17 Letter J Activities for Preschoolers
Letter J activities felt like a turning point for us when we first started working through the alphabet.
Something about jelly beans, jaguars, and jumping games just clicked. My son was suddenly more engaged, and the mix of hands-on learning and movement made it all stick.
This collection includes the letter worksheets, crafts, and simple activities we kept coming back to, all focused on reinforcing the letter J in fun, low-prep ways.
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Letter J Printables, Crafts & Hands-On Ideas for Preschool
Once we started collecting activities for each letter, I found that having a mix of worksheets, crafts, and simple sensory ideas helped the learning stick.
Below you’ll find some of the most engaging Letter J activities we’ve used or bookmarked, great for preschool and pre-K kids who learn best through variety.
Letter J Coloring Page
This printable was one of the easiest ways for us to reinforce the letter J without needing much prep. My son enjoyed starting the day with a coloring sheet while I gathered materials for our other activities. It gave him a sense of focus and familiarity, especially helpful in the early preschool years. The coloring page highlights the uppercase J in a bold, simple font, making it great for kids still working on pencil grip and letter recognition. You can pair it with a “J hunt” around the house, asking your child to find items that start with the same sound, or turn it into a rainbow coloring challenge to stretch the activity out a bit longer.
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J is for Jellyfish Handprint
This handprint jellyfish craft was an instant hit. We used bright-colored paint, construction paper, and googly eyes to turn a simple handprint into a jellyfish that actually looked adorable. Leaving the thumb paint-free gives the jellyfish shape a curved look that fits perfectly with the “J” sound. This craft doesn’t just reinforce the letter, it helps with scissor skills, hand-eye coordination, and following simple instructions. We hung our jellyfish up on the wall as part of an “ocean alphabet” display. If your kids are sensory-seeking, this activity adds that fun messy element without being overwhelming.
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https://homeschoolpreschool.net/
Letter J Color By Letter Printable
Color by letter pages are great for mixing literacy and fine motor skills, and this one focuses entirely on the letter J. Kids identify both uppercase and lowercase Js by matching letters to colors, helping them practice letter recognition in a slightly more independent way.
We’ve used it with markers, crayons, and even dot stickers to change things up. If your child struggles with sitting still during worksheet time, this type of printable offers enough variety to keep their attention. It also works well in small group settings or as a quiet-time activity during a busy preschool day.
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We’ve used it with markers, crayons, and even dot stickers to change things up. If your child struggles with sitting still during worksheet time, this type of printable offers enough variety to keep their attention. It also works well in small group settings or as a quiet-time activity during a busy preschool day.
https://3boysandadog.com/
Find the Letter J is for Jellybeans Worksheet
This visual search worksheet blends the excitement of jellybeans with a focus on spotting the letter J in different fonts and sizes. It’s especially helpful for early learners who are just starting to distinguish similar letters.
We used it as part of a sensory bin setup, placing real jellybeans or colorful counters on each letter J as we found them. It worked well for letter recognition and gave my son a sense of accomplishment as the page filled up. This worksheet could easily be laminated for reuse, or paired with a jellybean counting activity for extra cross-skill practice.
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We used it as part of a sensory bin setup, placing real jellybeans or colorful counters on each letter J as we found them. It worked well for letter recognition and gave my son a sense of accomplishment as the page filled up. This worksheet could easily be laminated for reuse, or paired with a jellybean counting activity for extra cross-skill practice.
https://www.theartkitblog.com/
Letter J is for Jellybeans Coloring Page
This cheerful, spring-themed coloring page is centered around jellybeans, making it a fun, seasonal way to explore the letter J. My son liked choosing his own color scheme and then naming other foods or objects that started with J while he colored. It’s a simple worksheet, but it opens up space for conversation about colors, food, and even holiday traditions.
I like to include themed coloring pages like this in a letter-of-the-week binder so we can look back at everything we’ve worked on. This one fits well with both spring and Easter themes, but it’s versatile enough for any time of year.
