Inference Peg Cards Inferencing Hands-On Activity

Use these inference peg cards with your early readers. They have been created using ‘workers’ or people that are going ‘somewhere’. The students need to use the image of the person, look at what they’re wearing, what they may be holding and make an inference about where they may be headed. 

For example: 

• The snowboarder who has a snowboard, goggles and a beanie would most likely be heading to the sky slopes rather than singing on a stage. 
• The person dressed as a pilot with headphones, and pilot suit would most likely be heading to the airport, rather than the circus. 

Inference Activities for Early Readers

Use the Inference Peg Cards as a hands-on, interactive way to help early readers practice making inferences from visual clues. These activities focus on building students’ ability to use what they see (clothing, objects, settings) along with what they already know.

• Peg and Explain – Students choose a peg card, attach a peg to the option they think is correct (e.g., where the person is going), and explain their thinking: “I think they are going to the snow because they have a snowboard and goggles.”
• Clue Detective – Encourage students to closely examine their peg card and identify clues:
  • What is the person wearing?
  • What are they holding?
  • What job or activity does this remind you of?
• Turn and Talk – In pairs, students discuss their peg card before placing their peg. This helps build oral language:
  • “I agree because…”
  • “I think differently because…”
• Create a Story – Students pick a peg card and extend their inference into a simple oral or written sentence: “The pilot is going to the airport to fly a plane.”

These peg card activities make inferencing visual, tactile, and engaging, helping early readers connect clues with meaning while building confidence in explaining their thinking.

Download and Make Inferences Today!

Use the dropdown menu to choose between the easy to print PDF or the editable Google Slide version of this inference activity.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter collaborator. 

More Inference Activities for the Classroom

Are you looking for more inference activities for the classroom? We have you covered…

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Inference Cut and Paste Worksheet

Use this cut-and-paste worksheet to practice inferring using images with your early reader.