ABCD Mystery!

Engaging for younger and older learners - this mystery writing is used in the classroom, too!

We started this activity by reading "ABCers" by Carole Lexa Schaefer. This book, which was included in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, matches each alphabet letter with everyday activities. I wasn't expecting my little one to love this book as much as she did! And I loved that it's set in a city landscape.

Then we jumped into our mystery letter activity. Prep the mystery letter cards ahead by writing each letter of the alphabet with white crayon on pieces of cardstock (I used all uppercase letters). You and your preschooler can take turns picking a card. Of course, your little one will only see white paper, but when he/she scribbles on the paper with a marker - BAM - the mystery letter appears. Magic! Then we taped the mystery letter on our alphabet poster.

If you want to try this too, here's the setup:

1. Cut white cardstock into card size rectangles.

2. Use a white crayon and write a letter of the alphabet on each card (*Important tip: write the letter on the front AND the back of the card, so that it doesn't matter which side your preschooler scribbles on).

3. Put all the cards in a tin or basket.

4. Take turns picking a card and scribbling with marker until the mystery letter is revealed!

5. Say the mystery letter aloud and tape it onto the alphabet poster.

6. Pick another card and repeat.