Teaching position words doesn’t have to be boring – it can be lots of fun! In preschool and kindergarten, children need lots of hands-on practice with words like under, on, above, beside, and between. The more fun and playful the activity, the better they will catch on. Today I’m sharing a free Fall position words activity you can use to help make learning these words simple and engaging.
Free Printable: Position Word Mats
These Fall Position Word Mats are easy to prepare and fun for kids. Just print the mat, give children pom poms, and read the sentences to the group. Children will move the pom pom to the correct spot on the mat.
For example:
- Put a pumpkin under a haystack.
- Put a pumpkin beside the mouse.
- Put a pumpkin between two wheels.
The children love moving their pom poms around the scene while they practice spatial concepts. It also sneaks in some fine motor practice while they pinch and move the pom poms – you can have them use tweezers with them, or just fingers for the pincer grasp.
More Fall Position Word Activities
If your students enjoy the free mats, you’ll definitely want to check out the Fall Position Words Activities Pack. This set includes a variety of activities to give children repeated practice with this concept.
Keep reading to see what’s included.
Two Bingo Games: Owl and Squirrels
A Fall twist on bingo that helps children practice position words.
Printable Position Words Book
Use at Circle Time to introduce or review & add the book to your Reading Center.
Picture Mat
Move pieces (like apples and pumpkins) around a fall scene to show positions. Use the black and white pages for a cut and glue activity.
Two Real Object Card Sets: Pencil/Cup Set & Spider/Jar Set
Students use real classroom objects to show positions. Use a real cup and pencil for one activity and a toy spider and jar for another.
Play Dough Mats
Children make play dough pieces to show objects in different positions.
Many of these activities are perfect for small group learning, and some can be used in centers or circle time. Each activity reinforces the position words in a new way, so children get lots of practice without ever getting bored. This pack can be used throughout the Fall months.
Why Position Words Matter
Position words aren’t just a vocabulary lesson—they’re a big part of everyday life. Think about how often children need to understand directions like “Line up behind your friend” or “Put your paper on the table.” Practicing these words now helps children follow directions, build comprehension, and develop important spatial awareness. And when the activities are hands-on and fun, the learning really sticks.
I hope your little learners enjoy these free pom pom mats! They’re such a simple way to make positional words meaningful. And if you’re ready for more, the full pack gives you everything you need to keep practicing all season long.