Adventures with the Letter O

Oh! Let's observe the outstanding, open letter O! It's the start of oceans, owls, and opening presents. We'll learn its round shape and the two amazing sounds it makes.

Getting to Know the Letter O:

The letter O is an open and outstanding vowel! Its shape is one of the simplest and most satisfying to draw—it's a big, open circle, like your mouth when you are surprised or when you sing a beautiful note. Let's trace its perfectly round shape in the air together. Just one continuous, smooth line, with no corners at all! The letter O is another vowel superstar with two main sounds. Its short sound is 'ah', like in the words 'octopus' and 'otter'. Its long sound is when it proudly says its own name, 'oh', like in 'open' and 'ocean'. Can you make a surprised 'oh!' sound?

- The Whizki Learning Team

Outstanding Words that Start with O

Opening up the world of words offers your child endless opportunities for expression and understanding. The letter O brings us so many common and important words. Here are some of our favorites, with rich definitions and fun conversation starters.

Nouns Starting with O

Owl
A bird with a flat face, large eyes that face forward, and a hooked beak. Owls are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. They are known for their wise appearance and their soft 'hoo-hoo' sound.
If an owl could give you one piece of wise advice, what would it be?
Octopus
A sea animal with a soft, round body and eight long arms called tentacles. Octopuses are incredibly intelligent creatures that can change their color to hide and can even squeeze through tiny spaces. They are masters of disguise!
If you had eight arms like an octopus, what amazing things could you do all at once?
Ocean
A very large expanse of sea, specifically one of the Earth's major divisions. The ocean is a huge and mysterious world, full of amazing creatures like whales and jellyfish. Its powerful waves are beautiful to watch and listen to.
What is your favorite sound that you hear when you are at the ocean?
Orange
A round, juicy citrus fruit with a tough, bright reddish-yellow rind. Oranges are also the name of that same beautiful color! They are full of Vitamin C, which helps keep our bodies healthy and strong.
Besides an orange, what is your favorite thing that is the color orange?
Ostrich
A very large African bird with a long neck and legs, which can run at high speeds but cannot fly. Ostriches lay the largest eggs of any living bird. They are the biggest and fastest birds on land!
How fast do you think an ostrich can run?
Otter
A playful, furry animal with short legs and a long tail that lives in and near water. Otters are excellent swimmers and are known for their charming habit of floating on their backs while holding hands with other otters.
Why do you think otters like to hold hands while they float?
Oven
An enclosed compartment in a stove used for baking or roasting food. The oven is like a warm, magic box that turns gooey cookie dough into delicious cookies and helps us cook cozy family meals. It must always be operated with a grown-up.
What is the most delicious thing that has ever come out of our oven?
Office
A room or a building where people do professional work, often at a desk with a computer. An office is a place for focused work and collaboration with teammates. It can also be a special room right in your own house.
If you had your own office, what important work would you do there?
Onion
A vegetable with a pungent taste and smell, composed of several concentric layers. Onions are a base for so many delicious dishes around the world, adding a special flavor to soups and sauces. They have a funny trick of sometimes making our eyes water when we chop them!
What does an onion's papery skin feel like?
Opening
A gap or aperture allowing access or passage. An opening can be a doorway, a hole in a fence, or the opening of a jar. It's a space that invites you to look through, go through, or discover what's on the other side.
If you saw a mysterious opening in a big tree, would you peek inside?

Verbs Starting with O

Open
To move something so that it is no longer closed, allowing access. You can open a door to welcome a friend, open a book to start a new adventure, or open a gift to find a surprise. It's an action that often leads to a wonderful discovery.
When you open a new book, what are you hoping to find inside?
Offer
To present or propose something for someone to accept or reject as so desired. You can offer a friend a cookie to share, or offer to help someone who is struggling. It is a kind and generous action that shows you are thinking of others.
What is one thing you could offer to help with around the house today?
Order
To give an authoritative instruction to do something. It can also mean to arrange things in a neat, logical sequence, like putting numbers in order. Keeping your toys in order helps you find them easily.
Let's put these three books in order from smallest to biggest.
Owe
To have an obligation to pay or repay something, often money, in return for something received. It can also mean to feel you should give someone gratitude or respect because they have helped you. For example, 'I owe you a thank you'.
If a friend shares their snack with you, what is a kind thing you owe them in return?
Own
To have something as one's own; to possess it. You own your toys and your clothes. It's important to take good care of the things you own, but it's even more important to be good at sharing them.
What is your most favorite thing that you own?
Observe
To notice or perceive something by watching carefully. Scientists observe animals in the wild to learn about them. When we observe the world around us, we can discover amazing details we might have missed otherwise.
Let's sit by the window and quietly observe the birds. What do you see them doing?
Obey
To follow a command, instruction, or request. It's very important to obey safety rules, like holding a grown-up's hand when you cross the street. Obeying rules helps to keep everyone safe and happy.
Why is it an important rule to obey when we are near a busy road?
Occupy
To fill or take up a space or time. Your toys might occupy the floor of your room. A fun activity can occupy your afternoon. It means to be present and active in a certain place or for a period of time.
What fun activity should occupy our time this afternoon?
Organize
To arrange things into a structured and logical whole. You can organize your crayons by color, or organize your books by size. Organizing is a great skill that makes a messy space feel calm and easy to use.
How should we organize your stuffed animals so they are all cozy and neat?

