When you think about flashcards, memories of long study sessions and cramming for tests and exams may be at the forefront. However, they can serve as a fun tool to teach toddlers subjects that are new to them, like the alphabet, numbers, words, emotions, and more! They can also be a great way to engage your toddler in a screen-free way.
To help you find the best ones, we researched flashcards for toddlers. We really liked My First Touch and Feel Picture Cards because they are unique cards with different textures. The tactile stimulation adds another layer of input for toddlers and makes for a more memorable experience. We have a lot of other products that stood out to us, so take a look through our top nine list and read our buying guide for more helpful information, including tips on how to use your new flashcards!
Image | 1 ![]() DK | 2 ![]() LiKee | 3 ![]() Learnworx | 4 ![]() Mudpuppy | 5 ![]() Think Tank Scholar | 6 ![]() Brybelly | 7 ![]() Star Right | 8 ![]() Morababy | 9 ![]() Scholastic | 10 ![]() Brighter Child |
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Name | My First Touch and Feel Picture Cards | Alphabet and Number Flashcard Puzzle | My First Flash Cards | My ABC's Ring Flash Cards | Preschool Flash Cards Bundle | Feelings in a Flash | Flashcards Pack | Soft Alphabet Cards | ABC Flashcards | Alphabet Flash Cards |
Features | Sturdy, Textured Cards With Ideas and Information | Flashcards With Matching Puzzle Blocks | Bright, Durable Cards for Uninhibited Learning | Easy-to-Organize Flashcards | Real-Life Photos to Teach a Wide Range of Subjects | Help Toddlers Name and Understand Their Feelings | Cover the Basics and Keep Cards Organized | Soft Alphabet Flashcards for All Kinds of Play | Straightforward ABC Cards | Familiarize Toddlers With Upper and Lowercase Letters |
Price | $8.98 | $19.54 | $27.99 | $12.99 | $19.99 | $14.99 | $18.09 | $17.99 | $2.96 | $2.99 |
Cards | 16 single-sided, information for adults on back | 36 double-sided | 101 double-sided | 26 double-sided | 180 double-sided | 100 double-sided | 36 double-sided cards per deck | 26 double-sided | 26 double-sided | 54 single-sided |
Subject | Animals, numbers, colors, shapes, first words, vehicles, farm | Alphabet, numbers | Objects, numbers | Alphabet | Alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, first words, opposites, rhymes | Emotions | Alphabet, numbers, shapes, first words | Alphabet | Alphabet | Alphabet |
Features | Textured cards, prompts, parent guide, translations | Storage box, blocks | Easy to wipe, rounded corners, prompts | Ring | Rounded corner, real photos | Activity and game ideas | Ring | Cloth cards, storage bag | Not specified | Activity and game ideas included, upper and lowercase letters |
Suitable age range | 1-2 yrs | 3+ yrs | 1+ yrs | 1+ yrs | 2-6 yrs | 2+ yrs | 3-5 yrs | 1+ yrs | 1-3 yrs | 4+ yrs |
Size of cards | Not specified | Alphabet: 3.3 x 4.1 in. Numbers: 3.3 x 5.4 in. | 5.75 x 4.5 in. | 2.75 x 5 in | Not specified | 2.5 x 3.5 in. | 3 x 4.5 in. | 5 x 4.2 in. | Not specified | 3.25 x 5.25 in. |
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Here are the best flashcards we found for toddlers up to five years old. We included flashcards that cover a range of topics in different ways.
$8.98
Cards | 16 single-sided, information for adults on back |
---|---|
Subject | Animals, numbers, colors, shapes, first words, vehicles, farm |
Features | Textured cards, prompts, parent guide, translations |
Suitable age range | 1-2 yrs |
Size of cards | Not specified |
$19.54
Cards | 36 double-sided |
---|---|
Subject | Alphabet, numbers |
Features | Storage box, blocks |
Suitable age range | 3+ yrs |
Size of cards | Alphabet: 3.3 x 4.1 in. Numbers: 3.3 x 5.4 in. |
$27.99
Cards | 101 double-sided |
---|---|
Subject | Objects, numbers |
Features | Easy to wipe, rounded corners, prompts |
Suitable age range | 1+ yrs |
Size of cards | 5.75 x 4.5 in. |
$12.99
Cards | 26 double-sided |
---|---|
Subject | Alphabet |
Features | Ring |
Suitable age range | 1+ yrs |
Size of cards | 2.75 x 5 in |
$19.99
Cards | 180 double-sided |
---|---|
Subject | Alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, first words, opposites, rhymes |
Features | Rounded corner, real photos |
Suitable age range | 2-6 yrs |
Size of cards | Not specified |
$14.99
Cards | 100 double-sided |
---|---|
Subject | Emotions |
Features | Activity and game ideas |
Suitable age range | 2+ yrs |
Size of cards | 2.5 x 3.5 in. |
Set of 4
$18.09
Cards | 36 double-sided cards per deck |
---|---|
Subject | Alphabet, numbers, shapes, first words |
Features | Ring |
Suitable age range | 3-5 yrs |
Size of cards | 3 x 4.5 in. |
$17.99
Cards | 26 double-sided |
---|---|
Subject | Alphabet |
Features | Cloth cards, storage bag |
Suitable age range | 1+ yrs |
Size of cards | 5 x 4.2 in. |
$2.96
Cards | 26 double-sided |
---|---|
Subject | Alphabet |
Features | Not specified |
Suitable age range | 1-3 yrs |
Size of cards | Not specified |
$2.99
Cards | 54 single-sided |
---|---|
Subject | Alphabet |
Features | Activity and game ideas included, upper and lowercase letters |
Suitable age range | 4+ yrs |
Size of cards | 3.25 x 5.25 in. |
The good news is that there are all kinds of flashcards that cater to different tastes and preferences. However, that can make it difficult to narrow down your options.
