This alphabet clothesline activity is a fun learning activity for preschoolers that combines fine motor skills and literacy. While using their pincer grip, kids practice reciting the alphabet and learn to recognize upper and lower case letters.
It's very easy to set up and keeps the kids busy, two characteristics of at at-home learning activity that all parents appreciate!
Age level: 3-5 years
What you need
26 squares of construction paper, or index cards
Marker
String. This will be the "clothesline"
26 Clothespins
Enthusiastic preschoolers!
Instructions
Use the marker to write the upper and lower case letters on the cards, one letter per paper.
Tie a long string between two chairs.
Place the cards and the clothespins to the side, or in a basket next to the clothesline.
Using a clothespin, your child will take a letter card and hang it on the clothesline.
At this point you will decide how much direction to give your child, based on their age and knowledge of the alphabet.
For some children, you can speak the letter and have them repeat it after you. Others may already recognize the letter and will identify it out loud.
If your child is ready to put the letters of the alphabet in order, you can direct them to do so, although some may already be able to do so without any help.
Using clothespins is an excellent way for young children to practice their pincer grip. It can be a challenge to pinch the clothespins open and accurately clip on the letter cards, but you may be surprised at how determined your child is to accomplish the task!
Kids also love to take the cards off the clothesline!
Variation
For an advanced version of this activity, make separate cards for upper and lower case letters. Kids will then match the cases. You'll need twice as many cards and clothespins and a longer clothesline.
This literacy and fine motor activity is super quick entertainment and just the kind of indoor activity you need when you are asking, "What do we do all day?"
And maybe, just maybe.... next time your child will hang up the laundry!
Dare to dream.
First published 2008, updated 2023.
Jenny says
I did a clothespin activity with CJ months ago that was simple too- she squeezed them on and off a bowl. Actually hanging things up looks like lots more fun though. :o)
Christy says
I think this might help us with our sight word review. Thanks for the idea!
Oleta says
Thank you so much for sharing this activity idea.
May I add a teensy tip please?
I have threaded the string through the spring part of the clothes peg (uk version of clothes pin) which keeps the pegs strung so that our boys only need to attach the letter without needing to worry about also pinning the string.
Threading the clothes pegs whilst they were attached to the packaging cardboard strip that they were bought in meant that they were all kept still and was easier than threading them individually.
Thanks once again.
Oleta ?
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the tip!