spelling homework ideas

35 Fun, Hands-On Spelling Activities to Use With Any Word List

Inside: 35 fun, hands-on spelling activities that get kids actively engaged with their spelling words – thinking, making, creating! Includes a printable version for at home learning.

There’s no doubting that some children (if not all!) learn best when they are actively engaged with thinking, making, creating – DOING. Which is why it can be advantageous to add an active, hands-on element to subjects that more typically rely on rote learning style activities – like spelling.

The 35 hands-on spelling activities included on this list are much more fun and engaging than simply writing out spelling words over and over again (my kids both strongly disliked the ‘Look, Cover, Write, Check’ approach to spelling – and I honestly didn’t see much learning happening with it).

These ideas can be useful as activities for literacy rotations or as homework activities, working particularly well with children in the early elementary/primary grades. Plus, at the bottom of this post you’ll find a handy printable version that can be sent home with families to use for at home learning.

RELATED: Looking for meaningful spelling activities for grades 4-6? Check out our spelling activities worksheets.

35 Hands-On Spelling Activities

1. Make each word with Scrabble letter tiles .

2. Cut some short lengths of yarn and use them to form the letters of each word.

3. Paint the words with watercolour paints .

4. Write words with pavement chalk on the pavement or on the trampoline mat.

5. Make the letters of each word with your body as you spell the word aloud.

6. Build your words with Lego bricks .

7. Stamp your words onto paper with letter stamps.

8. Stamp your words into playdough with non-inked letter stamps .

9. Dot paint each word with a Q-tip or cotton bud.

10. Make your words with letter stickers .

11. Spell your words aloud as you star jump – one jump for each letter.

12. Make letters from chenille stems/pipe cleaners and use them to spell each word.

13. Type your words on a computer.

14. Write each word with your finger in a sand or salt tray .

15. Make rainbow words , tracing each letter with lots of colours.

16. Thread your words with letter beads .

17. Write your words on the window with a whiteboard marker.

18. Spell aloud and clap for each letter of your words.

19. Spell each word aloud in a robot voice .

20. Make each word with alphabet stones .

21. Write each word with your finger into shaving cream on the shower screen at bath time – or spray a little on a cookie tray to try it when you’re not in the bath.

22. Write your words onto paper plates or circles (one word per plate) and make up a jumping game .

23. Write your words in a fun script – with tiny letters or tall, skinny ones, or try bubble writing!

24. Draw a hopscotch grid on the pavement with chalk. Add a spelling word to each square. As your stone lands on a square spell  the word aloud before hopping.

25. Squeeze a small amount of acrylic paint into a re-sealable Ziploc bag. Seal the top and then use your finger to write each word ‘in’ the paint .

26. Make each word with magnetic letters .

27. Play Tic Tac Toe with your spelling words – each player chooses a word to use in the place of the ‘x’ or ‘o’ as you play. Choose a new word for each game.

28. Write each word with white crayon onto white paper and then paint over them with watercolour paint for a magic word reveal!

29. Play Hangman choosing the word to guess from your list of words.

30. Make each word from playdough or plasticine snakes .

31. Spell each word aloud as you jump on the trampoline – one bounce per letter.

32. Write the letters of each word onto a craft stick (one letter per stick). Jumble the sticks up and then remake each word.

33. Use a laser pointer to ‘write’ each word on the wall.

34. Write your list words onto two sets of index cards and use them to play a memory game .

35. Write each of your words onto a chalkboard with chalk and then use a small paintbrush to paint over them with water.

35. Write each word onto a piece of coloured paper, cut the letters apart and mix them up. Race to unscramble each word.

How to Print Your Hands On Spelling Ideas Grid


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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.

The 75 Best Spelling Practice Ideas

The Good and the Beautiful curriculum receives rave reviews for its spelling program, which is integrated right into our language arts lessons . Try these unique active spelling practice ideas when a child needs extra time or motivating encouragement to master certain words.

Active Spelling Practice Ideas

1. Spell the words out loud while trying to keep a balloon in the air, tapping it upward with each letter.

2. Jump across the room or the lawn. For each spelling word that is correct, the child may take one jump. If you have multiple children, see who can make it to the other end first.

3. Write the words in the air using a feather.

4. Use sign language to sign each letter of a spelling word. This may be slow at first, but the child will become proficient in signing letters by the end of the year. 

5. Without making any sound, mouth each letter to a friend and see if he or she can guess the word.

6. Hold an exercise pose while spelling each word.

7. Say each letter and then spin around once. Take a bow after you end each word. 

8. See how many words you can spell while standing on one foot. Switch feet and try to spell more!

9. Have the child do jumping jacks, sit-ups, lunges, squats, or other movements  as he or she says each letter.

10. Tape letters around the room in alphabetical order. Have the child run and touch each letter as he or she spells out the word. 

11. Stand in a martial arts stance and punch with each hand alternately while saying the letters. End each word with a kick. 

