Turn playtime into learning: "I Spy" game

The other day, I went for a walk in the park with my sister-in-law and my niece, Emily. She had been feeling a little left out lately, complaining that she wasn’t getting enough one-on-one time with her mom because her little brother, Auggie, always seemed to need her attention. As we walked, I saw Emily's face light up as she played I Spy—her favorite game—with her mom.

"What's something smelly that you wear every day?" she asked.

Emily giggled, immediately covering her nose. "Socks!"

Moments like these remind me just how powerful play can be in learning. Kids absorb new words best when they discover them through real-life experiences, and that’s exactly what our free I Spy: Bedroom printable is designed to do!

How it works

Rather than just reading a list of words, kids will search their own bedroom for familiar objects while practicing how to say them in another language. This printable encourages exploration, repetition, and real-world connections—a proven way to boost language retention!

What’s inside?

This printable introduces common bedroom objects in a way that kids can relate to. From a pillow they hug every night to socks that always seem to go missing, each word connects to real-life experiences. Learning becomes natural when kids associate new vocabulary with objects they already know and love!

Ways to use it:

• Color it in - Let kids personalize their printable while reinforcing their learning through creativity.
• Say it out loud – Repeat the words together to reinforce pronunciation
• Play the game - Give hints instead of naming objects outright and make it silly! "I spy something that disappears in the washing machine and smells like stinky feet!" (Socks!) or "I spy something fluffy that you drool on while sleeping!" (Pillow!).
• Use it daily – Point out these items as part of morning or bedtime routines to build consistent language exposure.

Get your free Printable!

Learning a new language should feel fun, engaging, and part of everyday life. Sign up with your email below, and we’ll send this printable to your inbox, as part of our weekly series of new language activities, tips, and resources. See you soon!