Simple Winter Alphabet Activity: Upper and Lowercase Mitten Letter Matching

Are you looking for a fun and educational winter activity for preschool? This super cute, free printable matching upper and lowercase letters is perfect. Simply print the mittens and  match capital and lowercase letters to play and learn!

Winter activity for preschool

Winter is here, and with it comes an opportunity to bring some seasonal fun into the classroom. So, if you’re looking for some winter activities for preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten students during the cold weather, warm things up with mitten-themed activities that keep little hands busy and minds engaged.

A favorite winter activity for preschoolers and kindergarteners students is using mitten-shaped cards to practice matching uppercase and lowercase letters. This hands-on approach helps kids build early literacy skills while enjoying a bit of winter magic. Here’s how mitten letter matching can benefit young learners, plus a few creative ideas to make the most of this cozy activity!

Plus don’t miss printable alphabet crafts, free winter worksheets, and thousands of free alphabet printables for preschoolers!

Matching upper and lowercase letters

Kindergarten is when students learn letter recognition and form connections between uppercase and lowercase letters. Mastering this skill is foundational for reading and writing. Once kids can quickly identify each form, they’re set up for success. They will soon work on sounding out words and recognizing letter patterns. It’s a fun, hands-on way for kids to reinforce both visual recognition and fine motor skills. And with mitten-themed cards, you add a seasonal touch that makes learning feel more like play!

Match capital and lowercase letters

Here are some winter activities for kindergarten students using mitten letter cards to practice letter matching, both in the classroom and at home:

Mitten Matching in a Sensory Bin

Fill a sensory bin with cotton balls or artificial snow, then hide mitten letter cards throughout. Each mitten has either an uppercase or lowercase letter. Kids can dig through the “snow” to find a pair. Matching uppercase and lowercase letters as they go. This activity is interactive and provides a little sensory exploration.

Small Group Matching Games

For a more guided approach, try setting up a small group activity where kids match uppercase and lowercase mittens at a table. Scatter the mitten cards face down and have students take turns flipping over two mittens to see if they’ve found a match. They can say each letter aloud as they play. This reinforces recognition while adding a bit of teamwork.

“Hanging Mittens” Matching Activity

Set up a mini clothesline in the room with clothespins. Give each student a mitten card with an uppercase letter and have them “hang” it on the line, then find its lowercase partner to pin right beside it. This simple yet creative activity adds a bit of winter whimsy to letter learning and helps with letter pair recognition in a memorable way.

Letter Match-Up Relay

Take advantage of a larger space with a letter match-up relay! Place uppercase mitten cards on one end of the room and lowercase on the other. Split kids into teams, and have each child take turns running from one side to find the uppercase and lowercase mitten match. This adds energy to the day and combines movement with learning.

Morning Centers or Literacy Stations

Set up a mitten letter matching center in the morning or as part of literacy stations. Students can work independently or with partners to match uppercase and lowercase letters, giving them some free time while reinforcing essential skills. This is a quick and effective way to start the day with hands-on learning. You can even add in some mitten tracing or mitten scissor activities.

Mitten Writing Practice

As an added bonus, let kids practice writing letters they’ve matched. After finding each uppercase and lowercase pair, they can write the letter on a small dry-erase board or in a winter-themed journal. This extra practice helps solidify their understanding and improves fine motor control.

Matching upper and lowercase letters activity

Using mitten letter cards as a winter activity is a cozy and effective way to teach kindergarten students letter recognition and pairing. With just a few fun ideas, teachers and parents can create an interactive learning experience that feels special for the season. Warm up your classroom with these mitten-matching winter activities and watch your little learners grow!