Penguins are one of my favorite learning themes! I think between my collection of penguin books, penguin facts, penguin art projects, and penguin writing that we do, I could actually spend a month on penguins with my preschoolers. This year I am adding name building to our penguin theme. Our feed the penguin name mat is a great way for preschoolers to practice first and last names in such a fun way!

Feed the Penguin Name Mat

Download the feed the penguin name activity from the pink button below. The file includes a penguin mat and alphabet letter fish cards.

Print the file on white cardstock or paper. Cut the letter fish cards apart on the gray dotted lines. Laminate both the penguin mat and the fish cards. This will add extra durability to the set. You can also stick the penguin mat into a plastic page protector to use.

Ways to Play

If your preschoolers are not ready to play by themselves, there are ways to adapt or add to the feed the penguin name mats to still make it a successful activity!

Name Cards – Create or use name cards for each preschooler. In my classroom, their names hang on the white board in the front of the room with a magnet. My preschoolers know by this time of year that whenever they need their name, they just go and grab it! Add names to the learning center to have your preschoolers find and match the letters on the card with the letter fish cards, and add them to the penguin mat.

Print 2 Sets of Letter Cards – There are extra letters at the end of alphabet of the fish cards that include vowels and common letters in names. My preschoolers prefer to use each letter in their name, even if it is a double. So if building the name Isabella, she would need one I, S, B, E and 2 A’s and L’s. So if you need extra letters, print 2 sets of the fish cards.

Build & Write Letters – Extend the penguin name mat by adding writing to the activity! Simply add a dry erase marker to the learning center if you have laminated the penguin mat. Or add a white board, magna doodle, or strips of paper and a pencil to the penguin name mat activity!

No matter which way your preschoolers play, learning will happen!