Show and Tell ideas for every letter, A to Z

Show and Tell is a classroom activity where students bring an object from home, share it with the class, and practice speaking in front of a group. Most K–2 teachers use it to build early public speaking confidence, strengthen vocabulary, and give kids a warm, low-stakes way to connect classroom learning with their home lives.

ShowAndTellLetter is designed for ages 3–8 — preschool through second grade, when letter-of-the-week Show and Tell is most common. Teachers of older beginners often find the phonics resources useful too.

Start small at home — have them practice showing their item to you, a sibling, or even a favorite stuffed animal. Let them say just one sentence: "This is my ___ and I love it because ___." Choosing an item they already feel excited about makes a huge difference. The more familiar the item feels, the easier it is to talk about it in front of the class.

Show and Tell doesn't require anything fancy. A rock from the backyard, a library book, a drawing your child made, or a favorite kitchen item can work perfectly. Our A–Z idea lists always include a mix of everyday household objects alongside toys, so you'll almost always find something you already own.

Even the night before is plenty of time. If you can spare 10–15 minutes, you can pick an item, talk through what your child wants to say, and do one quick practice run. Try our free printable Show and Tell planning card to make the conversation even easier.

Download the free Show and Tell planning card (PDF) →

The ideas on this site are designed with real classroom expectations in mind — simple, appropriate, and easy to talk about. That said, every teacher has slightly different guidelines, so it's always a good idea to check your child's school newsletter or ask the teacher if you're unsure about a specific item.

Yes! All of our free printables are available for personal and classroom use. You're welcome to print and share them with students and parents at no charge. We just ask that you don't resell them or redistribute them digitally without linking back to the site.

It happens, and it's okay. Most teachers are understanding when a child needs more time to warm up. Keep it positive at home — never force a practice session if it turns into a meltdown. Try again another day with a different item, or let your child watch you do a pretend Show and Tell first to see how easy and fun it can be.