Pop, play, and pretend — the letter P is packed with preschool fun! From popping bubbles to pretending pirates and painting pictures, there are plenty of playful ways to practice the /p/ sound. The activities below will help your little learners recognize, repeat, and remember the letter P through hands-on exploration and active learning.
You'll discover on this page:
Phonics songs are a great way to help children learn letter sounds as they prepare for reading. Sing these songs slowly, emphasizing the sound of the letter.
Phonics Song
Tune: The Farmer in the Dell
P /p/ paint
P /p/ paint
/p/ /p/ /p/ /p/
P /p/ paint
Bible Version
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
P /p/ praise
P /p/ praise
Praise and pray to Jesus
P /p/ praise
Tie to Palm Sunday
Paint the Letter P poster yellow. Cut pink semicircles and brown triangles to glue on the p's to create pencils.
Find a pinecone that isn’t too sharp or poky. Let the child roll it in purple or pink paint, then roll it across the Pp poster to create textured prints.
Because pinecones can feel prickly and unusual in a child’s hand, this activity may be a bit challenging for sensory-sensitive children — but it can also be a great opportunity to gently explore new textures.
Provide the child with pink and purple construction or tissue paper to tear into pieces. Glue these pieces on the Letter P poster, focusing on all of the /p/ sounds in the project.
Glue puzzle pieces to the Letter P poster. Typically secondhand stores have puzzles at a discounted price.
Glue pompoms onto the Letter P poster. For a color pattern focus, use pink and purple pompoms. Invite the child to count the pompoms as they glue them down.
Decorate the Letter P Poster with items that start with the letter p - palm trees, pigs, penguins, people.
Watch a child confidently learn through engaging, hands-on activities in the ABCJesusLovesMe Preschool Curriculum. With a focus on both academics and biblical values, this program nurtures development in every area, all while making learning fun. Click to discover how we can support a child's educational journey!
Paint the Letter P poster with purple or pink paint using various items like a craft stick, potato masher, potato, hair pick, puzzle piece.
Pinch a craft pom pom in a clothespin. Place pink or purple paint on a paper plate. Punch the clothespin in the paint, and then poke on the Letter P poster. That was a lot of /p/ words!
Bend pipe cleaners into the shape of the uppercase and lowercase p's. Glue the pipe cleaners on the Letter P poster.
Roll purple or pink play dough into snakes. Lay on the Letter P Poster to form the letters.
Mr. Putter and Tabby Paint the Porch by Cynthia Rylant is a sweet and gentle story about Mr. Putter, an elderly man, and his cat Tabby, as they decide to paint the porch. Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears is another precious book with ample /p/ words. The Mr. Putter and Tabby series was a favorite of my youngest son when he was a preschooler.
Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt is a beloved interactive book for babies and toddlers. It features simple text alongside touch-and-feel activities, like patting a bunny's fur, playing peek-a-boo, or feeling Daddy’s scratchy face. The sensory experiences in the book encourage exploration and engage young readers, making it a classic introduction to books for the very young.
The Three Little Pigs is a classic folktale that has been retold by various authors, each adding their own unique twist. The story follows three pigs who each build a house—one of straw, one of sticks, and one of bricks—to protect themselves from a hungry wolf. As the wolf blows down the first two houses, the third pig’s brick house withstands the huffing and puffing. This timeless tale teaches lessons about hard work, perseverance, and the consequences of taking shortcuts.
Struggling with a child who refuses to go to bed? The Bedtime Visual Schedule helps the child know what to expect and when, turning chaos into calm. Choose the simple version for younger children or the detailed version for older kiddos, and make bedtime smoother tonight! Read: Quick Tips to End Bedtime Battles
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney is a charming story about a little llama who is ready for bed and calls out for his mama, but she doesn’t immediately come to his side. As Llama Llama grows more anxious and cries for his mama, he eventually learns that she is simply downstairs and will be back to tuck him in. This sweet, rhythmic book addresses feelings of separation anxiety and impatience in young children while reinforcing the reassurance of a loving, dependable caregiver.
The Poppleton series by Cynthia Rylant follows the gentle and cheerful adventures of Poppleton, a kind pig who moves to a new town and makes new friends. Each early reader book features simple, heartwarming stories about friendship, curiosity, and everyday experiences. This series contains a book per season. My kids loved these books.
Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie follows the adventures of two best friends, Toot and Puddle, who live in a cozy little house in the woods. While Toot loves to travel and explore the world, Puddle prefers staying home and enjoying the quiet comforts of their surroundings. The book highlights their friendship, as they share their unique perspectives and find ways to appreciate each other's differences. With its gentle illustrations and heartwarming story, Toot and Puddle teaches children about friendship, adventure, and the joy of sharing experiences.
In Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell, follow the lifecycle of a pumpkin named Jack from a Jack-o-lantern to a pumpkin again.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin tells the story of Pete, a laid-back cat who loves his white shoes. As he walks along, he steps in various messes—like strawberries, blueberries, and mud—that change the color of his shoes, but Pete remains cheerful and keeps singing his catchy song. This book highlights themes of resilience and positivity, showing kids that it's okay when things don’t go as planned.
In I am Invited to a Party by Mo Willems, Piggie is excited to attend her first party and invites her friend Gerald the elephant to come along. Unsure of what to expect, Gerald’s cautious nature leads them to prepare for every possible scenario, from formal attire to swimming gear. Through playful antics, the story teaches kids about friendship, fun, and being prepared for anything!
I highly suggest multiple Elephant and Piggie books.
Another Mo Willems series, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy is a fun book about a pigeon that promises that he will take care of a puppy. When a puppy actually appears, the pigeon decides he doesn't want a puppy as much as he thought!
The Pigeon series is another favorite in our home.
Create a sound box of items found around your home. Be sure to use the phonetic sound of the letter and not just the letter name when reading the book. When we come to a letter, I have my child read the phonetic sound of each letter.
Easter is a special holiday, but explaining its true meaning to young children can be a delightful challenge. That's why we've created the Easter Treasure Hunt, a fun and educational activity designed for children ages 3-12. Dive into the heart of Easter and discover its significance through an engaging scavenger hunt adventure.
All Printables Free for Immediate Family Use or with a Current License Only
- Potato chips, potato, pringles
- Pumpkin bread
- Purple plums, purple grapes
- Peaches
- Pudding
- Pop Tart, Popcorn, pop
- Peanut butter, peanuts
- Pawprint cookies, Pilgrim Cookies
