The Show and Tell Letter A day is more than just the beginning of the alphabet—it's a golden opportunity to spark creativity, build confidence, and help children form meaningful connections with language.
Whether you're a preschool teacher prepping your class or a parent helping your child get ready for their big show-and-tell moment, this guide is packed with fun, practical, and playful ideas that make learning the letter A unforgettable.
🎯 Why Letter A Deserves a Great Start
The letter A introduces kids to the entire world of letters and phonics. By associating it with fun objects, movement, stories, and games, kids begin to see, hear, say, and remember it in a way that sticks.
Plus, A is packed with high-interest words—think apple, ant, airplane, alligator, and even astronaut!
🧺 Letter A Show and Tell Ideas Kids Will Love
Let’s start with some simple and effective show and tell items that start with A, along with tips for what kids can say during their presentation.
🍎 Apple
- What to bring: A real apple, toy apple, or apple-themed art
- What to say: “This is a red apple. My favorite fruit! Did you know apples float in water?”
Bonus idea: Try a taste-test of red vs. green apples and describe the difference.
🐜 Ant
- What to bring: Plastic ant or a picture
- What to say: “Ants are super strong and can carry things bigger than themselves!”
Class activity: Read a short ant-themed book like Hey, Little Ant.
✈️ Airplane
- What to bring: Toy airplane or a folded paper one
- What to say: “My airplane is flying to Africa to see animals!”
Extra tip: Have children create a pretend flight path using a classroom map.
🐊 Alligator
- What to bring: Plush toy, figurine, or mask
- What to say: “Alligators have sharp teeth and live in swamps.”
Bonus: Sing the “See You Later, Alligator” rhyme for fun.
🎨 Artwork
- What to bring: A drawing or painting
- What to say: “I drew an alien! It has three eyes and likes pizza.”
Creative add-on: Display all the children’s A-themed art in a mini gallery.
🎭 Game-Based Activities to Reinforce Letter A
Now that you’ve got your items picked out, let’s explore some interactive games and learning strategies to bring the letter A to life.
🕵️ Game 1: “A” Treasure Hunt (Indoor or Outdoor)
Objective: Kids race to find objects that start with the letter A.
Instructions:
- Give each child a small basket or bag.
- Set a timer (3–5 minutes).
- Tell them to find as many items as they can that start with the letter A (apple, apron, acorn, animal toy, etc.).
- After time’s up, have each child pick one favorite item to present in “Show and Tell.”
Why it works: It combines phonics recognition with physical movement, making it fun and memorable,Kids build vocabulary while engaging in active, real-world learning.
🤸 Game 2: Act Out the “A” Word
Objective: Children act like something that starts with the letter A, and others guess.
How to play:
- One child acts like something starting with A (ant, alligator, astronaut).
- The class guesses the word.
Examples:
- Crawl like an ant 🐜
- Chomp like an alligator 🐊
- Pretend to fly like an airplane ✈️
- March like an astronaut 👨🚀
Benefits:
- Encourages movement
- Builds confidence for shy learners
- Reinforces phonics through play
Bonus Tip: Let kids wear simple costumes or masks (paper headbands with letter A animals, etc.).
Why it works: Kids love movement and roleplay. This activity also helps shy kids participate without needing to speak much.
🎨 Game 3: Alphabet Art Challenge
Make “Show and Tell Letter A” a vocabulary boost too!
Each child picks a new “A” word to learn and share. Here's a short list with meanings they can use:
| Word | Easy Definition |
|---|---|
| Acrobat | Someone who flips and does tricks |
| Apricot | A small orange fruit |
| Artist | Someone who makes pictures or crafts |
| Alarm | A sound that tells you to wake up |
| Arrow | A symbol that points or shows direction |
🎨 Activity idea: Kids can draw the word they learned and explain it!
🎒 Expanded Show and Tell Letter A Ideas
Let’s take common show and tell items… and make them more exciting through storytelling and props!
1. 🍎 Apple Adventure
Item: Apple (real or toy)
Story Game: “This is my explorer apple. It went on a picnic with me and fell into a puddle!”
Add-on:
- Taste test different apples (green vs. red)
- Count apple seeds together
- Guess the weight of an apple
2. ✈️ Amazing Airplane Journey
Item: Paper airplane or toy
Interactive Idea:
- Let the child “fly” the airplane to the front of the room.
- Ask them to describe where the airplane is going: “We’re flying to Africa to see animals!”
Add-on: Use a world map to trace pretend flight paths. Great geography tie-in!
3. 🐜 Ant Parade Game
Item: Plastic ant or ant picture
Game: Set up a line of toy ants on a “march.” Ask, “Where are the ants going?” Let each child guess or build a story.
Add-on:
- Sing the “Ants Go Marching” song together.
- Observe real ants outside (nature connection).
4. 🖼️ Art from an Artist
Item: A child’s drawing (encourage art starting with A — an apple, astronaut, ant, etc.)
Interactive Idea: Set up a mini “art gallery” with a sign: “Letter A Gallery.” Let kids explain their art in 1-2 sentences.
Add-on:
- Have classmates vote (gently) on “most colorful,” “most creative,” etc.
- Give out mini “Artist of the Day” certificates.
🧑🏫 Teacher & Parent Tips for a Great Show and Tell Letter A
Here’s how to make the most of this milestone alphabet day:
✅ Reinforce phonics — Practice the short and long A sounds (“a-a-apple” vs. “a-ape”).
✅ Encourage storytelling — Help your child say a few interesting facts or a short story about their item.
✅ Make it multisensory — Mix speaking, touching, tasting (like apples!), and drawing for better retention.
✅ Celebrate everyone’s effort — Applaud every child’s turn to build confidence and participation.
Make this lesson unforgettable with these extra touches:
✅ A-themed classroom setup: Decorate with A-shaped balloons, signs, and banners.
✅ Alphabet snack time: Apple slices, animal crackers, or alphabet cereal.
✅ Involve parents: Ask them to help kids pick their “A” item the night before.
✅ Reinforce phonics: Play “What’s the Sound?” and emphasize the short /a/ (as in “ant”) and long /a/ (as in “acorn”).
🔍 Letter A Show and Tell FAQ
Q: What are some last-minute show and tell items for letter A?
A: Apple, ant toy, artwork, airplane, apron, alarm clock, avocado.
Q: My child is shy—what can we do?
A: Let them act it out, or hold a toy quietly while you or a helper prompts them with simple questions. Small wins build big confidence.
Q: Can we combine A words into a mini story?
A: Absolutely! Example: “An astronaut with an apron ate an apple while petting his pet ant.” Let kids make up their own silly A-stories!
Q: What are easy show and tell items that start with A?
A: Apple, ant toy, alligator plush, airplane model, apron, alarm clock, or art project.
Q: How can I make letter A fun for preschoolers?
A: Use movement games, songs, and drawing activities related to A-words like ant, apple, and airplane.
Q: How do I teach the letter A in a way that sticks?
A: Mix learning styles—sight (pictures), sound (phonics games), touch (hands-on objects), and storytelling. Use games and songs to keep energy high.
🏁 Wrap-Up: A is for Adventure, Art, and Amazing Learning
Show and Tell Letter A is more than a learning activity—it’s a chance to help kids express themselves, explore the world around them, and fall in love with language. By blending objects, games, art, stories, and movement, you make the alphabet come alive in a way children won’t forget.
👉 Ready for the next adventure? Stay tuned for our Show and Tell Letter B guide coming soon!