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I like to include themed coloring pages like this in a letter-of-the-week binder so we can look back at everything we’ve worked on. This one fits well with both spring and Easter themes, but it’s versatile enough for any time of year.
https://homeschoolpreschool.net/
J is for Juice Craft
This craft turns the letter J into a colorful cup of juice, perfect for reinforcing the sound and shape of the letter while also adding a bit of pretend play. My son enjoyed using tissue paper and markers to decorate his “juice,” and we even added a real straw for fun.
It’s a low-mess craft that’s easy to prep and works well with a health or food unit. While making the craft, we talked about different kinds of juice and brainstormed words that started with J. This activity blends creativity with phonics and can be saved in a letter portfolio or used as a classroom display.
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It’s a low-mess craft that’s easy to prep and works well with a health or food unit. While making the craft, we talked about different kinds of juice and brainstormed words that started with J. This activity blends creativity with phonics and can be saved in a letter portfolio or used as a classroom display.
https://confidencemeetsparenting.com/
J is for Jello
This Jello sensory bin is one of the messier Letter J activities, but it’s also one of the most fun. We made a few batches in different colors and filled a bin with spoons, cups, and small scoops.
My son explored texture, color, and sound while digging through the wobbly mixture, and of course, some tasting was involved too. If you’re looking for a multi-sensory way to reinforce the letter J, this activity offers tactile engagement that’s hard to beat. Pro tip: do it outside or on a tray for easier cleanup.
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My son explored texture, color, and sound while digging through the wobbly mixture, and of course, some tasting was involved too. If you’re looking for a multi-sensory way to reinforce the letter J, this activity offers tactile engagement that’s hard to beat. Pro tip: do it outside or on a tray for easier cleanup.
https://crystalandcomp.com/
J is for Jelly Fish
This jellyfish craft uses simple materials like construction paper and yarn to help preschoolers explore both letter recognition and marine life. It’s an easy one to set up and ideal for younger kids still working on scissor skills or basic cutting.
My son liked making his jellyfish “float” by waving it around once it was finished. This project pairs well with any ocean-themed book or lesson and offers a nice balance of creativity and early literacy.
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My son liked making his jellyfish “float” by waving it around once it was finished. This project pairs well with any ocean-themed book or lesson and offers a nice balance of creativity and early literacy.
https://3boysandadog.com/
J is for Jaguar Worksheets
These worksheets are a great way to branch out beyond jellyfish and jellybeans while still sticking with the letter J theme. Focused on the word “jaguar,” the set includes uppercase and lowercase tracing and early phonics work.
It’s a nice fit for animal lovers and can be tied into a jungle or wild animal theme. My son liked comparing jaguars to other big cats, which gave us an opportunity to sneak in some early science alongside our letter work.
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It’s a nice fit for animal lovers and can be tied into a jungle or wild animal theme. My son liked comparing jaguars to other big cats, which gave us an opportunity to sneak in some early science alongside our letter work.
https://www.redtedart.com/
J for Jellyfish Handprint Craft
This version of the jellyfish handprint craft adds a bit more structure and humor, especially with the note about keeping the thumb paint-free to get the perfect jellyfish shape. The step-by-step breakdown makes it super easy to follow, and the final product looks great whether you use paint, construction paper, or even felt.
It’s one of those crafts that works well for multiple age groups and makes a sweet keepsake. My son loved comparing his jellyfish to mine, we even turned it into a little art gallery at home.
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It’s one of those crafts that works well for multiple age groups and makes a sweet keepsake. My son loved comparing his jellyfish to mine, we even turned it into a little art gallery at home.
https://homeschoolpreschool.net/
Letter J Tracing Worksheets
These tracing worksheets are ideal for introducing proper letter formation and helping preschoolers get comfortable with pencil control. Each page gives space to trace both uppercase and lowercase J, often paired with images or simple words that reinforce the sound.
We used these as part of our morning routine, and I noticed it helped build his writing confidence over time. You can laminate the sheets or use dry erase pockets to make them reusable. These are especially helpful if you’re just getting started with handwriting practice or building a daily alphabet routine.
