Unlocking Learning Fun: 4 Foam Letter Activities for Engaging Toddler Play

DIVE INTO DISCOVERY: 4 FOAM LETTER ACTIVITIES YOUR TODDLER WILL LOVE

If you’ve ever handed a toddler a set of foam letters, you already know—somehow, they end up everywhere except where you expect. In the bath? Yes. Under the couch? Probably. Stuck to the dog? Wouldn’t be surprised. But before you sigh and start gathering them up again, let’s turn those scattered letters into something fun and secretly educational.

Here are four ridiculously easy, low-prep ways to use Munchkin bath foam letters for play that actually builds skills—no elaborate setups required. Plus, we’ll talk about why the order you introduce these activities matters (spoiler: it keeps kids engaged and makes learning stick).

THE SECRET SAUCE: WHY SEQUENCING MATTERS

Before we jump into the activities, let’s talk strategy. Toddlers thrive on repetition and novelty—two things that seem like opposites but actually work together. When you introduce activities in a specific order, you:

• Start simple, then build skills. If they master one step first, the next one feels like an exciting challenge instead of frustration waiting to happen.
• Keep their attention longer. Switching things up keeps toddlers engaged (which is code for buys you a few extra minutes of coffee time).
• Make learning feel natural. When activities flow into one another, kids absorb concepts without even realizing it.

Now, on to the good stuff.

ACTIVITY 1: GIANT LETTER PUZZLE

Let’s kick things off with an easy matching game that feels like a puzzle and builds those fine motor skills.

How to play:

• Trace each foam letter on a big sheet of kraft paper with a sharpie.
• Toss all the letters into a bin.
• Let your toddler match the foam letters to their outlines.

Why it’s great:

• Boosts hand-eye coordination
• Introduces letter recognition without pressure
• Is basically a scavenger hunt, which makes everything more exciting

Pro tip: Tape the kraft paper to the floor for some extra gross motor fun—jumping from letter to letter counts as learning, right?

ACTIVITY 2: STORM DOOR LETTERS

Toddlers love two things: spraying stuff with water and sticking things to surfaces they probably shouldn’t. Let’s use that to our advantage.

How to play:

• Lightly mist a storm door or window with water.
• Hand your toddler the foam letters and let them go wild sticking them on.
• Call out letters for them to find, or challenge them to make a simple word.

Why it’s great:

• Turns learning into a hands-on experience (literally)
• Encourages early spelling skills without actually sitting down to spell
• Provides at least 10 minutes of toddler entertainment—longer if they get distracted playing with the spray bottle

ACTIVITY 3: LETTER COLOR SORT

Now that they’ve explored letters, let’s mix in some color sorting. Because sorting = toddler gold.

How to play:

• Set out a few bins in different colors.
• Dump all the foam letters into a pile.
• Have your toddler sort them by color.

Why it’s great:

• Reinforces both color and letter recognition
• Encourages problem-solving in a way that feels like play
• Gives you a break while they’re hyper-focused on sorting (you’re welcome)

ACTIVITY 4: SHOWER WALL LETTER MATCH

End the day with a bath time activity that keeps little hands busy without turning the bathroom into a splash zone.

How to play:

• Write the alphabet on the shower wall with a dry erase marker.
• Have your toddler match the foam letters to their written counterparts.
• Wipe clean with a magic eraser when you’re done.

Why it’s great:

• Makes bath time feel like play, but sneaks in learning
• Engages multiple senses for better memory retention
• Is way more fun than just washing their hair

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

By following this sequence, your toddler goes from simple matching to hands-on exploration to sorting and finally, real-world letter connections—all while having fun. Learning doesn’t need to be complicated or require fancy setups. Sometimes, all it takes is a few foam letters, a bit of creativity, and a willingness to embrace the mess.So next time you find foam letters everywhere, just remember: they’re not just toys—they’re little tools for learning, adventure, and maybe even a few quiet moments for you. Enjoy!

Kraft Paper Roll

Foam Letters

Painter’s Tape

Black Permanent Markers

Expo Dry Erase Markers

Multicolor Storage Bins

Plastic Storage Baskets