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Phonics is one of the five essential components of the science of reading, along with phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Phonics activities help young learners break words into their constituent sounds so they build their literacy skills, bit by bit. Here are some of our favorite ways to teach these key skills.

1. Sing a phonics song

Singing songs is such a fun and effective way to learn! Kids will love to watch and sing along, and might not even realize they're learning along the way.

Learn more: 15 Phonics Songs for Kids at We Are Teachers

2. Color in the beginning sounds

Most kids start learning phonics by mastering the beginning sounds of words. Have kids color in the words that start with the matching sound on these cute and free worksheets.

Learn more: Beginning Sounds Coloring Pages at The Measured Mom

3. Use Google Slides

Google Slides has tons of fun phonics activities kids can use in the classroom or at home.

Learn more: 18 Interactive Google Slides for Teaching Phonics and Sight Words at We Are Teachers

4. Hang phonics anchor charts

When it comes to phonics, there's a lot to learn. Post anchor charts around the room to help kids remember important rules like silent E, vowel blends, and hard and soft C and G.

Learn more: 20 Perfect Anchor Charts for Teaching Phonics and Blends at We Are Teachers

5. Build words with a chart of beginning sounds

Grab this free printable chart and print out copies for your students to use with their phonics activities. There's a version for rimes too.

Learn more: Beginning Sounds Chart at This Reading Mama

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6. Learn digraphs with clip wheels

Combine fine motor skills practice with phonics work with these free beginning digraph wheels. Tip: Add small dots on the back to mark the right answers so kids can self-correct their work.

Learn more: Digraph Wheels at Playdough to Plato

7. Slap the letter sounds

Sounding out words letter by letter is a lot more fun when you slap each letter with a flyswatter! This is a great idea for active learners.

Learn more: Letter Sound Slap at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

8. Walk the word

This one will also keep active learners moving and happy! Write words in sidewalk chalk, then walk (or hop or skip) along them, sounding the word out along the way. Simple but fun!

Learn more: Gross Motor Phonics Game: Walk the Word at Coffee Cups and Crayons

9. Fill in the missing letters

This active game combines a scavenger hunt with phonics! Hide sticky notes around the room with various vowels. Then, write CVC words with the vowels missing. Have kids hunt for the missing sounds and fill them in. Fun!

Learn more: Missing Sounds Reading Activity at Busy Toddler

10. Just swap one letter

As students move from box to box, they change one letter to make the new word represented by the picture. They might need to change the first, middle, or last letter, so it's a real challenge!

Learn more: Just Swap One at This Reading Mama

11. Make magic spoons

Pick up a pack of plastic spoons at the dollar store, then use them to practice building words by combining beginning sounds with word endings.

Learn more: Activities To Teach Phonics and Math at Education to the Core

12. Toss and blend with plastic cups

Grab a stack of plastic cups and some Ping-Pong balls for this fun phonics game. Label the cups with different letter blends and set them out (tape them down if they tend to fall over). Kids toss a ball into a cup, then come up with a word that uses that letter blend to earn a point.

Learn more: Toss and Blend at Education.com

13. Flip the pages

Divide the pages of a small notebook into thirds, then write letters on each page. Flip them to form new words.

Learn more: Phoneme Substitution Activities at Tickled Pink in Primary

14. Mix and match cups to make words

If you've still got some cups left over, label them with more letters or letter blends, then use them to mix and match words. This is an especially fun way to work on CVC and sight words.

Learn more: CVC Cups at Inspired Elementary

15. Hack pool noodles into phonics tools

This has got to be one of our favorite phonics activities. Cut a pool noodle into pieces and label it with letters. Then stack and spin for learning fun!

Learn more: Pool Noodle Phonics at We Are Teachers

16. Spin and rhyme

Here's a different spin (pun intended!) on Pool Noodle Phonics. All you need is a cardboard tube, a wire pants hanger, scissors, and a marker to make this fun DIY rhyming activity.

Learn more: Spin and Rhyme at No Time for Flash Cards

17. Make some phonics cubes

Slide the free printable inserts into a set of photo cubes, then roll until you get the correct combination of letter and word ending.

Learn more: Phonics Cubes at This Reading Mama

18. Use paint stirrers to make word pull-outs

These clever phonics tools are easy to make using paint stirrer sticks and paper towel tubes. Simply slide the stick in and out to make new words!

