Top 16 Literacy Activities for Early Years & Free Activity Pack
Supporting your child’s language development doesn’t need to feel like ‘school at home’. The best literacy activities for early years are playful, hands-on and easy to weave into everyday life. From storytelling to singing and mark-making, small moments really do add up.
At My Ohana, we see every day how strong early literacy skills help children grow in confidence, communication and curiosity. Whether your child attends nursery or you’re supporting learning at home, these activities are designed to fit naturally into family life.
Keep reading to discover 16 literacy activities for early years …
What is Literacy in Early Years?
In the early years, literacy is about much more than reading and writing.
It includes listening, understanding, speaking, storytelling, mark-making and developing a love of books and language. These early literacy activities help children make sense of the world around them and build the foundations for future learning.
Through everyday interactions – chatting, singing, sharing stories and playing – children begin to understand how language works and how they can use it to express themselves.
16 Literacy Activities for Early Years
1. Share a Story Every Day
Reading together is one of the most powerful early literacy activities you can do. Talk about the pictures, ask questions and let your child turn the pages.
It’s not about finishing the book – it’s about enjoying it together. Regular story time also helps children develop concentration and a positive relationship with books from an early age.
2. Sing Nursery Rhymes and Action Songs
Nursery rhymes help children hear patterns in language and develop rhythm and memory. Add actions to support understanding and make it even more fun.
Repetition is key here – children love hearing the same rhymes again and again, which helps build confidence and language skills.
3. Name the World Around You
Chat about what you see when you’re out and about.
Naming objects, colours and actions builds vocabulary and confidence with language. These everyday conversations are a simple but effective way to support literacy activities for children without any preparation.
4. Make Marks in Different Ways
Early writing starts with mark-making.
Encourage your child to draw, scribble or paint using crayons, chalk, water brushes or even fingers in sand. This helps develop fine motor skills as well as early understanding that marks and symbols carry meaning.
5. Create a Cosy Reading Corner
A quiet, inviting space with books within easy reach encourages children to explore stories independently and develop a love of reading.
Let your child choose which books go there so it feels like their own special space.
6. Play ‘I Spy’
‘I spy’ is a brilliant listening and phonics-based game. You can adapt it for younger children by focusing on colours or sounds. It’s perfect for car journeys, walks or waiting times when you need a quick, engaging activity.
7. Tell Stories Together
Make up stories using toys, puppets or everyday objects. This supports imagination, sentence building and listening skills.
You can take turns adding parts to the story to gently encourage turn-taking and communication.
8. Talk About Your Day
Chatting about what’s happened helps children understand sequencing and storytelling – key parts of literacy activities for children. Simple questions like “What did you enjoy most?” encourage children to reflect and express themselves.
9. Explore Books Beyond Stories
Non-fiction books, lift-the-flap books and sensory books all count. They encourage curiosity and different ways of engaging with text. These types of books are especially helpful for children who prefer learning through facts or hands-on exploration.
10. Use Songs and Stories at Bedtime
A familiar bedtime routine with stories or songs helps children associate literacy with comfort, calm and connection. This gentle approach supports emotional wellbeing alongside early language development.
11. Encourage Role Play
Role play – such as playing shops or families – naturally includes conversation, new vocabulary and storytelling.
It also helps children practise social language, like taking turns and expressing needs.
12. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Questions like “What do you think will happen next?” encourage children to think, predict and use language creatively. There’s no right or wrong answer – it’s about building confidence in expressing ideas.
13. Listen to Audio Stories
Audiobooks and story podcasts support listening skills and comprehension, especially for children who love stories but find sitting still tricky. Listening to stories also helps expand vocabulary and imagination.
14. Read Signs and Labels Together
Point out words on packaging, road signs or shop fronts. This shows children that literacy is part of everyday life and helps them make real-world connections with language.
15. Let Children ‘Write’ Their Name
Even if it’s just marks or letter-like shapes, practising name writing builds confidence and early writing skills. Praise the effort rather than the result to keep it positive and pressure-free.
16. Follow Your Child’s Interests
Whether it’s dinosaurs, vehicles or fairy tales, choosing books and activities around their interests makes literacy activities for preschoolers more engaging and meaningful. Children are far more likely to join in when the topic excites them.
Free Early Literacy Activity Pack
Want to support your child’s early literacy at home?
We’ve created a free Early Literacy Activity Pack filled with simple, play-based ideas you can enjoy together at home. Designed for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, the pack includes age-appropriate activities, storytelling prompts and practical tips to help build confidence with language – all without pressure.
Download your free copy and explore easy ways to support your child’s communication and love of learning, every day.
Supporting Early Literacy at My Ohana
At My Ohana, we support children’s communication and language development through play-based learning, stories, songs and meaningful interactions every day. Our experienced practitioners gently nurture early reading and writing skills in a way that feels natural, inclusive and child-led.
If you’d like to explore this further, you may find our blogs on Why Early Years Education is Important and Key Benefits of Nursery for Your Child's Development helpful, as they look in more detail at how high-quality early education supports long-term development.
Thinking About Nursery for Your Child?
If you’re considering nursery care and would like to know how we support literacy and learning from the very start, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with your local My Ohana nursery to arrange a visit or speak to our team about availability and enrolment.
Literacy Activities for Early Years: FAQs
What are literacy activities for early years?
Literacy activities for early years are play-based experiences that help children develop listening, speaking, reading and early writing skills. This can include sharing stories, singing songs, mark-making, role play and everyday conversations.
Why are early literacy activities important?
Early literacy activities support communication, confidence and understanding. They help children build the foundations they need for reading and writing later on, while also supporting social and emotional development.
What age should children start literacy activities?
Literacy development begins from birth. Simple activities such as talking, singing and sharing books are suitable for babies, while toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy more interactive literacy activities for preschoolers like storytelling and mark-making.
How can I support literacy at home?
You can support literacy at home by reading together daily, talking about your day, singing nursery rhymes and encouraging drawing or writing through play. Keeping activities relaxed and fun is key.
How does nursery support early literacy?
At nursery, children are supported by trained practitioners who encourage language development through stories, songs, small group activities and play-based learning. This consistent support helps children build confidence and a love of language.
Do children need to learn to read before starting school?
No – children don’t need to read before starting school. The focus in the early years is on building strong communication skills, listening, understanding and enjoyment of books, which naturally prepares them for reading when they’re ready.
At My Ohana, we believe every child thrives when they’re given the time, space and encouragement to explore language in their own way. Through stories, songs, conversation and play, early literacy becomes something children enjoy, not something they feel pressured by.
Across our nurseries, children are supported through hands-on, child-led learning experiences that nurture communication, confidence and a lifelong love of books and language.
Book a tour at your nearest My Ohana nursery and discover how we support every child’s development through creativity, curiosity and play.
