"Flip" Summer Printable I Spy Game for Kids

I can honestly say that I don’t know ONE teacher or kid who is not excited about summer and a break from school. Now with that being said, just because the school year is over doesn’t mean that the learning should stop. There are so many hands-on, exciting activities that our kiddos can partake in throughout the hottest season of the year.

Our Summer Printable I Spy Game is the perfect way to practice important motor and cognitive skills- all while having a blast with friends! These adorable and colorful I spy pictures will have anyone longing for a cold popsicle while lounging under a giant beach umbrella.

Recommended Grade Level:

Preschool

Kindergarten

Supply List
Coordinating Activities

Summer I Spy Board Game Supplies:

Paper
Laminating Supplies
Scissors

how to make a summer preschool sensory bin.

kids will love exploring the beach with this scavenger hunt for kids.

Learning About Memory Skills:

I SPY PRESCHOOL GAME

ASKING STUDENTS TO USE COGNITIVE (THINKING) SKILLS CAN HELP BUILD THEIR WORKING MEMORY. STUDENTS CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE:

Where is this object located? What characteristics of the object will help me find it? I remember seeing that picture before, how can I find it again?

It’s important for kids to practice using their memory and problem-solving skills in order to recognize visual details, enhance vocabulary, and follow multiple step directions.

This easy I Spy printable can be used with an individual child, a pair of children, or a small group.

A few examples of the summer I spy images included in this printable are: stars, lemonade, popsicles, ice cream, sand castles, lemon, seashells, suns, umbrellas, sun glasses, and flip flops.

I spy can fit into any part of your child’s day-

While lunch is being prepared
A rainy afternoon
Outside on a picnic blanket
As a boredom buster when the whining begins.

In addition to exercising a child’s working memory, here are more concepts to explore using the I Spy board game:

What colors are in that object?
What shapes make up the object?
What letter does that object start with?
What other kind of objects might I find during the summer season?

i spy picture cards for the i spy board game.

What Social Skills Can Preschoolers Learn?

Practicing social skills with the game i spy

HAVING STUDENTS WORK TOGETHER TO PLAY THE I SPY FLIP MEMORY GAME CAN UTILIZE SOCIAL SKILLS LIKE:

Turn-taking and patience
Positive communication
Resilience after a loss
Cooperation

i spy game boards with colorful summer images.

Why Is It Important For Kids To Practice Memory Skills?

Besides the fact that kids love playing I Spy games, there are so many other reasons you should work on problem-solving and memory activities with your child.

Develop a Child’s Focus

In order for children to be successful in finding matches, they must practice focusing on where objects are and concentrating on how to find them again.

Develop Visual Recognition

Children are using visuals and characteristics to quickly find a specific object. They will have to recognize colors, shapes and other distinctive features to locate the picture.

Improving Short Term Memory

Processing data quickly is a product of short term memory. Practicing using your short term memory can also help strengthen long term memory and the ability to recall information at a later time.

Cognitive Sorting

A child’s brain needs to be able to sort the information of the objects they are seeing in order to narrow down where the specific object is. If the child flips a card with a crab on it, they must quickly sort which pictures are the color red.

picture cards and game boards for the i spy board game.

“My multi-aged group loved this even more than I thought they would! “

My kiddos love this! I use it for early finishers or in the morning while they are staggering in during breakfast. They are very engaged and enjoy playing!

How To Use These I Spy Printables

Choose your option below to get the printable pack.
Print, cut out, and laminate the activity for durability.

Choose how many players will be participating in the game. Make sure to explain how the game is played and possibly model how to play it for them.

Once the posters are laminated, there are many learning activities you can use them for, including using dry erase markers.

How Do I Play the I Spy “Flip” Board Game?

Playing this I Spy Board game is simple.

Choose your I Spy game board.
Divide the cards evenly among the players.
Place the cards face down on the table.
All players flip their top cards at the same time.
Race to find the picture on your card first.
Whoever finds their picture first wins a token.
Play continues until the playing cards have all been used.
The player that has the most tokens at the end of the game is the winner.

Extend the Activity:

Sorting Cards

Use the image cards to practice sorting colors, shapes, living vs. nonliving, and food or drinks.

Challenging Words

Create word cards to challenge students to identify the image with the corresponding word.

Creative Storytelling

Give your child the image cards from the I Spy summer game and have them create a story using the pictures.

I Spy Game

Use the I Spy pages to play traditional I Spy. Start the game with “I Spy with my little eye…” and engage the children with verbal cues to find the matching picture.