Ready to turn learning time into playtime? I Spy games aren’t just fun—they’re sneaky little learning ninjas in disguise! These engaging I Spy Activities help kids build critical skills without even realizing they’re learning. From fine motor and visual discrimination to vocabulary, counting, and literacy, I Spy Printables and I Spy Games pack a serious educational punch.
Whether you’re teaching preschoolers, kindergarteners, kids in special education, or just looking for a fun way to challenge older children, there’s an I Spy game for you. Scroll down to explore more than 60 themed I Spy Printables and Games from Life Over C’s!
What Are I Spy Activities?
I Spy Activities are seek-and-find games that invite kids to search for specific objects, colors, numbers, shapes, or letters. Armed with a magnifying glass (optional but adorable 🔍), kids build focus and attention as they explore.
These activities can be printable I Spy Activity Sheets, gross motor games, sensory bin explorations, or outdoor scavenger hunts. You’ll find seasonal themes, skill-based challenges, and engaging twists that fit right into your preschool or kindergarten routine.
I Spy for Kindergarten and Preschool
If you have never played I Spy before, it is a super easy and fun activity that you can do with no planning. No matter where you are all you have to do is “find” an object and say ‘I spy with my little eye something….” and give a simple clue of the object the other person is searching for.
The person who guesses correctly gets to pick the next “I Spy” object. There are no winners with this game because it can go on forever making it perfect for kids who can get a little too competitive. (You don’t have any of those do you!?!?)
The easy, free I Spy worksheets included here are great for kids to play alone or you can use them for a guessing game with friends, family or classmates as well.
More activities are being added regularly, so Pin this post to remember to check back for new inspiration!
Skills Kids Build with I Spy Games
- Visual discrimination: Children learn to identify subtle differences between images, building the observation skills necessary for letter recognition, reading readiness, and math comparisons.
- Focus and attention span: I Spy Activities require kids to visually scan, stay on task, and attend to details—which builds stamina for longer academic tasks.
- Vocabulary and speech: As children talk about what they find, describe objects, and follow multi-step directions, they strengthen expressive and receptive language skills.
- Counting and number recognition: Many I Spy Activity Sheets prompt kids to count specific objects and write or say how many, reinforcing number sense and quantity identification.
- Color and shape recognition: Themed I Spy games often include prompts to find certain colors or shapes, helping children solidify early geometry and classification skills.
- Fine motor development: Coloring, circling, pointing, and using small manipulatives during I Spy games all support hand-eye coordination and pencil grip preparation.
- Supports for special education and therapy: These activities can be adapted for visual tracking, one-to-one correspondence, speech articulation, and more, making them a powerful resource for occupational and speech therapists.
Themed I Spy Activity Sheets
These themed printable I Spy Activity Sheets are the ultimate print-and-go solution for busy teachers and parents who want hands-on learning without the prep overload. With just a quick print, you’re ready to go with an engaging activity that supports visual discrimination, counting, comparing, and vocabulary development all at once.
Each I Spy activity invites children to search and find specific objects within a colorful, cluttered scene—which makes their brains work hard while their hearts are having fun! From holiday themes to everyday learning like shapes and weather, these I Spy sheets are great for circle time, small groups, independent centers, or even at-home learning days.
Weather I Spy Game
This printable Weather I Spy Activity Sheet gives kids a chance to practice visual discrimination and counting using familiar weather icons like clouds, sun, and raindrops.
Ocean Theme I Spy Sheets
Kids explore ocean-themed objects as they count and identify marine animals in this engaging Ocean I Spy game. Great for number recognition and vocabulary.
Bee I Spy Printable
This combination activity includes a Bee Themed I Spy sheet and a simple maze, giving children an opportunity to practice problem-solving and visual skills with a bee theme.
Valentine’s Day I Spy Activity
A printable Valentine’s Day I Spy Activity Sheet that supports counting and shape recognition while keeping kids focused during the holiday excitement.
Winter I Spy Printable
This Winter-themed I Spy Printable challenges children to locate and count cold-weather items. It’s a great way to keep learning going when it’s too chilly to go outside.
Christmas I Spy Activity
A festive Christmas I Spy sheet filled with Christmas images that encourages attention to detail, vocabulary use, and early math skills.
Thanksgiving I Spy Sheet
This Thanksgiving I Spy Activity Sheet helps children work on visual discrimination and counting skills with seasonal icons.
May Flowers Spring I Spy Sheet
Brighten your spring lesson plans with this floral May Flowers I Spy sheet that lets children search for and count flowers, watering cans, and more.
Rainy Day Spring I Spy Sheet
Perfect for rainy day lesson plans, this Rainy Day Spring I Spy Activity Sheet uses weather-related images to reinforce number sense and observation.
Apple Orchard I Spy Activity
This Apple Orchard-themed I Spy printable doubles as both an I Spy and a scavenger hunt, ideal for fall units and visual tracking practice.
Pumpkin Patch I Spy Sheet
Kids explore a pumpkin patch scene while practicing counting, sorting, and shape recognition with this Pumpkin I Spy game.
2D Shape I Spy Activity
Children practice shape recognition and counting as they search for circles, squares, triangles, and more in this beginner-friendly 2D Shape I Spy Activity Sheet.
I Spy Posters and Gross Motor Games
Looking to get kids moving while learning? These I Spy Posters are the perfect combination of active fun and visual learning. Each poster set doubles as a classroom decoration and an interactive game that gets children up and moving as they search for colors, shapes, and themed images around the room.
A huge bonus? Every I Spy poster set includes bilingual support with both English and Spanish vocabulary included! This makes the posters a wonderful tool for dual-language learners, ELL classrooms, and families who speak more than one language at home.