When looking for flashcards for your toddler, try to think about what content your toddler can understand, what kinds of images are fun to look at, and importantly, how durable the cards are.
No matter their age, find cards that show the subjects in multiple ways for maximum understanding. For example, if a card is for the number seven, a card with the number, word, and an image of seven things shows how the number seven is used.
According to psychologist Jean Piaget’s stages of development, ages two to seven mark the preoperational stage, where symbolism (like images and words) is used to represent objects, images, and ideas.
Since toddlers are mostly in a pre-symbolic stage of thinking, flashcards can miss the mark for some toddlers, meaning that while they may recognize the card as "apple," they may not be able to name an apple in real life.
For younger toddlers, keep this in mind as you plan how to use the flashcards in engaging and interactive ways. If focusing on colors, for example, find opportunities to name colors you see in your everyday life together.
Everyone has their own innate learning styles, so figuring out what your toddler's is can change what kind of flashcards you may want to get and how you use them.
Many, if not most, toddlers fall under the kinesthetic learner category. Kinesthetic learners enjoy active movement, but that doesn’t mean that flashcards are out of the question. It can be quite simple to make flashcards active. A simple scavenger hunt game can make learning with flashcards a fun, memorable activity.
Take a look at our extra tips section for more ideas on how to use flashcards with your little one!
Choosing cards with bright, fun illustrations and easy-to-read letters will interest toddlers and likely keep them more engaged.
Clear and distinct illustrations also help tie the word and concept together more strongly, which can make the learning process faster. Some cards have real photos of corresponding objects, which some toddlers prefer because there's more to study.
Pay attention to technical details like the thickness of the cards and their size. Cards that are thin and flimsy may easily get destroyed during play, and cards that are too big or too small can be difficult for toddlers to handle or create problems with seeing the card's details.
Of course, toddler playtime can get messy! Coated or laminated cards are better protected from drool or other messes and can be easier to clean, reducing the adult's stress.
Some cards have features like textures or puzzle pieces to engage toddlers’ tactile sensations and motor skills, which can support faster learning and more fun.
Other cards may have features that make them easy to clean up and store, such as a plastic or metal ring to keep all of the cards in one place.
Cards with organizational features can also be used with your toddler to instill the habit of cleaning up after using something. Cleaning up can also work their motor skills by giving them the chance to sort and put things in the right places.
Using flashcards in the same way as college students or adults do is not fun for toddlers and will likely not be engaging or effective. Since flashcards for toddlers are simple, there is a range of creative uses to enthusiastically utilize them.
Do a scavenger hunt for as many things that match the flashcard. If it has aspects or images of things you can find in your immediate environment, find things that match the card.
For example, if a flashcard is for the color red, find as many red things in your house as possible. If the flashcard has a chair on it, find chairs throughout your home together.
Making a memory game out of the flashcards is another simple way to make them more engaging. This also helps toddlers hold things in their memory once it’s not in front of them anymore. However, this game is best reserved for older toddlers since younger kids may not be developmentally capable yet.
Point out and talk about aspects of the card that don’t have to do with what the card is. For example, there may be a picture of an apple, but you can describe the apple itself using adjectives like red, round, and shiny to enrich your child's vocabulary.
Karuta is another way to practice flashcards. To play, spread two to eight cards on the floor and call out one of the cards. Your toddler has to find the correct card and touch or bring it to you. This can easily be turned into a more active game by spreading the cards far apart, giving your toddler a chance to run around to find the card.
Looking for more products to help your toddler learn about themselves and the world around them? Check out more helpful buying guides with items that do just that!
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