Learning a new language with your child can be a rewarding adventure, especially when you make it engaging and fun. Focusing on transportation words like “car,” “train,” and “plane” is a great way to teach practical vocabulary while tapping into children’s natural curiosity about travel and movement. Once your child has learned the words in the free activity file and audio guide, try the activities below for more transportation fun!
Why Transportation Words?
Transportation is something children see and experience every day, whether they’re riding in a car, watching planes overhead, or playing with toy trucks. Learning these words in a new language adds a layer of excitement and familiarity, helping children connect words to real-world experiences. Plus, it opens up opportunities to discuss geography, travel, and different cultures as they grow more curious.
Activities and Games to Reinforce Transportation Vocabulary
Here are some creative and easy ways to integrate transportation words into your language-learning journey.
Toy Vehicle Match-Up
Gather a collection of toy vehicles (cars, trains, airplanes, boats, etc.). Label each one with its name in the target language. Have children match each toy to a flashcard or picture with the corresponding word. Encourage them to say the words out loud as they match them.
“I Spy” Transport Edition
Play a transportation-themed version of “I Spy” on a walk or while driving. Say, “I spy something that goes on the road / flies in the sky,” and have the child identify and say the word in the target language. This helps them associate vehicles with real-life experiences.
Transportation Sound Bingo
Play recordings of different transportation sounds (such as a car horn, airplane engine, train whistle) and have children identify which vehicle it is in the target language. You can create a Bingo board with images and ask children to say the word in the new language.
Create a Transport Map
On a large sheet of paper, draw a map with different routes for land, air, and water vehicles. Have children use toy vehicles to “travel” along the routes, narrating their movements and using as many words in the target language as they can. For example, “The train is going to the station.”
Transportation Charades
Take turns acting out different forms of transportation (like flying like a plane or chugging like a train) while the other guesses and says the word in the target language. This can be hilarious and memorable, and it reinforces vocabulary through play.
Sorting Activity: Land, Air, and Sea
Collect images or small toys of vehicles and help children sort them into land, air, and sea categories. As they sort, teach them the vocabulary for each vehicle in the target language. This introduces an extra level of classification and word association.
Vehicle Puzzles
Use transportation-themed puzzles or make simple ones with pictures cut into pieces. As children put the puzzles together, parents can reinforce the name of each vehicle in the target language.
Transportation Hunt
Using your One Third Stories books, or other books you have at home, ask your child to find and identify any vehicles they can find.
Ticket to Ride: Transportation Station
Have children help you set up a pretend travel station. Make simple “tickets” and schedules. Children can pretend to visit different destinations using various modes of travel.
Free Printables and Audio Guide for Pronunciation
Our free resources include:
- Transportation-themed vocabulary printables: Fun activity sheets to introduce transportation words and provide opportunities for practice.
- Audio pronunciation guide: Each transportation word is pronounced clearly, making it easy for you and your child to learn the correct pronunciation together.
Tips for Reinforcing Vocabulary
- Keep practicing in context: Use transportation words during real-life moments, like pointing out a bus on the way to school or talking about a plane at the airport.
- Mix in cultural learning: If possible, talk about transportation in other countries. For instance, you can discuss how children in other places might travel by tuk-tuk, subway, or double-decker bus.
- Encourage curiosity: Ask your child to teach you or other family members new words. This boosts their confidence and helps reinforce the vocabulary.
Download Your Free Printables and Audio Guide
Download your free transportation vocabulary printables and audio pronunciation guides below. These resources make it easy to introduce new words and keep practicing together.
Through these activities, you’ll be helping your child build essential vocabulary in a way that’s engaging and memorable. Enjoy the journey as you explore new words and transportation concepts together!
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Our courses are available in French, Spanish, Italian and German.
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