Sports bring people together. They spark energy and create lasting bonds between teammates and fans. Sports ignite a competitive fire that fuels determination and focus. What better way to channel that excitement than by adding it to our sports literacy activities? Check out these sports centers that will be a slam dunk in your classroom!
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Sports Lesson Plans
Football Alphabet Game
Sports Literacy Activities
The first and last time I played football with my husband was on St. Patrick’s Day when we were dating. Why was it the last time, you ask?
Well, someone, I’m not going to name any names, was a ball hog. He did not attempt to throw the ball to his girlfriend (me) once. It’s clearly a sore subject.
But if you are a ball hog in this alphabet game, you lose all your cards. Wah, wah.
Flip over each football card and name the letter. Score your cards or dare to take another turn. You may get another letter to score or become a ball hog by flipping over the card with the pig, and lose all the cards in your pile.
This football alphabet game is a great way to kick off the fun with your sports literacy activities!
Materials:
Soccer Roll & Trace
Letter Formation Activity
Which color team do you want to win? Root for your favorite as you roll the dice, trace the letter, and race to the goal!
This exciting Soccer Roll & Write activity turns letter tracing into a friendly competition that gets preschoolers cheering, learning, and having fun. With a colorful race to the finish, kids stay engaged while strengthening fine motor skills and letter formation—all while rooting for their favorite team to score the big win!
Materials:
Volleyball Beginning Sounds Activity
Sports Literacy Activities
The smack of the volleyball onto the gym floor is incredibly satisfying, especially when you’re the one spiking it over the net.
And now, your preschoolers can feel that same satisfying smack every time they “spike” the volleyball with the picture that matches the beginning sound.
This engaging activity turns early literacy into an exciting game, where learning phonics is just as fun as making that perfect play in a volleyball game.
Materials:
Basketball Syllables
Sports Literacy Center
Playing “Around the World” in the driveway was one of my favorite childhood activities. There was something about aiming for the basket and feeling that rush of excitement with every shot that swooshed through the net.
Now, I love bringing that same spirit into the classroom with playful learning games. One of my favorites? A basketball syllable activity where preschoolers count syllables on picture cards, crumple them up, and shoot them into matching hoops.
It’s a slam dunk way to build phonological awareness while keeping the fun of the game alive!
Materials:
- Basketball Syllables Activity
- 3 plastic cups
- tape
Tennis Rhyming Activity
Sports Literacy Activities
Power naps go a long way, even if you don’t actually fall asleep. My tennis partner and I were famous for a quick power nap in a camping chair before a match – essential for our victory!
And as teachers, I also recommend a power nap (after school, of course) to rejuvenate and calm your busy minds.
Even with a power nap, you’ll have your sports literacy centers for tomorrow because this tennis rhyming activity is low-prep. Just print, cut, and match the rhyming pairs. Grab this activity today!
Materials:
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MORE Sports Activities for Preschoolers
From spiking beginning sounds to shooting syllables into basketball hoops, these sports literacy activities bring movement, excitement, and learning together in one winning combo. Ready to bring the fun to your classroom? Click the link below to grab the complete Sports Bundle and make every learning center a championship event!
