Guest Author - Diane Claus

File Folder Games are a fun learning tool for preschool children and they are very simple to make! The basic items needed are:

Letter Size File Folders that are really inexpensive
Clear Contact Paper (this is also inexpensive) or a lamination machine
Velcro
Glue
Scissors
Crayons or markers (optional depending on what you are making)
Shapes, letters, numbers, etc. for the game you are creating

The folders can be made into simple matching games starting with shapes. To make one for shapes, find pictures of basic shapes and make 2 copies of it. (Please see the link for my FREE patterns at the end of this article with printables for file folder games with a Valentine's Day Theme!) Glue one set of shapes into the file folder. Before putting the contact paper on or laminating, add a title to the front cover so the child will know which one he/she is using. Fit the contact paper over the folder to protect it. I recommend doing this to both sides. Place a small amount of Velcro over each shape. Make sure it isn’t too big so the picture can’t be seen. Then on the copies of the shapes, put contact paper on them for protection and add a small piece of Velcro to the back. To store the shapes when not in use, you can either glue an envelope to the front or back of the folder or put the shapes in an envelope and attach it to the folder with a paper clip. Paper clips may pose a choking hazard to younger child so use your own judgment as to which method is best in your environment.

There are many ideas out there for file folder games. Some websites will charge you for the use of their ideas. But I have created some ideas for you for FREE. To download the Microsoft Word File click here. Searching for clipart on the web is a good way to find your own pictures and patterns as well if you don't like the ones I have provided.

I am making it a Word file so you can manipulate the images after you download them. You can make the pictures bigger or smaller. Do what ever you wish. It is free.