12. Write the spelling word with your finger on the palm of your other hand.

13. Lay on your back. Lift a leg for each letter you spell.

14. Climb up and down stairs by saying one letter of a word for each stair you climb.

15. Spell out the word with your finger on someone’s hand or back. Does he or she know what you are spelling?

Practice Spelling Through Play

16. Use blocks or LEGO™. Each time the child spells a word correctly, he or she receives a certain number of blocks or LEGO™ (3–5). After practice is done, the child may use the blocks won to build something.

17. Create a block tower. For each correct word, the child gets a block to add to a tower. See how high the tower can be built before it falls. With multiple children, each child creates a separate tower, or they may all add to the same one.

18. Write the words on colored dot stickers and place them on a stuffed animal.

19. Have a spelling bee for an audience of stuffed animals or toys.

20. Put together a puzzle. Let the child put one piece in place when he or she spells a word correctly.

21. Use your finger to write words in sand or on a cookie sheet with flour, salt, or sugar.

22. Hold up a word in a mirror’s reflection and have the child try to guess what it is.

23. Use a timer to see how fast you can spell, written or out loud. See if you can improve your time later in the week.

24. Play “Sparkle.” Take turns with the child, or in a group, saying the next letter of a word. When complete, the last person says, “Sparkle!” (or whatever word you choose). 

25. Pass a ball back and forth, saying one letter each time you throw the ball.

26. Get together with friends of the same age and have a small spelling bee. 

Take Spelling Practice Outdoors

27. Take a walk as a family. Every time you pass a tree, dog, house, fire hydrant, etc., stop and spell one of your words.

28. Use a jump rope while spelling, saying a letter each time you jump.

29. Use sidewalk chalk to write spelling words on the sidewalk or driveway.

30. While driving, have your child find letters on traffic or street signs or license plates to create words.

31. Blow bubbles each time a spelling word is spelled correctly.

32. Shoot a basketball or kick a ball into a goal each time you spell a word correctly.

33. Hop on one foot while spelling words. See how long you can spell before you fall! When you fall, start with the next word on the opposite foot.

34. Spell each word while driving in the car.

35. Practice spelling words while going on a walk. See if you can find things in nature that begin with the same letter as your spelling word.

36. Write spelling words in sand or dirt with a stick, feather, or anything else you find outside.

37. While swinging, have the child say each letter as he or she swings forward.

38. Spelling on wheels: have the child ride his or her bike, scooter, skateboard, rollerblades, or other wheels up and down the sidewalk or driveway. Each time the child reaches you, have him or her spell a word before continuing.

39. Lay on a blanket and look at the clouds or stars. Spell each word while looking for patterns in the sky.  

You may also like these fun spelling resources. . .

Reading Booster Games

Phonics & Spelling Rules Videos

Spelling Rules Flash Cards

Traditional Spelling Practice with a Fun Twist

40. Write each spelling word several times on a balloon and then pop it.

41. Record yourself saying and spelling your words. Play it back.

42. Type the words on a computer using a fun font and color.

43. Write the words on a whiteboard, and then spell each word out loud, erasing each letter as you say it.

44. Write spelling words on index cards. If you have multiple children, consider having the children quiz each other.

45. Write spelling words on a big whiteboard or on individual whiteboards.

46. Use water to paint spelling words on construction paper.

47. Write the list of words in alphabetical order and reverse alphabetical order.

48. Use a fun pen with lots of colors to make a word in a rainbow.

49. Write the words on sticky notes and have a child hide the words around the room. You, another child, or the whole family can go on a search to find them!

50. Spell each word backward.

51. Use liquid glue to spell words. It will dry “raised” and look neat too. 

52. Sing in the shower: Spell each word while in the bath or shower!

53. Write a silly poem using each spelling word.

54. See how many times you can write your words in one minute.

55. Fold a sheet of paper in fourths (fold it twice), write one word in each square, and decorate. Bonus: Cut the squares to use them as flashcards.

56. Write words with a white crayon and then watercolor paint over the top to reveal the word. 

57. Have a pretend spelling bee for your family or friends. Use a water bottle for a microphone, and don’t forget to clap!

58. Copy each word, cover the word, write it again, and check.

59. Create your own font or try bubble letters.

60. Use yarn to spell out words.

61. In your very best handwriting, write each spelling word three times. Use cursive if you can.

62. Write spelling words three times on one line—small, medium, and then large.

63. Give the child four consonants and two vowels. See how many words he or she can spell. 

64. Use glow-in-the-dark markers or paint to write the words, and then check spelling in the dark.

65. Write words on scratch-art paper (colorful paper coated in black paint-like material).

66. Use washable window or dry-erase markers to write words on glass doors or windows.

67. Let the child write the spelling words on a bathroom mirror with a dry-erase marker. The child can then spell them out loud every time he or she goes into the bathroom.