Learn more: Word Family Pull-Out Activity at I Can Teach My Child

19. Play a flip-top phonics game

If you go through packages of wipes like most parents do, you'll appreciate this idea. Save the flip tops and use them for DIY phonics activities.

Learn more: Flip Top Phonics Games for Kids at No Time for Flash Cards

20. Use a pocket chart for phonics activities

Here's another reason teachers love pocket charts: They're great for phonics centers. Sort and match cards to practice beginning sounds, blends, short and long vowels, and so much more.

Learn more: Short A Activities and Resources at Miss Giraffe's Class

21. Compete at Blends and Digraphs Bingo

Every kid loves a good game of bingo! Snag these free printable bingo cards and use them to practice blends and digraphs.

Learn more: Blends and Digraph Bingo at The Measured Mom

22. Toss some phonics water balloons

This one almost seems too fun to count as learning! Tape up beginning sounds, then toss water balloons to complete the words.

Learn more: Water Balloon Phonics at Mess for Less

23. Race to the Top with blends and digraphs

Play this free printable game to practice consonant blends. Toss a chip onto the board and say that word out loud. Then move the counter for the correct blend up one space. First to the top wins!

Learn more: Blends and Digraphs Games at This Reading Mama

24. Try locks and keys to learn phonics

This self-correcting phonics activity is also a good way to practice fine motor skills ... and a lot of fun to boot! Label keys with beginning sounds and locks with word endings, then match them up and try the key to see if you're right.

Learn more: Unlock and Learn Game at We Are Teachers

25. Play Phonogram Connect 4

Draw a word card and find an open phonogram slot on the board. Your goal is to get four in a row!

Learn more: Phonogram Connect Four at Mrs. T's First Grade Class

26. Teach them the Soft C & G Chant

Simple little chants like this will help kids remember some of those confusing language rules. Pair it with other favorites like " I before E, except after C."

Learn more: Soft C and G at This Reading Mama

27. Mix, color, and spell

We can't get enough of games that reinforce CVC words with short vowels-it's such an important early literacy skill! Practice identifying and distinguishing between vowels by coloring in the middle sound from pictures of CVC words.

Learn more: Teaching CVC Words at Susan Jones Teaching

28. Write the Room: Digraphs

Use this fun little letter scavenger hunt to move around the room to search for pictures with digraphs. First, mark the ones you find with a dot marker and then use another sheet to write the digraphs.

Learn more: Beginning Digraphs Write the Room at ABC's of Literacy

29. Use disappearing ink for letter formation

One of the first keys to early reading success is letter identification and formation. Keep it fresh by using "disappearing ink" (aka water) so students have to trace letters multiple times to prevent them from disappearing too fast. With so few materials and such high engagement, what's not to love?

Learn more: 3 Simple Play-Based Phonics Activities at Research and Play

30. Do word sorts

Word sorts are great for comparing word patterns that make the same sound, like vowel teams. They can also help reinforce so many different phonics skills, making them the perfect activity that can be easy differentiated for learners of all stages.

Learn more: Using Word Sorts for Phonics Instruction at Mrs. Winter's Bliss

31. Roll and Read

Roll a die and read the word from the corresponding column. Play with a partner or do it solo by coloring in the words as you read them.

Learn more: Lesson 79 Roll and Read at UFLI. While you're there, check out the UFLI free lesson resources, which include decodable passages and games for almost every phonics skill!

32. Roll letter dice

A perfect DIY idea for old blocks! Use three blocks and write consonants on two of them and vowels on the other. Have some fun rolling and blending CVC words.

Learn more: DIY Phonics Games at Early Impact Learning

33. Sort syllable types

If you are teaching the different syllable types, this word sort helps students practice their knowledge of the six types and shows you what they know.

Learn more: Six-Way Syllable Sort at Florida Center for Reading Research. Also, check out the many other phonics resources available by grade level: Kindergarten and First Grade or Second and Third Grades.

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33 Fun Phonics Activities and Games for Early Readers

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Help kids learn to read with phonics activities that break words into their basic sounds, like phonemes, digraphs, diphthongs, and more.