They’re not just pretty posters… they’re a gateway to conversation, movement, and multicultural learning all in one playful package.
It’s always a bonus when you can incorporate a second language into your activities! The following pictures and posters come in English and Spanish. These I Spy pictures printable will support children learning their colors, a perfect I Spy for preschool, where colors is always one of the big topics!
The I Spy sheets also include posters to allow children to work on vocabulary development in both languages. Support those students who are learning English while also developing some Spanish speaking skills in English speakers!
Themed Color I Spy Activities:
Ocean I Spy Color Posters and Gross Motor Game
Use these ocean-theme I Spy color posters as a vibrant wall display or an interactive color search game. They include English and Spanish vocabulary for added language support
Fall Scarecrow I Spy Color Posters and Gross Motor Game
Celebrate autumn with Fall Scarecrow color I Spy posters designed to reinforce visual discrimination. The bilingual text supports Spanish-speaking students and dual language classrooms.
Farm Theme I Spy Color Posters and Gross Motor Game
Farm life and color recognition go hand in hand in this playful set of Farm Theme I Spy color activities and posters. English and Spanish color words are clearly labeled for everyday practice.
Spring Birds I Spy Color Posters and Gross Motor Game
Spring into learning with adorable spring bird color posters that double as I Spy games. These bilingual posters are perfect for brightening classroom decor while reinforcing vocabulary.
Valentine’s Day Hearts I Spy Color Posters and Gross Motor Game
This Valentine’s Day I Spy Color Poster set helps kids build color word fluency in both English and Spanish using themed posters and an I Spy-style color activity
Themed Shape I Spy Activities
Outer Space I Spy Shape Posters and Gross Motor Game
These space-themed shape I Spy posters help reinforce 2D shape identification with a fun twist.
Apple I Spy Shape Posters and Gross Motor Game
Use these apple-themed shape I Spy posters to support shape recognition with clear visuals for your classroom.
Summer Lemonade I Spy Shape Posters and Gross Motor Game
These bright, lemonade-themed shape I Spy posters double as an interactive I Spy Shapes activity.
Fall Pumpkin I Spy Shape Posters and Gross Motor Game
Introduce fall-themed shapes with these pumpkin-themed shape I Spy posters. Use them in a scavenger hunt or as part of your math wall display.
Dinosaur I Spy Shape Posters and Gross Motor Game
Explore 2D shapes with dinosaurs while also encouraging gross motor play through an Dinosaur I Spy Shape Hunt.
Spring Garden I Spy Shape Posters and Gross Motor Game
Bring the outdoors in with garden-themed shape I Spy posters and a matching I Spy game to build shape vocabulary and movement.
Winter Snowman I Spy Shape Posters and Gross Motor Game
These winter snowman shape I Spy posters support shape recognition during the colder months.
Valentine’s Day I Spy Shape Posters and Gross Motor Game
Decorate your classroom with Valentine’s-themed shapes and use the Valentine’s Day shape I Spy posters as an interactive way to practice shape names in two languages.
Spring Flower I Spy Shape Posters and Gross Motor Game
Celebrate spring and practice 2D shapes with these spring flower shape I Spy posters that double as a playful I Spy activity.
Hands-on I Spy Activities
Hands-on I Spy Activities are a great way to build critical preschool skills without needing a pencil or paper. These games support vocabulary development, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration while keeping kids engaged and curious.
Each activity is designed to be playful and purposeful—whether you’re using a sensory bin, discovery bottle, or a fun DIY center idea. These I Spy Activities are also easily adapted for speech or occupational therapy sessions.
Alphabet I Spy Magnet Board
This alphabet-themed I Spy game encourages children to search for magnetic letters in a sensory tray, building letter recognition and fine motor skills.
Ocean Theme I Spy Jar
Create an ocean-themed I Spy sensory jar to engage kids in quiet, hands-on exploration while developing vocabulary and observation.
Farm I Spy Sensory Bin
Use this farm-themed I Spy sensory bin to reinforce healthy food vocabulary and sorting skills in a tactile, engaging way.
Five Senses I Spy Scavenger Hunt
This I Spy style five senses activity uses real-world items to help kids identify and discuss which of the five senses they use to explore the world.
Arctic Animals I Spy Sensory Bin
Spy arctic animals in a sensory bin setting to encourage visual discrimination and animal vocabulary development.
Alphabet I Spy Sensory Bottle
Fill a sensory bottle with letter beads and use it as an I Spy alphabet game to build alphabet knowledge and fine motor control.
Ways to Use I Spy Activities
- Quiet time activity: Provide a calming, independent task that keeps little hands and minds engaged while giving everyone a moment to reset.
- Morning work: Start the day with an inviting, skill-building activity that eases the transition into structured learning time.
- Early finisher bin: Keep fast finishers focused with a meaningful activity that doesn’t disrupt the rest of the class.
- Take-home learning: Send home an engaging, screen-free learning option that parents will love and kids will actually want to do.
- Speech therapy: Encourage expressive and receptive language as kids describe what they see and search for.
- OT sessions: Strengthen visual tracking and fine motor skills in a playful, goal-oriented way.
- Sensory bin pairings: Add an I Spy twist to sensory play by hiding objects kids can search for and name.
- Partner games and centers: Promote cooperation, conversation, and teamwork with I Spy tasks built for two or small groups.
Tips for Making I Spy Activities More Interactive
- Laminate and use with dry erase markers
- Add a spinner or dice to guide how many items to find
- Create a sensory bag overlay for tactile fun
- Pair with mini erasers or dot markers
- Use a timer for extra challenge or teamwork rounds
Whether you’re looking to spark joy during morning work or build skills during centers, these 60+ I Spy Activities are ready to support your little learners! Try a few this week and see how much fun (and learning!) you can pack into your day.
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