Reading Games

Reading games are a great way to get children excited about reading. Young children love to learn to read new words, and there is no better way to practice reading those “new words,” than the use of games! There are even fun ways to use learning games to initially teach children to read new words, develop phonics skills, learn the alphabet, as well as other important early learning skills.

Reading Games are FUN!

Word "BINGO"

Game Pieces:

1. Blank “BINGO” card boards Download a FREE BINGO Game

2. Word Cards 2”x2”(15 card set)

3. “BINGO” chips, coins, jelly beans, or any small objects to place over words that are called.

Game Setup: Each player places the 2”x2” word cards on top of the 15 blank spaces on the “BINGO” card boards.

Playing the Game:

1. Shuffle then draw a word from the pile of 4”x6” word cards.

2. As the word is read aloud, place a “BINGO” bean or jelly bean on top of the corresponding word.

3. Repeat this process until someone calls “BINGO” (any completed row of 3, or 5 words diagonally).

4. Celebrate when someone gets “BINGO.”

Variations:

1. Mix two or more thematic sets of word cards together for a more challenging game.

Additional Resources:Create additional 2”x2” thematic word sets.

Extra Tips/Suggestions and Comments: Getting “BINGO” prizes for the “winners” of this reading game adds excitement to the thrill of winning!

Word Match

Game Pieces:

1. Word Cards (5 – 15 cards) Download FREE Animal Word Cards

2. Picture Cards (5 – 15 cards) Download FREE Animal Picture Cards

3. Objects (see Reading Game Variations below)

Game Setup: Place the picture cards; face up on the play area. For example: Place picture cards (elephant, giraffe, tiger, hippopotamus, zebra, etc…) face up on the play area or objects (toy animals in this case).

Playing the Game:

1. Hand your child one word card or let him choose one.

2. Ask your child to, “find this word.”

3. Your child then places the word card on top of the corresponding picture card.

4. Celebrate by cheering excitedly when your child matches the word and picture cards.

5. Repeat this process until all matches have been made.

Variations:

1. Use actual objects that match the word cards instead of picture cards. For example: Use a toy lion, tiger, elephant etc…that correspond with the various matching word cards (lion, tiger, elephant). Use pieces of fruit when teaching the words apple, banana, and orange etc…

Additional Resources:

1. Plastic toy animals or stuffed animals (when you child is learning to read “animal” words).

Extra Tips/Suggestions and Comments:This activity is great when children are first learning a new set of words. Coach your children, giving hints as needed. Remind them to look at the words written on the picture cards if they need help.

Word "Memory"

Game Pieces:

1. 2” x 2” Game Cards (Sets of 5 to 15) Download FREE Animal Game Cards

2. Picture Cards (Optional…see Reading Game Variations)

Game Setup: Mix up and lay out the word cards (face down) in rows over the play area.

Playing the Game:

1. Take turns turning over two cards and reading the cards as they are turned over.

2. Go again if you get a match.

3. Celebrate wildly every time a match is made!

4. Repeat this process until all matches have been made.

Variations:

1. Give your children the corresponding picture cards each time a match is made. This is kind of like winning a “prize” each time a match is made.

Additional Resources:Plastic toy animals or stuffed animals (when you child is learning to read “animal” words).

Extra Tips/Suggestions and Comments:If your child forgets how to read a word that is flipped over, read the word for them and they will soon remember.

Word "Race"

Game Pieces:

1. Word Cards (5 – 15 cards) Download Free Animal Word Cards

2. Picture Cards (5 – 15 cards) Download FREE Animal Picture Cards

3. Objects (see Reading Game Variations below)

Game Setup: Place matching game cards in piles on opposite ends of the play area. Example: Place word cards (elephant, giraffe, tiger, hippopotamus, zebra, etc…) on one end of the play area and then on the opposite end place matching picture cards or objects (toy animals in this case).

Playing the Game:

1. Hand your child a picture card (face up).

2. Your child then races across the play area (the living room in our home); grabs the corresponding word card and brings back the matching set.

3. Celebrate wildly every time a match is made!

4. Repeat this process until all matches have been made.

Variations:

1. Start with word cards and then race to find matching picture cards or objects (toys, stuffed animals, etc).2. Use “color word cards” (red, blue, green, yellow, etc…) and various objects that are corresponding colors.

Additional Resources:Plastic toy animals or stuffed animals (when you child is learning to read “animal” words).

Extra Tips/Suggestions and Comments: Be careful when playing this reading game.

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