S is for Snake - Free Letter Activity - Tea Time Monkeys

This free cut and paste “S is for Snake” printable makes a very simple craft activity if you’re teaching phonics and the letter “S”! It’s also great for jungle or pet themes, or as an activity to tie in with the book “Dear Zoo”.

I’ve provided some photos of real snakes that you can download and print (all the free printables are at the end of the post). I like to show my kids these before we do the craft activity, so we can talk about all the different colours and patterns that snakes can have. I also point out the main features of a snake: “Look! A snake has got two eyes, a mouth, a long tongue….and no legs!” You can put the photos on the board as inspiration for the children while they make their snakes.

You don’t need many materials for this craft activity – it’s super low-prep and really easy for preschoolers!

Supplies

White card stock
Paints, crayons or coloured pencils
Scissors and glue
Googly eyes
Optional: stickers, thin strips of coloured paper

How to make the S is for Snake Craft:

Print one copy of the letter S (page 2 of the PDF) on white card stock for each child.
On page 3 of the PDF you’ll find 3 sets of grass tussocks (this is to save paper!). If you want to include the grass, you can print it on green paper and give one set to each child to cut out.

S is for Snake - Step 1 - Tea Time Monkeys

Children colour or paint the letter S. You can make it a collage activity by having the kids paint the snake in one colour first, then decorate it with stickers or paper strips once it’s dried. Or you could just have them colour it with crayons, make coloured spots by finger painting, or just decorate it with stickers.
Leave to dry if necessary, then cut a long, thin strip of red card or paper to make the tongue. Ask your kids where they think the tongue should go (they could stick it on either end of the S to make either an up or down facing snake!).
To make a tongue that curls up, explain to children that they should only put glue one one end of the tongue. Once they have stuck it onto the snake, take a pencil and demonstrate how to curl the tongue by wrapping the end of it around a pencil. They can then add the snake’s eyes.

6. You can finish off the craft by adding some grass around the snake to make it look like it’s slithering through it’s jungly home! And that’s it! Finished!