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We used these as part of our morning routine, and I noticed it helped build his writing confidence over time. You can laminate the sheets or use dry erase pockets to make them reusable. These are especially helpful if you’re just getting started with handwriting practice or building a daily alphabet routine.
https://3boysandadog.com/
J is for Jersey Cow
This letter recognition worksheet ties the letter J to a farm theme by focusing on “Jersey Cow.” Kids are asked to find and circle (or color) the letter J among a mix of other letters. It’s a simple activity, but surprisingly effective for visual scanning and early literacy skills.
We used small stickers instead of crayons to mark each J, which added a fun twist and built fine motor skills at the same time. If you’re working through a farm unit or just want to vary your Letter J exposure, this is a creative way to do it.
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We used small stickers instead of crayons to mark each J, which added a fun twist and built fine motor skills at the same time. If you’re working through a farm unit or just want to vary your Letter J exposure, this is a creative way to do it.
Letter J Activity: Jellybean Stain
This one’s a bit different—and messy in the best way. Kids use actual jellybeans to “stain” paper, which turns into a colorful art project while reinforcing the shape and sound of the letter J.
You can crush the jellybeans in warm water to create a sort of natural dye, then paint or stamp with it. My son loved watching the colors bleed across the paper and trying to guess which flavor left each stain. It’s part art, part science, and a totally unique way to keep kids engaged with letter learning.
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You can crush the jellybeans in warm water to create a sort of natural dye, then paint or stamp with it. My son loved watching the colors bleed across the paper and trying to guess which flavor left each stain. It’s part art, part science, and a totally unique way to keep kids engaged with letter learning.
https://3boysandadog.com/
Free Letter J Story Printable Packet!
This printable packet centers around the short story Jenny’s Joyful Journey and includes coloring pages, handwriting practice, and early phonics worksheets. It’s a well-rounded option for days when you want to extend your Letter J work into reading and storytelling.
My favorite part was the mix of learning styles, kids can listen, trace, color, and write all within one themed activity. If your child enjoys stories or needs something a little more structured than crafts, this packet is a great fit for ages 4–6.
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My favorite part was the mix of learning styles, kids can listen, trace, color, and write all within one themed activity. If your child enjoys stories or needs something a little more structured than crafts, this packet is a great fit for ages 4–6.
https://www.funwithmama.com/
Free Letter J Worksheets
This set includes several worksheet styles—tracing, coloring, matching, and beginning sound activities, all focused on the letter J. It’s great for reinforcing early literacy skills in a more traditional format, but still visually engaging and age-appropriate. We used these pages throughout the week as part of a letter review folder, and they worked well when we needed a quick, independent task.
If you’re teaching multiple kids or want to build a consistent alphabet routine, these pages are easy to print and organize by skill or focus area.
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If you’re teaching multiple kids or want to build a consistent alphabet routine, these pages are easy to print and organize by skill or focus area.
Jump!
This high-energy, rhyming book is all about surprise jumps, from frogs to dogs to cats and more. It’s a great read-aloud for getting wiggles out while reinforcing the “J” sound with every bounce.
We liked using this one right before our jumping game, it set the tone and got my son giggling. If you’re looking to balance quiet story time with active play, this book is an easy win.
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We liked using this one right before our jumping game, it set the tone and got my son giggling. If you’re looking to balance quiet story time with active play, this book is an easy win.
Jack and the Jelly Bean Stalk
A playful twist on the classic fairy tale, this version swaps magic beans for jelly beans, which makes it a perfect tie-in to any of your jellybean-themed activities.
The illustrations are bold and fun, and the story is simple enough for preschoolers to follow while still offering plenty of chances to point out the letter J. We read this after doing our jellybean color sort and it tied everything together really well.
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The illustrations are bold and fun, and the story is simple enough for preschoolers to follow while still offering plenty of chances to point out the letter J. We read this after doing our jellybean color sort and it tied everything together really well.
More Alphabet Letter Activities
Looking for more ways to explore the alphabet? Check out these fun, hands-on ideas and free printables for nearby letters:
- Letter I activities – Interactive games and creative worksheets that help reinforce the letter I.
- Letter K activities – Simple crafts and learning tools focused on recognizing and writing the letter K.
Pair these with your favorite Letter J activities to build early literacy skills, boost confidence, and keep preschool learning engaging and playful.
Last Updated on 7 July 2025 by Clare Brown