Fun Ways to Teach Prepositions to Boost Language Skills

Understanding prepositions is a foundational language skill that enables children to describe spatial relationships and follow instructions more effectively.

Typically, children start picking up simple prepositions between ages 2 and 3, with concepts like “in,” “on,” and “under” emerging first (Say and Play Family, 2014).

Developing this understanding is crucial because prepositions allow children to communicate spatial relationships clearly and are key for learning how to follow multi-step directions.

In this post, we'll cover fun, hands-on ways to introduce and reinforce prepositions with young children, featuring engaging activities and games you can do with preposition picture cards.

Preposition cards can be incorporated into a variety of games.

Try these Preposition Picture Cards on Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers for colorful preposition cards to practice these skills!

Table of Contents

• Why Prepositions Matter in Early Language Development

• The Importance of Teaching Prepositions

• Fun, Hands-On Ways to Teach Prepositions

  • Preposition Picture Card Activities

  • Sensory Bin Adventure

  • The Fly Swatter Game

  • Preposition Memory Game

  • Preposition Treasure Hunt

• Tips for Reinforcing Prepositions in Daily Routines

• Conclusion

• References

The Importance of Teaching Prepositions

Prepositions are integral to effective communication, helping children understand where objects and people are in relation to one another. According to research, spatial language skills, including prepositions, are linked to better problem-solving abilities and academic success in later years (Alt et al., 2014). When children understand and use prepositions, they’re better able to follow instructions, understand safety rules, and interact appropriately in social settings.

Teaching prepositions is important because when children understand and use prepositions, they’re better able to follow instructions and communicate ideas.

Mastering these skills also builds confidence in communication, which is beneficial for classroom learning and daily routines. Here are some engaging ways to practice prepositions with children, featuring interactive games and my preposition picture cards that provide themed visuals for added fun.

Fun, Hands-On Ways to Teach Prepositions

A. Preposition Picture Card Activities

Using my themed preposition picture cards, here are some interactive ways to introduce and practice prepositions with young learners.

• Flashcard Race: Spread out the cards and call out a preposition like "under the table" or "next to the chair." Children race to locate the correct card as fast as possible. This helps reinforce both listening skills and prepositional recognition.

  
  

• Match the Scene: Set up a small scene using toys (e.g., a dollhouse, animal figurines, or building blocks). The child picks a card and positions the toys accordingly, like placing a toy "on top" of a box or "inside" a container. This encourages children to visualize and act out prepositions.

  
  

• Sorting Game: Have children sort the picture cards by preposition type. For example, they can separate all the "on" cards from the "under" and "beside" cards. This game builds categorization skills, a helpful tool in language development.

Teaching prepositions with a sensory table is a great way to make learning fun and motivating.

B. Sensory Bin Fun

Adding sensory play to preposition practice makes learning more engaging:

• Draw-and-Find Preposition Game: Fill a sensory bin with materials like rice, sand, or water beads and small toys or objects. Have children draw a card with a preposition and a small container, like a box or jar. They search the bin for an item and demonstrate the preposition with the item and container (e.g., placing the toy "inside" the box or "under" a cloth). This tactile and visual experience reinforces abstract concepts.

  
  

• Preposition Relay: Set up different stations around the sensory bin. Children draw a card and perform the action at each station, such as “place the toy beside the bin” or “put your hand under the rice.” This combines movement with sensory play, strengthening comprehension and retention.

  
  

C. The Fly Swatter Game

Add anticipation to any learning activity by letting kids draw from the bag—simple yet effective for keeping them engaged.

The fly swatter game is a quick-paced, interactive way to reinforce prepositions:

• Setup: Spread the preposition cards on a table or floor. Call out a preposition, and children use a fly swatter to “swat” the correct card as quickly as possible. This fast action enhances quick thinking and fine motor skills.

• Speed Round: Challenge kids with two-part directions, like “swat the cards showing ‘under’ and ‘next to’.”

• Team Play: In group settings, children can take turns as you call out prepositions. Adding a playful competition element often keeps them engaged and reinforces repeated practice.

  
  

D. Preposition Memory Game

A memory game with preposition picture cards provides extra practice in a fun format:

• Setup: Place cards face down in rows. Children take turns flipping two cards over, aiming to match cards that show the same preposition, like “on” or “next to.”

  
  

• Challenge Variation: Make this game harder by matching prepositions with the corresponding prepositional phrase cards or finding pairs that show complementary prepositional actions (e.g., “on top of” paired with “under”). Memory games encourage concentration, visual recall, and familiarity with prepositional concepts.

  
  

E. Preposition Treasure Hunt

For a fun game, hide an object in the room, and use prepositions to provide clues, like “Look under the bed”.

