We can all agree that learning how to spell is important whether your little one is in kindergarten or 5th grade. Unfortunately, spelling practice can be really boring.
Just like with anything, when it’s fun, learning comes easier. We prove that all the time around here.
To get started, print out some spelling jokes; this will ensure you start off having lots of fun.
Spelling Activities for Kids that Make Spelling Fun!
There are a few guidelines I use when planning how to make spelling fun.
- Add movement.
- Make it a game.
- Pair it with a holiday.
- Use what I have.
- Get creative.
- Use some of their online time.
- Add it to family game night.
I’ll explain each of these guidelines a bit more and share a list of great activities to get your kids enjoying spelling word practice!
Add movement to the spelling word practice.
That’s pretty much my motto for everything. Since my kids are in constant bounce mode (are we the only ones?) I know that adding movement will always get their attention quickly. And adding movement to learning ensures that they will stay engaged longer. YAY!
- Spelling Hopscotch – The Measured Mom (Check out our math and movement hopscotch too.)
- ABC Slam – Toddler Approved
- Sight Word Treasure Hunt – Hands On: As We Grow
- Sight Word Soccer – Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Scoop and Spell – Imagination Tree
Make it a spelling game.
We are very serious game people. Which means there is almost always a game in play at our house. I love to throw in a spelling game once in a while. We can play, connect and improve their spelling skills. Win, win, win!
Extra Tip: Some of these spelling games are really great for transition moments. If you have your kids spelling list (or your own spelling lists), these games will be perfect when you’re waiting at a restaurant or killing time before school.
You might notice there are some classic games in this list. Which other games could you transform into games that include spelling?
- Spelling Word Tic Tac Toe – Confidence Meets Parenting
- Missing Letters Spelling Game – Imagination Soup
- Spelling Hangman – Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
- Party Blower Spelling Game – Kids Activities Blog
- Spelling Battleship – Deceptively Educational
Pair your spelling word fun with a holiday.
Kids love to celebrate holidays with activities and art projects. Why not extend the fun with some playful learning as well? You’re already celebrating anyway!
- Valentine Word Activity – Buggy and Buddy
- Easter Spelling Words with Plastic Eggs – A Mom with a Lesson Plan
- Spiderweb Spelling – Confidence Meets Parenting
- Spelling Turkeys – Confidence Meets Parenting
- Sight Word Christmas Tree – J Daniel 4s Mom
Use items you already have for spelling practice.
There is no need to go crazy creating fancy spelling activities for kids. These activities are fun ways to learn spelling words, fairly simple to prep, and use items you have around the house.
- Sensory Spelling Cards – Confidence Meets Parenting
- Spaghetti Spelling Fun – Confidence Meets Parenting
- Tinker Toy Spelling Practice – Confidence Meets Parenting
- Simple Spelling Puzzles – No Time For Flash Cards
- Seek and Find Spelling – What Do We Do All Day
Get Creative with spelling word activities and games.
Have fun when deciding what type of spelling activities your kids will love. Try to incorporate some of their favorite toys. objects or themes.
- Scrabble Spelling Practice – Confidence Meets Parenting
- Dot Sticker Spelling Scramble – School Time Snippets
- Spelling Garage – 123 Homeschool 4 Me
- Window Writing Spelling Words – Teach Mama
- Roll and Spell – Well Nurtured Plants and Pillars
- Use the words for an upcoming spelling test to create a word search using PuzzleMaker – Discovery Education
Check out our very favorite way to make spelling fun. Tic Tac Toe spelling
Spelling Games for Kids Online
You might want to add a little online spelling word practice to your hands-on spelling fun. Here are a couple of free online spelling games.
A fun way to get spelling into screen time would be for each spelling game they play; they add 5 minutes of free screen time.
Card and Board Spelling Games for Kids
Some of these broad games include word play, and others are strictly spelling. There are games for young children, and some that can increase the level of difficulty as your kids grow. These games are a great way to connect as a family and help improve your child’s spelling skills.
This list includes Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Confidence Meets Parenting.
- Zingo Word Builder
- Boggle Junior
- Snap It Up!
- Spelligator
- My First Bananagrams
- Upwords
- Scrabble Junior Game
What are some fun ways to teach spelling?
The best way to make spelling practice fun for your kids is to have fun with it yourself. Your energy and excitement will add to the experience. This post is full of fun spelling word games and activities; they will always be received better if you’re invested.
How do I help my child struggling with spelling?
Watching a child struggle with something as important as spelling can be really difficult. Using some of the resources in this blog post and picking games that align with your child’s interests is a great start to taking some of the pressure off the learning process. You might also share some of your own experiences. What have you struggled with in the past? How did you make progress with it?
Little M is always excited to see what type of fun spelling games I have up my sleeve, and I am always on the lookout for new spelling activities for kids. Share your favorites in the comments!
Thanks for including us. 🙂
A lot of great ideas in this post. Our favorite way to learn spelling is to play spelling bees. Sadly, my daughter is a much better speller when she takes time to think about the word she spells and still makes sloppy spelling mistakes when she is writing to “get it over with”.
Those are all great ideas thanks for sharing. I like to use these paint filled bags to practice spelling: http://scribbledoodleanddraw.blogspot.ca/2012/12/squeezing-in-some-fun.html and I have more ideas here http://scribbledoodleanddraw.blogspot.ca/2014/02/spelling-success.html
Thanks so much for including us!! So many more great ideas to use with my son. Pinned!
Yay! I’m glad you like the list. Thanks for pinning!
Jillian (or Jill),
Great write up. I love the list. Especially the spelling hopscotch, spelling word tic-tac-toe (my daughters love playing this anyway), and spelling hangman. What really great ideas! Thank you for such a useful post, I really enjoyed reading it.
Great ideas here! I have a wonderful product that is fantastic for helping kids learn spelling!
20 ready to print word work/spelling worksheets! Can be used with ANY list of 15 words 🙂
Check it out!
Word Work Worksheets
So many awesome ideas! Can’t wait to try a few of these out!
These ideas sound so fun! We’re trying to give dd a head start before she starts school and some of the more physical activities sound like a good way to teach spelling to a younger child.