Sight Word Games

Synergize Learning • September 21, 2021

Practicing sight words doesn't have to be boring and repetitive!

Daily sight word practice is one of the best ways to boost early reading skills, but it doesn't need to feel like a chore. Here are some creative ways to make sight word practice feel fresh and active for young learners!
 
All the games mentioned in this post require plain index cards. All index cards should be the same color and size, and have one word per card written in the same color marker on all cards. While it might seem more fun to use a variety of colors, it's important to keep the details consistent so that your child doesn't memorize cues from external stimuli for the word instead of the actual letters. (For example, we've had children say things like "I know this one says 'the' because it's the one on the green card!") 

For any of these activities, covering up the word and having your child repeat the letters while air-writing with their finger is an excellent add-on "bonus activity." For example, after saying the word the, they would say the letter names "t-h-e" while shaping the letters in the air with their finger. 

Sight Word Hop Scotch

Lay sight word cards on the floor in a fun trail or traditional hopscotch pattern, then take turns playing! When you or your child land on a word, burst it out loud! Try out different movement types too: bunny hop, crab walk, frog jump...

Sight Word Tic-Tac-Toe

 Lay out nine cards to form a tic-tac-toe board. When choosing where to put an X or an O, you or your child should burst the word out loud! Play the next round with different word cards, or with the same cards in different spots.

Sight Word Slap

Place a few sight word cards scattered on the table. Say a word and have your child “race” to find the correct one! Challenge them to see how quickly they can slap the correct card!

Sight Word Search

Head to the backyard or pick a room in the house and tape sight words to different spots on the wall, on chairs, etc. Say one of the sight words, and have your child run to the spot where that word is posted. Challenge them to see how fast they can find the correct word!