Turn prepositions into an adventure with a treasure hunt-style game:

• Setup: Hide toys or themed items around the room, and use prepositions to provide clues, like “Look beside the table” or “Find the toy under the couch.”

  
  

• Role Reversal: Once children are comfortable, let them give instructions on where to find hidden objects, helping build expressive language skills as they use prepositions to describe locations.

  
  

• Using a child's favorite toys, like animals, unicorns, or popular characters (e.g., Pokémon), is an incredibly motivating and effective way to work on prepositions. By using toys that naturally capture their interest, children become more engaged, which can boost learning and retention. Here’s how to approach this in both naturalistic and structured ways:

  
  

  Naturalistic Play with Prepositions

  In naturalistic play, you simply model language without any strict structure, allowing the child to see and hear prepositions used in context. For example, say, “My unicorn is

  
  

  

  A childs favorite toys can be used to either model prepositions or create a more structured game.

  
  

  going on top of the rainbow!” or “The lion is hiding under the bridge!” This casual, playful language models prepositions within a natural context, helping children learn through immersion without feeling like they’re doing a “lesson.”

  
  

  Naturalistic play can also allow for the child to spontaneously practice prepositions. When they copy you or place their toy in a different position, you can add commentary that reinforces their actions, like, “Oh, you put Pikachu beside the tree! What else can we put beside it?” This back-and-forth promotes both expressive and receptive language in a relaxed, low-pressure setting.

  
  

  Structured Play with Preposition Cards

  
  

  

  Doll houses are an easy fun way to teach or practice prepositions.

  
  

  If your goal is a more structured activity, try using preposition cards and taking turns

  with the child. For each turn, draw a card with a specific preposition, like “in,” “under,” or “on top.” Then, take turns placing the toys according to the preposition on the card, saying sentences like, “My girl is going under the bed” or “Your dragon can sit next to the tower.” This introduces prepositions in a predictable format while allowing the child to learn through observation, repetition, and practice.

  
  

  This method combines structured practice with the child’s natural interests, which research suggests can help increase motivation and promote generalization of skills.

  
  

  Children often find it easier to understand and use language concepts like prepositions when they have practiced them with familiar, beloved objects.

  
  

  Silly Scenarios with Play Food for Receptive and Expressive Language

  Adding some play food to the mix can create a fun twist. Kids enjoy the humor of silly commands, like “Put the cupcake under the bed!” or “My eggs are going on top of the couch!” This approach can reinforce receptive language as the child listens and acts on your directions, and it also lets them practice expressive language if they describe where they put their items.

  
  

  Encouraging them to switch between understanding directions (receptive) and giving directions (expressive) with silly prompts also helps them generalize prepositional concepts. Generalization, or the ability to apply a learned skill across different contexts, is a key goal in language development.

  
  

  Why This Approach Works

  Using a child's favorite toys and interests can increase their intrinsic motivation to participate, making language practice feel like play rather than a task. This method also enhances generalization since children learn prepositions in different, flexible contexts.

  
  

  By practicing with diverse toys, they’re more likely to apply the same prepositions in everyday settings, from understanding “under” when looking for a lost item to following directions at school.

  
  

  Incorporating toys and favorite activities makes learning engaging, and as children grow comfortable using these prepositions during play, they’ll carry those skills over into other parts of their lives naturally and confidently.

  
  

Tips for Reinforcing Prepositions in Daily Routines

Teaching prepositions can easily extend into daily routines, providing ongoing opportunities to reinforce learning:

• Routine Directions: During cleanup, give specific instructions like “Put the blocks in the box” or “Place the cup on the table.” Use varied instructions once children begin to understand prepositions in context to check for mastery (e.g., "Put the book under the table").

  
  

• Storytime and Picture Books: Books with illustrations offer natural examples of prepositions. Ask questions like “Where is the cat?” to encourage children to answer with prepositions, such as “under the table” or “next to the chair.”

  
  

• Follow-the-Leader: This physical game works well indoors or outdoors. Give directions involving prepositions, like “Jump over the line” or “Stand beside the tree.” Physical movement helps reinforce concept recall and spatial awareness.

  
  

Conclusion

Understanding prepositions is a foundational language skill, helping children make sense of spatial relationships and follow instructions effectively. Through interactive games, sensory bin play, and themed preposition picture cards, children have countless opportunities to practice and master these important words. By making learning fun and hands-on, we help children remember and apply prepositions confidently in their daily lives.

References

• Alt, M., Meyers, C., Ogilvie, T., & Arizmendi, G. (2014). Cross-situational statistically based word learning intervention for late-talking toddlers. Journal of Communication Disorders, 52, 207–220.

• Say and Play Family. (2014). Language Development Milestones: Prepositions. Retrieved from https://sayandplayfamily.com