Adjectives Starting with O

Old
Having lived for a long time; no longer young. The opposite of new or young. An old tree can be wise and beautiful, and an old, well-loved storybook is full of happy memories. Old things often have amazing stories to tell.
What is the oldest thing we have in our house?
Open
Not closed or blocked up; allowing access. An open door is welcoming, and an open book is ready to be read. It's also wonderful to have an 'open mind', which means you are ready to listen to new and interesting ideas.
What does it mean to be an open and friendly person?
Orange
A bright, warm color that is a mix of red and yellow. Carrots, pumpkins, and of course, oranges are all the color orange. It's a cheerful and energetic color that can make you feel happy.
Let's find three things in this room that are the color orange.
One
The lowest cardinal number; half of two. It's the very first number we use to start counting. It can also mean 'a single' thing. You are the one and only you in the entire world, which makes you very special.
If you could have only one superpower, what would it be?
Only
And no one or nothing more besides. For example, 'the only cookie left'. It describes something that is unique or singular in a situation. It helps us point out what is special or what is remaining.
If you could only eat one food for a whole day, what would you choose?
Other
Used to refer to a person or thing that is different from one already mentioned. It's an important word for making comparisons and choices. Being kind to other people is a very important part of being a good friend.
Would you like this apple, or the other one?
Opposite
Completely different from something else. Hot is the opposite of cold, and big is the opposite of small. Understanding opposites is a key part of learning how to describe the world and think logically.
What is the opposite of 'happy'?
Ordinary
With no special or distinctive features; normal. An ordinary day might not have a big party or adventure, but it can still be full of small, wonderful moments. Finding joy in ordinary things is a secret to happiness.
What is one ordinary, everyday thing that makes you feel happy?
Official
Relating to an authority or public body and its duties. An official rule is one that everyone has to follow. A police officer wears an official uniform. It's a word for something that is proper and has authority.
If you were the official rule-maker for a new game, what would be the most important rule?
Outgoing
Friendly and socially confident. An outgoing person enjoys meeting new people and is comfortable in a group. It's a wonderful personality trait that is full of bright, friendly energy.
What is a friendly thing an outgoing person might do at a playground?

Adverbs Starting with O

Often
Frequently; many times. It describes something that happens on a regular basis. For example, 'We often read a story before bed.' It's a useful word for talking about our habits and routines.
What is one activity that you wish we did more often?
Once
On one occasion only. For example, 'I have only been to the zoo once.' It can also mean 'at some time in the past', like in the opening of a fairy tale: 'Once upon a time...'
Tell me about one time you did something for the very first time.
Only
And no one or nothing else. For example, 'I only want to play with the blue car.' It helps us specify exactly what we mean. It is used to show that something is singular and exclusive.
If you can only choose one, would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
Outside
In the open air; not in a building. The opposite of inside. Playing outside is a wonderful way to get fresh air, sunshine, and lots of space to run and be active. There are so many adventures waiting outside.
What is your favorite game to play when we are outside?
Over
Extending directly upward from, or above. A bird can fly over our heads. It can also mean 'finished', like 'the game is over'. It's a very versatile word that helps us describe position and state.
Let's see if you can jump over this pillow without touching it!

Practice the Letter O at Home (No Screens Needed!)

The best learning happens through play. Here are a few simple, screen-free ideas to continue your letter O adventure together and make learning a part of your daily life.

Octopus Obstacle Course

~1
This is a fantastic gross motor activity that is perfect for a day stuck indoors. It connects the letter 'O' to the amazing 'Octopus' while practicing counting and coordination. First, explain that an octopus has eight arms! Then, design an obstacle course together using pillows, blankets, and chairs. The challenge is that to get through the course, you have to move like an octopus, using all your 'arms' and legs to slither and crawl. To add another layer, place eight small objects (like blocks or stuffed animals) along the path that your little octopus must collect before they finish. This game is a silly, full-body workout that reinforces the number eight and encourages creative movement and problem-solving.

Orange Sensory Art

~2
Engage the senses of touch, smell, and sight with this vibrant, tactile art project. It connects the letter 'O' to the color and fruit 'Orange'. You'll need an orange, some orange paint, and a large piece of paper. First, just explore the orange itself. What does the skin feel like? What does it smell like? Then, an adult can carefully cut the orange in half. Look at the beautiful pattern inside! Now, use the orange halves as stamps. Dip them in the orange paint and press them onto the paper. You can also use your fingers to paint. This activity is less about the final product and more about the joyful, messy process of exploring textures, smells, and the beautiful, bright color orange. It's a multi-sensory way to make the letter 'O' memorable.

The Opposites Game

~3
This is a fun and fast-paced language game that builds cognitive flexibility and vocabulary. It connects the letter 'O' to the important concept of 'Opposites' and requires no materials at all. The game is simple: you say a word, and your child has to shout out its opposite as fast as they can. Start with easy ones: 'I say hot, you say... COLD!', 'I say big, you say... SMALL!'. You can get more complex with words like open/close, on/off, over/under, old/new. This back-and-forth game is a fantastic brain workout that feels just like play. It helps your child build a deeper understanding of language by learning how words relate to each other, a key skill for logical thinking and communication.

Your Alphabet Adventure Map

Think of this as your family's personal map to the world of letters. Each letter below is a gateway to its own unique adventure, filled with fun words, hands-on activities, and printable worksheets. Click on any letter to begin exploring its sounds, shapes, and the stories it can tell.

Join the Screen-Free Movement.

Get exclusive activities, expert tips, and inspiration for a more meaningful, offline family life.

At Whizki Learning, we believe in the magic of unplugged learning. It's a chance for kids to build real-world focus, develop their imagination, and strengthen fine motor skills away from distracting screens. We’re a team of parents and educators pouring our hearts into creating beautiful, screen-free workbooks that spark real curiosity and joy. Each one is proudly printed in the USA, because we know quality you can feel makes all the difference in a child's hands.All characters, names and events presented on the site are fictitious, any similarities with events, real people, living or dead, are purely coincidental.
Information
Copyright © 2025 Whizki Learning. All rights reserved.