Here are ideas to inspire your ‘Letter Z’ alphabet box. Alphabet Boxes can be a fun part of a toy rotation, sensory exploration, and language learning. Check out the main alphabet box article for how they work.
Letter Z
e.g., letters that can be felt from an alphabet puzzle, sandpaper letters, etc.
2-piece jigsaw puzzle (one side is the letter, the other is a picture of something that starts with the letter)
People starting with Z
Also, people in the child’s life that have a name starting with Z (such as Zara or Zed).
Animals starting with Z
e.g., Zebra, Zebra finch, Zebra fish, zooplankton, Zebu, and other animals that are not commonly known such as a zorro (South American animal “related to wolves and coyotes”8) … 1, 5
Transportation starting with Z
e.g., zeppelin, …5
Plants and food starting with Z
(These are often more to show/ point out under supervision or use as part of a meal, e.g., because some are small and thus a choking hazard in their natural form, or because they make a mess; but sometimes there are toy versions).
e.g., Zatar, Zucchini, Zander (a type of fish), zest, Zwieback (a type of bread), …2,3,5
Nutrient labels might include zinc5
Clothes starting with Z
e.g., anything with a zipper, zip-off pants, …4, 5, 7
Toy tools starting with Z
e.g., zip ties, …5
Musical instruments starting with Z
e.g. zither, and some not well-known instruments such as a zurna, .. 5
Body parts starting with Z
e.g., zit (not really a body part, but can sometimes be found on some bodies)… 5
Numbers starting with Z
e.g., zero… 5 (and zillion and zilch, if you use these words)9
Things from around the house starting with Z
(Not all of them are suitable/safe to be put into a box. Some are just to point out.)
e.g., zip-lock bag, zester, … 5, 6,
Other toys with Z
e.g., zoo, zip line, …5.
Other ideas for Z
Using a picture or pointing it out outside: e.g. a zone (such as a no parking zone), zenith, zirconium, and anything with a zigzag shape … 5. 6. Also, if you see somebody being zealous.9
References
1 Animals that start with Z https://a-z-animals.com/animals/animals-that-start-with-z/ (last checked Dec 4, 2023)
2 The Spruce. Plants A to Z. https://www.thespruce.com/plants-a-to-z-5116344 (last checked Nov 17, 2023)
3 The Food Coach. Healthy Food Database. https://www.thefoodcoach.com.au/food/?Alpha=Z (last checked Dec 4, 2023)
4 Desment, L. (2022) Clothing That Starts With Each Letter: 291 Garments from A to Z https://wisforwebsite.com/clothing-that-starts-with/ (last checked Nov 17, 2023)
5 Inspire the mom. 100+ objects that start with Z. https://www.inspirethemom.com/100-objects-that-start-with-z/(last checked Dec 4, 2023)
6 Word Schools. List Of Tools That Start With A To Z – Tools Vocabulary https://wordschools.com/tools-that-start-with-a-to-z/(last checked Nov 17, 2023)
7 Enchanted Learning. Clothes vocabulary list https://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/clothes.shtml (last checked Nov 17, 2023)
8 Hance, J. (2012) Animal picture of the day: the gray zorro https://news.mongabay.com/2012/04/animal-picture-of-the-day-the-gray-zorro/ (last checked Dec 4, 2023)
9 Dictionary: Words that start with z https://www.dictionary.com/e/word-finder/words-that-start-with-z/ (last checked Dec 4)