Letter games
A to Z snakes, dragons, caterpillars, spirals and alphabet grids that turn the whole alphabet into something children walk, hop and play along.
What are letter games?
Alphabet and letter games markings are thermoplastic A to Z designs, snakes, dragons, caterpillars, spirals and grids, laid onto the playground so children learn their letters by moving along them. They turn phonics and letter recognition into a physical game, which suits the way younger children take things in, and they give a teacher a ready-made outdoor space for a quick letters or spelling activity. Because the alphabet is right there on the ground, the same marking works for free play at break and for a structured lesson later in the day. They are one type of playground markings we design and install.
Why do schools choose letter games?
Letters they can move along
An A to Z snake or caterpillar lets children hop from letter to letter, which suits younger ones far better than sitting still and helps the alphabet stick.
Ready for a quick lesson outside
With the alphabet already on the ground, a teacher can run a letters, phonics or spelling activity outdoors in minutes, with no equipment to carry out.
Play and learning from one marking
The same design is a game at break and a teaching tool in a lesson, so a single alphabet marking earns its place several times over across the day.
What types of letter games do we install?
A to Z snakes, caterpillars, spirals and grids that turn letters into a game.
A to Z snakes and dragons
A winding snake or dragon carrying the whole alphabet, in single case or upper and lower case, for hopping letter by letter.
Alphabet caterpillars and snails
A friendly caterpillar or snail spelling out A to Z, a favourite for EYFS and the younger years.
Alphabet grids
A clear A to Z grid for letter recognition, quick phonics games and spelling out simple words on the ground.
Alphabet spirals
The letters set into a spiral children follow round, packing the full alphabet into a compact, eye-catching design.
Letter games: designs and guide prices
Every design in this range, 11 in all, each with a guide price you can add to a quote.
Prices exclude VAT
How do we install letter games?
Survey, design, install and aftercare, and most of it is ours to do.
- 01
Survey
We look at where your youngest children play and learn outside, since alphabet markings do most good near the EYFS and Key Stage 1 space where letters are being taught.
- 02
Design
We draw the alphabet design you have chosen at the right size and colours, so you can see how the snake, caterpillar or grid will sit before we start.
- 03
Install
Each design is masked and laid in thermoplastic on site. An alphabet marking or a small set is usually completed within a day.
- 04
Aftercare
The markings are ready to use as soon as they cool. We can add matching number or phonics designs on a later visit.
What do letter games cost?
An alphabet or letter game costs from around £295 for a design such as the A to Z flowers up to about £655 for a large giant caterpillar, with the A to Z snakes, dragons and grids in between. Choosing a letters and numbers set together in one visit keeps the cost down. These are guide prices for each design, so we survey the playground and send a free design and a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise.
Prices exclude VAT
Payment terms and any site-dependent charges, for example an aborted visit or extra cleaning, are set out in our terms.
Get a free design and quoteWhat is the specification for letter games?
The key details for letter games. We confirm everything on your design drawing.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Preformed thermoplastic |
| A to Z snake | About 3.8m x 3.2m |
| Alphabet grid | About 2.4m x 1.8m |
| Caterpillar | About 8.3m to 9m long |
| Surface | Tarmac or macadam, sound and dry |
| Install time | A day for a design or a small set |
What do our letter games look like?
A closer look at letter games and designs like them on real school playgrounds.
Thinking about letter games for your school? See how our process works, from a free survey to install, meet the team behind your markings, or read reviews from schools we have worked with. For directional floor and site-navigation markings we also fit wayfinding markings.
Letter games: your questions answered
How do alphabet markings help children learn?
They turn letter recognition and phonics into movement. Children hop along an A to Z snake or step through an alphabet grid, which suits the way younger children learn and helps the letters stick better than sitting at a table. The same marking then doubles as a game at break.
Which alphabet designs do you offer?
Popular designs include the A to Z snakes and caterpillars, because they are colourful, hold the whole alphabet and are easy for young children to follow. Alphabet grids and spirals suit tighter spaces or more structured letter and spelling games.
Are letter games suitable for all ages?
They suit EYFS and Key Stage 1 best, where letters and phonics are being taught, though older children still use them for spelling games and word activities. We will suggest designs to match the ages and the space at your school.
Get a free design and quote
Tell us about your playground and we will arrange a survey, draw letter games around your site and send a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise. There is no obligation. Prefer to talk it through?
0333 321 6699Thanks, that is with us
We will be in touch as soon as possible to arrange your free design and quote. If it is urgent, call 0333 321 6699.
What works well with letter games?
Related services and guides schools often pair with letter games.
The experts behind your markings
The people who design, price and stand behind every Uniplay installation.
Michael Jarvie
Operations Director · Director and Co-owner
One of our Directors and Co-owners, with over 16 years' experience in the playground markings industry and masses of industry knowledge. There is very rarely a thermoplastic query he cannot resolve.
Connect on LinkedIn
Victoria Walmsley
Sales and Marketing Director · Director and Co-owner
One of our Directors and Co-owners, with a wealth of experience across all things thermoplastic, leading sales and marketing at Uniplay.
Connect on LinkedInReady to get your playground moving?
Tell us about your space and we will send a free design and a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise.
- Free design and site survey
- No obligation
- Our own in-house installation team