Letter A Snacks

It's Letter A day, so today's snack is a whole plate of foods that start with the /a/ sound, like apple. Your child gets to taste the letter, hear the sound over and over, and even build a giant A out of snacks before eating it.

What you need

Pick 3 or 4 of these:

• Apple slices (thin, or cooked soft for younger toddlers)

• Avocado chunks or mashed on toast

• Animal crackers

• Applesauce

• Pretzel sticks, for building the letter

How to make it

1. Set up a tasting plate. Put a small amount of each A food in its own section of a plate or muffin tin.

2. Say it slowly. Before each bite, say the name together and stretch the first sound: "Aaaa-pple. Aaaa-nimal." Ask, "What sound do you hear first?"

3. Build a big A. Lay two pretzel sticks or apple slices in a tent shape, then add one across the middle. Let your child try to copy it.

4. Taste test. Which A food is the crunchiest? The softest? The sweetest? Make a little "favorite" pile.

Why we love it

Kids learn letter sounds best when they hear them in words they actually care about, and nothing gets a toddler's attention like food. By the end of snack time your child has heard /a/ a dozen times without anyone "teaching" anything. Building the A shape is also a fun follow-up to Tuesday's Letter A worksheet.

Make it your own

• A is for Animal parade: Line up the animal crackers and name each one before it gets eaten.

• Dip it: Apple slices dipped in applesauce is a double-A treat.

• Hunt for A: Check the fridge and pantry for anything else that starts with /a/.

• Cut-out letter: Press an alphabet cookie cutter into toast, cheese or a slice of melon to make a big A you can eat.

A quick safety note: Whole nuts, including almonds, are a choking hazard for kids under 4, so we left them off. Cut apples into thin slices or small pieces.

Shop these items

Everything mentioned in this post, in one place. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Alphabet cookie cutters

• Shop everything for Week 1: All About Me

• Starter supplies: the basics we use most weeks

• See every week in our Amazon storefront

More for this week: see all our All About Me activities, Letter A activities and Number 1 activities.

Every child is different. Please use your own judgment about what's safe and right for your family. Always supervise children during activities and while eating, and adjust foods for allergies, dietary needs and your child's age and chewing ability. Sprocket & Sprout shares these ideas for fun and learning only. We are not responsible for any injury, allergic reaction, damage or mess that may result from trying them. This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.