the laminating pouch. This will help it stay in place as you feed it through the machine. - Once cool, cut the laminated pages into flash cards. I like to round the corners so that there are no sharp points to poke anyone.
- Now you’re ready to play!
They take a little time to put together, but it’s a great, mindless activity to do while watching a show on Netflix (or whatever) in the evening. We’ve had our cards for over five years now and they are still holding up great!
Need help getting started with your new alphabet flash cards? Check out Flash Card Fun!
Want more learning activities for preschoolers? Try these:
- Free printable number flashcards
- Free printable shape flashcards
- “Squirt the Letter” fun outdoor alphabet game
- “Trace the alphabet” scavenger hunt
I just sincerely want to THANK YOU sooo much for this – I haven’t even printed them out yet but I am just about to … for my Grandchildren! I LOVE them and was looking for separate upper and lower case and this came up! It is just what I wanted and to think that you gave of your time to share them for free instills my faith in humankind in this crazy world we are living … So Thank You very much and I will comment agin once I print them out and begin using them to help teach my little grands the phonic sounds!
You are SO welcome! It makes me so happy to know people find my activities helpful.
I love these flash cards!!! I looked all over for something simple but not boring, easy to ready and bigger then a normal flashcard. This is exactly what I’ve been searching for! Thank you so much! Have you thought about creating more flashcards for numbers, shapes and colors? I’m not creative or talented enough to create myself.
I’m so glad you like them! I hadn’t really planned on making others for numbers and shapes, but I think I might now that you mention it!
Thank you very much very useful
Brilliant Thanks. Any change of doing an editable version. I am teaching phonics and would love to be able to make some cards with “ch” “th” “ck ” “sh” etc on them
Awesome, thank you.
Hello Megan. Thank you so much for this valuable resource:)
I am a grandma who is going to help my 5-year-old grandchild learn to read. Your alphabet cards are so well thought out and presented.. Do you have or could you recommend useful pictures that use the sound of each letter?
I don’t have picture yet, but I’ll add it to my list of projects to do! In the meantime, here’s an idea…pick a letter of the alphabet and go on a scavenger hunt for items around the house that start with that letter. For example, P: peanut butter, penguin, pillow, plant, etc…see how many things you two can find together!
What a wonderful grandma you are!
Thank you so much for your efforts
Just as you mentioned there are various alphabet flashcards available which are indeed fancy but not quite useful when introducing alphabet to young children. simplicity and clarity along with font style in these flashcards are ideal to keep child’s focus on the letter. many children are going to be benefited from your effort. much appreciated.
HI Megan! I started searching to print flashcards to use with my preschool class (so many premade sets I have are too busy). I love everything about yours! Hope you to know how much teachers like me love finding a great resource like this. Thank you for making them.
You’re so welcome!
I can’t thank you enough. This help me so much to teach my kids.thank u😘
You’re so welcome!
These flashcards are so useful. Thanks!
Glad to hear it! Comments like this make me so happy!
I signed up for the newsletter and i haven’t received the download for the letter and number flash cards .. Any tips.. I even went back and did it a second time to be sure i didn’t do a typo.
I’m so sorry you’re having a problem. Email me at meg@themanylittlejoys.com and I’ll make sure you get them!
Great flashcards!!! So cute and attractive design!
Good clarification. Thanks!