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Easy Phonics Teaching Tips for Kindergarten ESL Teachers, awesome phonics teaching tips for beginner

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Muffin Tin Toss

Set it up: Write word families (such as -ake and -ing) on 2-inch circle cutouts. Place the cutouts in the 12 spaces of a muffin tin. Place the tin and a container of buttons or counters in a center. Add a clipboard, a recording sheet, and pencils.
Play it: Invite children to take turns tossing a button or counter into the tin. Challenge each child to come up with a word that uses the word family written in the tin where the button lands, and then write the word on a recording sheet. For example,
if the button lands in the tin with the - ake cutout, a student might write take or cake. Allow each child to play several times.

Valentine Candy Box

Set it up: Write word families such as - ate and - ose on the lids of empty heart-shaped candy boxes. Display the boxes in a center. Make copies of a candy-shaped template and place those in the center, too.
Play it: Challenge children to write words on the templates belonging to the word families written on the boxes. Have students place their vocabulary "candy" into the right boxes.

Word Building Blocks

Set it up: Write a different word family (- all, - at, etc.) on each side of a few cubes or blocks. Write a different consonant on each side of three additional blocks. Place the blocks in a center with a clipboard, a recording sheet, and a pencil.
Play it: Have children assemble as many different words as they can with one consonant and one word-family block. Ask them to write their words on the recording sheet. Challenge students to come up with at least six different words for each word family using all the consonant blocks.

Silent E Spinner

Set it up: Push a brass brad through the center of a paper plate. Use the brad to attach a paper strip to the plate's underside. The end of the strip should fold over the edge of the plate. Write the letter e on the folded-over portion. Radiating around the brad, write various words that form a new word when a silent e is added (e.g., tub, hat, rat, kit).
Play it: Invite partners to take turns moving the e and reading the word beside it with and without the added letter. Discuss how the silent e turns the vowel from a short to a long sound, or makes us say the vowel's "name." You can also make - ing, - y, and - ed spinners.

Long I Fries

Set it up: Ask a fast-food restaurant for unused french-fry containers. Write one of the phonemes that make a long i sound (e.g., - igh, - y, and - ie) on each of the containers. Write words that contain the long i sound (such as sight, fly, and lie) on yellow paper "fries."
Play it: Have children sort the fries into the appropriate container, then exchange containers with a partner to check their answers.

Snowflake Sorting

Set it up: Write different vowel sounds on recycled snowman or other holiday gift bags (e.g., long a, short a, long e, short e, long i, short i). Write words that contain these vowel sounds on paper snowflakes. Place the snowflakes and the bags in a center.
Play it: Challenge children to sort the snowflakes into the appropriate bags. You can also leave blank snowflakes and pencils in the center for children to add their own words.

The Phonics Groundhog

Set it up: Make a simple groundhog puppet out of a paper bag (or use a mask or stuffed animal).
Play it: Kneel behind a puppet theater or counter. Tell children that the Phonics Groundhog comes out of hibernation only if he hears words with a long a or that belong to the -ing word family (you decide the rule). Have children take turns calling out words. If the word follows the rule, pop the groundhog up from the theater. If it doesn't follow the rule, encourage the child to modify the word until it fits (for example, you might say, "Good try, but map doesn't belong in the - op word family. What's another word that starts with m and rhymes with top?") When children have gotten the hang of it, invite them to take turns being the groundhog. Later this spring, have the groundhog become a phonics-loving bunny or butterfly.

Word-Family Eggs

Set it up: Write different word families on plastic eggs. Put a random number of beads inside each egg. Place the eggs
in a center with a clipboard, a recording sheet, and a pencil.
Play it: Invite students to open the eggs one at a time and count the number of beads inside. Then challenge children to write the same number of words from that word family on the recording sheet. For example, if there are three beads in the - ing egg, the student might write sing, wing, and ring. Have partners compare their word lists. Did they come up with the same words?

Egg Carton Scavenger Hunt

Set it up: Using a marker, write different word families, blends, or beginning or ending sounds at the bottom of the cups of a clean egg carton.
Play it: Invite students to gather small objects from around your classroom (or from a treasure chest) that "fit" each cup in the egg carton. For example, a student might place a pencil in a cup labeled p or a mini stapler in a cup labeled - er. Invite students to check their work with a partner, then pass the carton on to the next student.

Web Phonics Practice

Pull up one of these terrific sites on your interactive whiteboard to create another instant center.

