Stick letters
Required:
Twigs and small sticks
Glue
Cardboard or wood
That pile of sticks and twigs on your lawn or in your garden is an "alphabet in waiting." Before using the twigs and sticks to create letters, have your child help you organize them into piles by size (an activity in itself). For pre-readers, assemble alphabet letters, then ask if anyone knows the letter's name. For children with reading skills, you can assemble complete words for them to pronounce. The reverse of this game is to say a letter or word, and have your child fashion the letters out of the twigs and sticks.

Finally, consider making twig and stick signs with glue and a piece of cardboard or wood. Kids will enjoy making signs with their names on them, or making mailbox signs (for covered porches). And there's a fringe benefit too; you may make your letter carrier's job just a bit more fun to do.

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