Unique Children’s Flashcards To Help Boost Learning
by Lindsay Barrett
When we think of flashcards for kids, we often first think of math flashcards; in my household, third grade means constant multiplication facts practice! However, plenty of other gorgeous and informative flashcard sets are perfect for catering to kids’ interests, building knowledge, and offering bite-sized chances to practice informational reading. (Plus, their handy size makes them ideal for small gifts or tucking into a travel bag.) Here are several flashcard options for kids to check out — and suggestions for enjoying them.
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My First Touch and Feel Picture Cards: Colors and Shapes
Available from:Think of this set as a board book for wiggly kids not interested in sitting still to read. These chunky, textured cards can withstand sticky little hands carrying them everywhere. Ask a toddler to bring you “the duck” or “the door.” As they learn colors and shapes, ask for “something yellow” or “the rectangle.” For extra giggles, hide a card underneath something and then dramatically produce it. Have kiddos give cards to different people in the room or to various toys or stuffed animals. As a bonus, each card has a list of prompts for caregivers on the back to encourage conversation and language-building. Also, check out companion sets featuring first words, numbers and counting, farm words, animals, and transportation words.
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The World of Eric Carle First Words Flashcards
Available from:Truly, there’s never enough Eric Carle artwork in the world — or on your bookshelf. These adorable flashcards with pictures feature his classic illustrations (iconic caterpillar included) and words in clear, lowercase letters. The variety of cards gives this set long-lasting appeal. You might hide a few cards around the playroom and challenge kiddos to find each one. Or, play “guess my card” by giving clues. The reverse side of each card features just the word, so when kids start to learn about blending letter sounds to read words, pull out the simplest consonant-vowel-consonant cards, like “red,” “sun,” and “bus,” and show them how to read them with no picture clues.
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My First Dinosaur Flash Cards
Available from:This set is a must-own for any preschool or kindergarten child fascinated by dinosaurs. The front of each oversized card shows a realistic illustration of a prehistoric creature — including new-to-you species — with labels highlighting its notable features. The reverse of each card contains bulleted information and compelling questions to consider. Enjoy mulling over a few cards instead of a bedtime book on rushed nights (because, come on, some of those nonfiction dinosaur titles are LONG!) or while waiting in the doctor’s office. As kids learn to read, they can enjoy these cards independently; they’re invaluable for practicing reading multisyllabic words.
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Breathe Like a Bear Mindfulness Cards
Available from:These sturdy cards blur the line between flashcards for kids and activity cards. Still, no matter what you call them, they are excellent for teaching children how to use mindful breathing for different purposes. The front of each sturdy card has a charming illustration for breathing exercises, from “Owl Breath” to “Scrunch and Let Go.” The back of each card has directions to read aloud. The cards are even color-coded at the top with categories like “Calm,” “Focus,” and “Energy.” A must-buy for home or early childhood classroom.
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Professor Astro Cat’s Outer Space Flash Cards
Available from:Kids can test and add to their background knowledge about space with multiple choice and open-ended “Question” and “True or False?” cards. The answers are straightforward enough for kids to understand without talking down to budding scientists. Bring these along on road trips, or pull them out to switch up the conversation at the family dinner table.
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Spanish for Everyone Junior First Words Flash Cards
Available from:Flash cards with pictures are an inexpensive and useful language-learning tool for children. Share this set with kids to teach and practice saying and reading common Spanish words. Once children become familiar with the vocabulary, re-use the cards for guessing games, sorting into related categories, or combining cards to inspire silly sentences. The box also includes extra cards with additional activity suggestions. Also, check out similar sets with French, German, and Italian words.
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English for Everyone Junior Sight Words Flash Cards
Available from:All kids learn to read and spell common words as they build literacy skills, but understanding the meaning and correct usage of those words is also important. This set of flashcards for kids goes a step further than traditional sight word flashcards, with an isolated word on one side of each card and the word in an illustrated sentence on the other. Bonus cards include usage ideas.
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Our World In Pictures Animals of the World Flash Cards
Available from:When your growing reader is ready for more information, these fact-packed flashcards offer many opportunities. Kids can quiz themselves or others on animals’ Latin names, sizes, key features, and more. The cards also lend themselves to sorting animals by class, native habitat, or endangered status. Children with other interests should look at sets about rocks & minerals, the elements, trees, the human body, and dinosaurs from the same series.
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Sibley Backyard Birding Flashcards, Revised and Updated
Available from:Who says flashcards are just for kids? My bird-loving grandmother would have adored referring to this artful set. Designed with bird images and key visual details on the front and species names and information on the back, these are equally fun for quiz games or traditional browsing. Reading and talking about the physical and song descriptions and habitat information will be excellent for boosting kids’ academic vocabulary, and they can practice using maps to determine each bird’s home territory. The box also includes a checklist for keeping track of birds you’ve spotted. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy similar sets featuring trees, wildflowers, herbs, and mushrooms.
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