These Loose Parts Alphabet Mats are designed to blend sensory learning and play-based literacy activities. They will encourage both creativity and deep learning.

Whether you’re struggling to find an activity that holds students’ attention or you just need a simple, low-prep activity for small group literacy rotations, these mats give you an easy, versatile solution.

Use the alphabet mats with loose parts (stones, counters, play dough, math manipulatives etc) to teach letter identification and letter formation in a sensory, hands-on way – all while keeping your young students motivated and focused!

Make Literacy Fun with Loose Parts Play

I created these alphabet mats because I noticed my students needed a more tactile, open-ended way to explore letters. While worksheets served a purpose, they didn’t spark that curiosity or engagement I was looking for in my classroom.

The nature-themed visuals also bring a calming, Reggio-inspired feel to the classroom.

With All Australian Fonts and USA Font

With six font variations included, it’s easy to meet your curriculum’s expectations for handwriting and letter formation because you can print exactly the right version to fit your needs.

Included Fonts:

• Queensland Beginner’s Font

• New South Wales Foundation Font

• South Australia Beginner’s Font

• Tasmania Beginner’s Font

• Victoria Modern Cursive (also for WA & NT)

• Standard American Elementary Font

Save Time with This Low-Prep Resource

Tired of complicated prep and set-up for every activity?

No more scrambling for last-minute activities! These mats are ready to print and go. They’re so versatile!

I’ve used them in small group rotations, literacy centers, morning tubs, and for early finishers. You’ll save valuable planning time while still offering your students a fun, meaningful, standards-aligned activity.

What’s Included in These Loose Parts Alphabet Mats

This product comes with six font versions (all Australian fonts and an American elementary font), giving you the flexibility to choose what works best for your students.

Here’s what’s inside:

• 26 Alphabet Mats featuring real-life nature photos.

• 60 Loose Parts Ideas to inspire creative letter formation.

• 2 Learning Prompts to scaffold student thinking.

• 4 Student Recording Sheets for easy documentation of progress.

• 2 Teacher Observation Checklists to help track learning outcomes.

• Display Poster explaining the educational value of alphabet loose parts play.

• Organisational Document Wallet Label to keep your resources neatly stored.

The learning prompts, poster and alphabet mats are in A4 size. Print them in colour and at a high quality as the pictures are stunning real life nature photos.

Linked to ACARA Content Descriptions:

• form most lower-case and upper-case letters using learnt letter formations (AC9EFLY08 )

• recognise and generate sounds (phonemes) in spoken words (phonological awarenesss) (AC9EFLY09)

• recognise and name all upper- and lower-case letters (graphs) and know the most common sound that each letter represents (AC9EFLY11)

Perfect for Cross-Curriculum Learning

These alphabet mats are not just for teaching letters!

They help develop fine motor skills, foster creative problem-solving and build concentration and sustained focus. Oh, they are also great for developing visual art skills too!

They provide a sensory-rich experience that keeps little ones engaged and learning.

Turn literacy time into a playful, sensory experience that meets your curriculum goals and supports deeper learning with these Loose Parts Alphabet Mats. You’ll love all the ways you can use them throughout the day and your students will love the hands-on fun.