Teachers love Starfall for good reason - kids can practice reading the alphabet, phonemes, vocabulary, and simple stories for free.

Check out this student activity to find a fun phonics matching game that's just right for kindergartners.

Scholastic's Let's Find Out magazine for kindergartners offers bonus language-arts practice.

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Make Your Own Phonics Games | Scholastic

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Set it up: Write word families (such as -ake and -ing) on 2-inch circle cutouts. Place the cutouts in the 12 spaces of a muffin tin. Place the tin and a container of buttons or counters in a center. Add a clipboard, a recording sheet, and pencils.

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Sample Lesson: Blending and Segmentation

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Sample Lesson: Blending and Segmentation

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Blending and segmentation (Phonics: Stage 4)

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Letter Reversals - Overcoming Letter Reversals

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Picture Sorting for Teaching Initial Consonants

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Unlock the Magic of Reading with Phonics Games

Understanding the world of words and sounds can be a thrilling journey for young learners. At its core, this journey involves a technique that educators and parents have trusted for decades: phonics. In the realm of phonics, a variety of interactive and enjoyable tools have emerged-phonics games. So, what are these games, and how do they differ from phonetics games? Let's dive in!

Why Choose Phonics Games for Your Child?

Games for Phonics: More Than Just Fun

Games on phonics are not merely about entertainment. They are structured tools designed to make the learning process engaging. These games utilize sounds, letters, and word recognition techniques to build a solid foundation for reading.

The Power of Interaction with Phonics Game

A regular phonics game often involves interaction. Whether it's on a computer, a tablet, or a board game, children have the chance to actively participate, make choices, and receive immediate feedback, making game phonics an effective learning method.

The Difference between Phonics Games and Phonetics Games

At first glance, the terms phonics and phonetics might seem interchangeable. However, there's a distinct difference:

Phonics: This is a method of teaching reading and writing by developing learners' phonemic awareness. Phonics games specifically aim to teach kids the sounds associated with letters and letter combinations.

Phonetics: Phonetics deals with the study of sounds in human speech. Games associated with phonetics are more concerned with understanding and recognizing all speech sounds. So, when we speak of phonics games not phonetic games, we are emphasizing the focus on teaching reading.

The distinction is essential. For children just stepping into the world of reading and writing, phonics games are the more suitable choice.

Features of Effective Phonics Games

Variety in Phonic Games

A wide array of phonic games exists, catering to different learning styles. From digital games to physical board games, the choices are vast. Some games might focus on letter-sound associations, while others may emphasize blending sounds to form words.

Engaging and Rewarding

A successful phonics game captures a child's attention. It provides challenges and rewards that motivate the child to keep playing and, by extension, keep learning.

Progressive Learning

Top-quality games for phonics should offer progressive levels, ensuring that as the child masters one level, they can move on to more challenging tasks.

Relevance to Age

It's crucial for phonic games to be age-appropriate. What captivates a preschooler might not necessarily hold the attention of a second-grader.

Exploring Phonics Games on Kizphonics

For a curated selection of phonics games, visit Kizphonics. They offer a diverse range of games tailored to various age groups, ensuring that your child gets the best tools for their reading journey.

FAQs: All About Phonics Games

1. What are phonics games?

Phonics games are interactive tools designed to teach children the sounds associated with letters and combinations of letters. They help kids build a foundation for reading.

2. How do phonics games differ from phonetics games?

While phonics focuses on teaching reading by developing learners' phonemic awareness, phonetics is about the study of sounds in human speech. Phonetics games are more concerned with understanding all speech sounds.

3. Are digital phonics games better than traditional board games?

Both digital games and traditional board games have their merits. Digital games can offer more interactive features and immediate feedback, while board games can promote social interaction. It's about finding what best suits your child's needs.

4. How often should my child play phonics games?

Regular exposure is beneficial. You could incorporate phonics games into daily or weekly routines, ensuring your child has a mix of playtime and structured learning.

5. Where can I find quality phonics games?

You can explore a vast collection of games tailored for different age groups on Kizphonics.

Conclusion: Games with Phonics - A Launchpad to Literacy

In the end, it's all about nurturing a love for reading in children. Phonics games, with their engaging and interactive nature, serve as a bridge, making the journey of learning to read not just essential but enjoyable. So, as you embark on this adventure with your young one, remember, it's not just about the destination but the joy of the journey. Embrace the world of phonics games and watch your child's literacy skills soar.

