Free printable letters, whether they’re actual letters (like to Santa) or printable alphabet letters, come in handy for a variety of purposes. For example, they can both be used as entertaining indoor activities with an educational twist. Read on to see how free printable alphabet letters and printable letter templates can be used for kids and adults for arts and crafts projects, educational endeavors, DIY gifts, and much (much) more!
Free Printable Letters for Crafts
From scrapbooking to DIY party décor, there are a myriad of ways you can use printable alphabet letters in arts and crafts projects. For instance, you could use these free printable alphabet letters with flowers to decorate a scrapbook page that is spring themed, such as pictures from an Easter party. They could also be used to make a simple banner or place settings for a garden party.
These alphabet letter templates aren’t just for special occasions. Nope, they’re adorable enough for every day use! For example, create décor for your kiddo’s room by using these printable alphabet letters of teddy bears that spell his or her name. Decorate the letter(s) or present your little Picasso with this artistic opportunity, frame the finished piece of art, and hang it in their bedroom.
Tip: This project also makes for an absolutely adorable baby shower gift, but we’ll get to using free printable letter templates to make heartfelt DIY gifts in a bit! 😉
Bonus: If you like to party like a rock star on a shoe string budget, be sure to keep these printable alphabet letters of balloon bubble letters handy. They are great for making decorations for just about any occasion. (You may also want to pursue these frugal birthday party ideas.)
Free Printable Letters for Coloring Sheets
Looking for a simple way to put free printable alphabet letters to use? Look no further! Even the most basic alphabet letter templates, like these free printable uppercase bubble letter stencils and lowercase bubble letters, can be turned into coloring sheets.
Simply print out an entire alphabet or enlarge a few letters, dish out some art supplies like crayons, colored pencils, and washable markers, and turn your kiddos loose! Not only will coloring keep them entertained long enough for you to have a complete thought, it won’t destroy your home (as long as you heed my advice to stick with washable markers) and it has benefits.
For example, coloring can help:
- Enhance fine motor skills.
- Improve coordination.
- Improve focus.
- Promote relaxation (like meditating)!
- Develop creativity and imagination.
- Promote bonding when done as a group / family activity.
- Teach sharing and collaboration when supplies (like crayons) are limited or when presented as a group “challenge.”
- Boost confidence since coloring is more of an abstract project vs. a black-and-white (right-and-wrong) project like solving a math problem.
Plus, when you give your kids an alphabet letter template to color it can help them get acquainted with their ABCs!
Tip: All of the awesome benefits of coloring don’t just apply to kids! That’s right, adults can reap all of the same benefits, so grab an adult coloring page or one of these printable alphabet letters sheets for yourself and get in on the fun! 🙂
If you feel like these plain old printable bubble letters are getting a little stale, mix things up with these out-of-this-world outer space printable alphabet letters or these super cute cat and dog printable bubble letters. And if you want to make this a repeat activity, consider making each letter it’s own page and putting together a DIY coloring book for your kiddo!
Free Printable Letters for Educational Activities
Having your kids color alphabet letter templates can be a great first step in getting them acquainted with their ABCs, but the educational benefits of printable letter templates don’t end there! Here are some other ways to educate and entertain your kiddos with printable alphabet letters….
Tracing Printable Letters
Okay, this is probably the simplest option after coloring sheets, and it may not be super exciting, but tracing is a great way to help your kiddo not only get familiar with the alphabet but also practice penmanship! Essentially, by tracing the letters your child is developing muscle memory. The same principle applies to learning calligraphy, but more on that later! For tracing, use a heavy/dark free printable letter template, like these bubble letter stencils.
Making Flashcards with Printable Letters
Making flashcards is an OG method for teaching kiddos letters and basic words. Make the exercise more fun by using a more whimsical set of printable alphabet letters like these graffiti bubble letters.
