Words & picture cards
Everyday objects picture cards
Familiar home objects with British and American labels, ready for pointing, naming and “what do we use it for?” games.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Picture cards · Free printable
School and nursery objects
Recognising a few everyday classroom objects can make a school-themed conversation more concrete. Look at the pictures together, talk about what each object does and compare them with the things your child actually uses. Your nursery or school may use different words or equipment, and that is fine.
Take a little peek8 items · Original illustrations
pencil
book
rubber
backpack
crayon
sharpener
Big clear pictures. Labels you can reveal.
Inside the printable
First page shown. The download includes the complete activity and grown-up guidance.
What we’re exploring
Build vocabulary for familiar learning materials and describe what they are used for.
A little way to play
- Choose a small set and name the objects. Invite your child to tell you which ones they have used.
- Give a clue such as “We can draw with this.” More than one picture may fit, so discuss the choice.
- Hide labels for a guessing turn, then show them to check. Switch British or American vocabulary if helpful.
- Ask what you might put in a bag for a pretend day. Let the child choose and explain.
Make it easier
Use a real book and its picture, then a real crayon and its picture. Match one object at a time without requiring a spoken answer.
Try a little moreCompare tools with similar uses: a pencil and a crayon both make marks, but what differences can you notice? Make a simple spoken packing list.
For the grown-up
A rubber is commonly called an eraser in American English. “Bag” and “backpack” may both fit the illustration. An adult handles sharpeners and checks any real objects used for the activity.
Answers & naming help
The cards show pencil, book, rubber/eraser, backpack, crayon, sharpener, cup and chair. Drawing clues can have multiple correct answers; for example, both a pencil and a crayon can make a picture.
pencil · book · rubber / eraser · backpack · crayon · sharpener · cup · chair
How do I print this?
Choose your vocabulary and paper size, then download the PDF. Print at actual size or 100%. Use the low-ink option for outline activities; colour-name cards still need their colour to teach the word. Cut-and-stack mini-books are available in the flashcard maker.
Helpful parent guides
Keep the discoveries going.
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