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Phonics Games for Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade Reading Games

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Phonics Games by Level, Preschool Reading Games, Kindergarten Reading Games, 1st Grade Reading Games, 2nd Grade Reading Games. Covering, Letters of the Alphabet, Short Vowels, Beginning and Ending Consonants, Long Vowels, Vowel Digraphs, S Blends, R Blends, L Blends, R-controlled Vowels, Special Vowels, Diphthongs and more..

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Kindergarten phonics activities for reading: memory game

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Teacher trainer, Freia Layfield, shares her top tips for teaching phonics for reading to kindergarten children and demonstrates a useful memory game. For more video tips on teaching English to very young learners, as well as 21st century skills, visit https://elt.oup.com/feature/global/21st-century-skills-kindergarten

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Digital Flashcards - Teach Your Monster to Read

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Inspire learning with our magical games for kids.

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These lessons are designed to teach new learners to read by building a phonics based foundation. The beginning reader can use the consonant charts and the vowel charts to learn the basic sounds and spelling of letter combinations. The lessons are arranged in a format that can be easily used by parents and teachers as instructional materials for the purpose of developing basic reading and spelling skills. They would also work well for Homeschool and tutoring. Phonics skills are key elements to the successful development of basic reading and spelling skills. Learning basic math facts using dominoes is included as well as timed addition and subtraction drills. The lessons are also available at freephonicslessons.com .

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These lessons are designed to teach new learners to read by building a phonics based foundation. The beginning reader can use the consonant charts and the vowel charts to learn the basic sounds and spelling of letter combinations.

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Award-winning reading solution with thousands of leveled readers, lesson plans, worksheets and assessments to teach guided reading, reading proficiency and comprehension to K-5 students

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Our mission is to grow reading and spelling superheroes with the power of phonics. Our core resources are free for teachers and - when you are ready - our paid add-ons (Child Accounts and Phonics Lessons) will rocket-power your students' reading and spelling!

The Free Resources

As a teacher you have access to our Learning Library of free core resources:

850 Phonics games for whole class teaching

Play with your whole class on your interactive whiteboard or a computer, our games use the synthetic phonics approach to cover the sounds, reading, spelling, camera/tricky words and sentences.
Learn more about our games.
200 Worksheets

We give you both supported and independent synthetic phonics worksheets to use as a classroom activity or as homework.

I work 1:1 with supported sheets, play the associated game and then the child works on the independent sheets so that I can check their understanding.
Loraine Ledwell, St Clare's School, UK
Learn more about our worksheets.
Assessment tools

Both pre- and post-assessments to ensure every child is on target towards successful reading and spelling using synthetic phonics.

The assessments are incredibly thorough. They've saved me hours of pain!
Jonny Hammond, St Anthony's School, Australia
Learn more about our assessment tools.
Paid Add-ons

You can trial our add-ons to see how we will rocket-power your phonics lesson, children's results and parental engagement - see the Phonics Hero difference!

Individual Child Accounts for home and school practice

Phonics Hero's 850 games make screen time into learning to read and spell time. At home or school, on a computer or our app, kids love working at their own pace to complete their superhero phonics adventure. Your students won't notice the extra 39 hours of systematic synthetic phonics practice, but teachers will notice the leap in reading and spelling skills.

My students are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to play the games at home. I must say that this program is making such a difference with my students.
Hajir Alsalami, Australia
Learn more about Child Accounts.
No-Prep Phonics Lessons

Never prepare for a phonics lesson again! Our interactive Phonics Lessons make preparing for and teaching the sounds, blending and segmenting effortless. You'll get:

Unlimited access to the click-and-go lessons

3,500 decodable words with sounds, blending, segmenting and picture support

1,000 nonsense words to really check your class can decode

2,000 word and picture supported sentences, to apply children's learning

All words and sentences differentiated so you can effortlessly switch up or down your lesson

Learn more about our no-prep Phonics Lessons.

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Our mission is to grow reading and spelling superheroes with the power of phonics. Our core resources are free for teachers and - when you are ready - our paid add-ons (Child Accounts and Phonics Lessons) will rocket-power your students' reading and spelling!