Spelling Word Games for Kids

Word games for kids are one of the best ways to reinforce spelling skills. Games provide a nice change of pace for everyone!

Here's a game that works well for kids who are old enough to enjoy some word play. It's fun to play, and students will grades 4-8 will catch on quickly!

Word Games for Kids: Fifty-Fifty

Learning words in context is always a key part of spelling words well. In this game, note that when a student spells a new word, she must also be able to use it correctly in a sentence.

Printable Rules, Word Cards and Answer Key

Players: 2

Skills: Spelling, word play, vocabulary

Grade level: 4-8 

Supplies: Word cards, one standard die, answer key, paper and pencil to keep score.

Goal: Be the first player to score 50 points

Here's a peek at our printable RULES. The full text also appears below.

To Play:

1. Print out our word cards and laminate if you like. Or, make your own word cards. (Our cards contain words from our 4th-5th grade lists. It’s best to choose words that aren’t too long.) Print the answer key for the teacher to keep at her desk as a reference.

2. Cut out the cards, shuffle, and place face down on the table.

3. Player 1 turns over a card and rolls the die.

4. He tries to form a new word, following these guidelines. He rearranges the new set of letters each time, as needed.

• If a 1 or 2 is rolled, add one letter to the word and earn 2 points       
• If a 3 or 4 is rolled, subtract a letter from the word and earn 4 points 
• If a 5 is rolled, change one letter to make another word and earn 5 points
• If a 6 is rolled, rearrange all the letters in the word and earn 6 points

5. Remember, each time a player forms a new word, she may rearrange the letters in the original word. Note: It is not always possible to form a new word. To earn points, the player must also use the new word correctly in a sentence.

6. Player 2 takes his turn in the same manner.

7. If a player is unable to form a new word following the guidelines above, he receives no points for that turn, and the other player takes his turn.

8. If a player draws LOSE A TURN, she does not make a new word on that turn.

9. If a player draws TAKE AN EXTRA TURN, he draws a word card, rolls a die, and earns points. Then he draws a second card, rolls and scores again.

10. The first player to score 50 points wins.

Here's a peek at the printable word cards and possible solutions:

Examples:

Player 1 draws the word QUIET and rolls a 3. He subtracts the E and spells QUIT. He says the sentence, I won't quit writing until I've finished the story.  He receives 4 points.

Player 2 draws the word COUCH and rolls a 1. She adds an R and spells CROUCH. She says, I saw the cat crouch behind the tree and then pounce on the mouse.  She receives 2 points.

More Spelling Word Games for Kids:

Word Sandwiches, The Vowel Game, and Words in a Word - Try these easy-to-conduct fun spelling games that also provide spelling and vocab enrichment.  There are three different games that require very little preparation. 

Spelling Bee Pop Quizzes - Try this fun assortment with your students this week! Help prepare them for the big spelling bees ahead!

Spelling Bee Games - Try one of our new Silent Spelling Bee variations. A fun--and quiet--twist on  a classic game! For grades 2-6.

Here's another fun spelling bee quiz you're sure to love!  Look carefully at three tricky words. Choose the ONE that contains a spelling error. Check your answer on the spot!

Hands Up and Hop to It!- These reusable, fun spelling activities will get your kids' attention, and keep it. Play these games in small groups or with the whole class. "Hop to It!" is a great one to take outdoors! For grades 1-4.

Compound Word Wizards - Whole class  or large-group activity for practicing compound  word. For grades 2 - 4.

Double the Fun - To double or not to double the final consonant when adding a suffix? Another great game for spelling fun!  For grades 3 - 5.

Consonants vs. Vowels   A challenging game for spelling review! It's a consonant player versus a vowel player. Who will be the winner? You'll need a Scrabble TM board and letter tiles to play this challenging game. Best for grades 4-6.

Shady Spelling  Students will "shade in" spaces on their game boards to win. I supply game boards at three different levels of difficulty for maximum flexibility, using the graded spelling lists on this website. Check out the rules for play, and make even more game boards to best suit your own group of students!

Mumbo-Jumbo  In this two-player game, students secretly pick a spelling word. Their opponent must guess the word, but in the process, the letters on the scrabble board look a lot like mumbo-jumbo!

Visit my YouTube Channel for fun spelling practice videos!

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AnyWord Spelling Practice Series Worksheets, Games and Prompts that work with almost ANY spelling words!

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Spelling Bee Toolboxes for Grades 3/5 and 6/8   All the resources you need for a successful bee! 

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Mammoth Spelling Bee Word Lists  for grades 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8  with sentences, definitions, and languages

Young Spellers Spelling Bee Word List for Grades 1 & 2 only 

100 Difficult Spelling Bee Words with Definitions, Sentences and Pronunciations, Volumes 1 and 2

600 Spelling Bee Words & Sentences for Gr 3/5 & 6/8 Extra words & sentences at two levels

101 Word Play Puzzlers   Discover the FUN of letters & words as you solve each unique puzzle. Great vocabulary & spelling practice!