Another way to make this less like learning and more like a game is to award points for correct answers and to allow your kiddo to exchange those points for prizes. Prizes don’t have to be complicated! Consider something simple like extra screen time or sneaky like pumpkin volcanoes, which seem like messy fun, but are actually also educational. 😉
Playing Printable Letters Games
Get two sets of free printable alphabet letters and create your own matching game. Not only will this tactic help your child learn the ABCs, it will also help him or her develop critical thinking and spatial memory skills.
Tip: To avoid confusion, especially with young children who are just getting started, stick with basic (easy to read) alphabets like this simple printable bubble letters alphabet or this basic printable bubble letters.
Another game you can play with printable letter templates is Scrabble. While this will be beyond children who are just learning their ABCs, this is a great game for slightly older kids. It’ll help them develop their reading and spelling skills as well as critical thinking skills! 🙂
A third game, that may require a little more effort, is to make actual puzzles with this puzzle bubble letters alphabet. Print out the letters, cut them apart, and then have your kiddo reassemble individual letters or whole words.
The fun and games (and education) don’t have to end there! Bookmark these free printable letter templates and then do a quick Google search for “alphabet printable games” or “alphabet printable activities.” Trust me, you’ll find hundred of fun and frugal options!
Free Printable Letters for Homemade Gifts
Free printable alphabet letters can be used either as homemade gifts (remember the kid’s bedroom decoration discussed in the craft’s section?) or as accessories to other gifts. Homemade gift ideas include:
- Framing a name (such as a baby’s name) or initials (such as those of a soon-to-be wed couple). If you aren’t going to be confused for Martha Stewart any time soon, pick an alphabet letter template that helps enhance the gift. For example, the teddy bear bubble letters alphabet would work well for a baby shower gift but these fancy bubble letters would probably be more appropriate for a wedding shower gift.
- Using the printable alphabet letters to write an inspirational quote that you then frame and gift. For instance, use this cursive bubble letters alphabet to make a cute quote as a housewarming gift for the friend that just got her own place!
Tip: Don’t hog all the fun! Give your kids their own printable letter templates to decorate and gift to family and friends. 🙂
In addition to being the gift, alphabet letters can be used to add a little something special to other gifts. For example, use these Christmas bubble letters and cute bubble letters to create homemade Christmas cards, printable Christmas tags, or Mason jar gift labels. And this 3D bubble letters alphabet can be used for other occasions (or when you just really want to make a statement)!
Free Printable Letters Hobbies
Printable letter templates can also be used in hobbies such as calligraphy. (If you aren’t familiar with calligraphy, check out this how to write calligraphy article for a quick crash course!) Calligraphy is not only a creative and relaxing hobby, it could also become a side hustle. Get started with the:
- Gothic calligraphy alphabet
- Modern calligraphy alphabet
- Standard (more traditional) calligraphy letters
Free Printable Letters Family Activities
Free printable letter templates can make for fun family activities—especially around the holidays! Jump right in with these 12 printable Santa letter templates complete with fun designs or this free printable Elf on the Shelf letter template.
Bonus: Here are 4 more Santa letter templates to choose from!
Letter writing may seem old time-y but it’s a great way to bring the family together, practice penmanship, and build new relationships. Whether you’re writing to Santa using free printable letter templates, writing a thank you note to Grandma, or reaching out to a new pen pal, this is an enjoyable, educational, and mostly free (except the stamp!) way to spend time.
Free Printable Letters For Organization
There are free printable letter templates that can help with organization. For example, these teacher welcome letter templates are great for keeping teachers and parents on the same page. Psst! While not technically a printable letter other printables, like this daily planner, can also help with organization.
Free printable alphabet letters can also be organizational tools. I know, what can’t they do, right? Use any of the templates on this page or these 18 free printable bubble letter templates to create labels that range from cute to classy.
Free Printable Letters Numbers
And as cool as all of these free printable alphabet letters and printable letter templates are, I haven’t forgotten about printable bubble numbers! Bubble letter numbers can be used in nearly all the same ways as the alphabet, from crafts to learning, so be sure to snag a set and keep it handy. 🙂