68. Write the words with a drawing game on a tablet or phone.

69. Divide a sheet of paper into the number of letters of the spelling word. Have the child draw an item that begins with each letter in the appropriate box.

70. Use letter magnets to spell the words on the fridge.

71. Write a story that contains all of that week’s spelling words.

72. Make a spelling ribbon. Write the letters of each word in a continuous line to make a fun shape or pattern. Use each word three to four times. 

73. Write your spelling words in the order of the longest to the shortest.

74. Make a spelling stair step. Start on the first line and write just the first letter of the word. Go to the second line and write the first two letters of the word and so on until you have written the whole word.

75. Draw a fun scene and hide each spelling word in it twice. Have a friend or family member try to find the hidden words. 

Don’t forget to comment with your own ideas below!

Also, remember that children do not learn to spell most effectively by practicing list after list of words. Visit our Phonics & Spelling Rules videos playlist on our Kids YouTube channel for an engaging way to reinforce spelling rules. Our carefully designed spelling instruction incorporates spelling patterns, spelling rules, and so much more! Check out the Level 1–5 language arts courses , which are free to download at goodandbeautiful.com .

You may also like. . .

We Are the Clay, and Thou the Potter

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Are there specific spelling flash cards or for which levels do they have specific spelling words? Great ideas! Thank you

Thank you for your support and your feedback, Alicia! We offer Spelling Rules Flashcards on our website as a physical or digital PDF. While Spelling flashcards are not included with the courses, children do practice spelling in our Language Arts courses. In fact, our Level 4 Language Arts Course Set includes a Spelling and Writing Workshop book to help students with spelling and writing. It reviews the spelling rules and offers lots of practice.

You can read more about our Spelling and Writing Philosophy on our website, here: https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/spelling-and-writing-philosophy/

This is awesome!!!!!! Thank you for the ideas!!!!

Great ideas to help incorporate spelling

Perfect for keeping spelling fun!

I printed off some spelling worksheets from this website before, but now I can’t find them. They were so good! Can you point me in the right direction to finding them again

Hi Hayley! This blog post has some spelling resources that you may find helpful. https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/blog/tag/spelling/

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60 Spelling Activities for Elementary Students

• Janessa Fletcher
• May 12, 2021
• No Comments

How many hours a week do you spend prepping spelling activities? ? What if you had a resource that would allow you to create 60 spelling activities in 5 minutes or less?! What?!!! ? Are you ready to get some of those hours back?!  Take a look at these fabulous EDITABLE Spelling Activities we have created for your students to practice their word lists.

Our Spelling Activities are super simple to use !!!

• Enter your spelling list on the first page of the resource.
• Choose the activities you want to use that week.  (We have 60 different pages  to choose from!)
• Print those activities.

These spelling activities can be sent home as homework, used in a word work center, in small groups, or as independent practice.

* Spelling Activity Line-Up *

1. spelling list .

This is the first page you will see in the resource. All of the “magic” happens on this page! Whether you have chosen our 10, 12, or 15-word option, you will type in your word list on this page.

2. Magic Words?

One of my students’ favorite spelling activities. They write each spelling word with a white crayon and then color over the words with a marker. The spelling words MAGICALLY appear on the paper.

Spelling Activity 3. Alphabetical Order?

This activity is pretty self-explanatory. Students will organize their spelling words into alphabetical order and write them in that sequence.

4 . Rainbow Spelling?

Write the spelling words along the rainbow in different colors to practice.

5 . Write a Sentence✏️

Use each of your spelling words in a sentence. This is a great way to practice spelling words, writing, and additional vocabulary.

Spelling Activity 6. Secret Code Spelling?️

Students use the given code to spell each of their spelling words. This will definitely be a favorite spelling/word work activity in your classroom.

7 . Roll a Spelling Word?

Roll a die to see if you will be writing your spelling words in crayon, with squiggles, in multiple colors, or bubble letters. Which number did you roll the most?

8. Word Illustrations?

Choose four of your spelling words and draw an illustration for them. To add an extension to this activity, ask your students to write a sentence to go with their illustration.

Spelling Activity 9 . Word Boxes?

Is the letter tall or short? Does it stretch above the middle line or fall below? Students use the boxes to determine which word will fit as they practice spelling and writing them.

10. Trace Words?

Students can choose to trace their spelling words in pencil, crayon, or marker. Sometimes they just enjoy using a different tool to write with.

11. Emoji Spelling?

Your students love using emojis, why not put those to educational use?! LOL Students will spell the words by using the emoji code.

Spelling Activity 12. Pattern Block Spelling?

Give your students some fun hands-on spelling work with this pattern block activity. This page is great for an individual or small group center, or if you need some quiet time to catch up on assessments or small group RTI.

13. Vowels and Consonants

We all have those blue and red colored alphabet letters in our closets somewhere. Well, it is time to pull them out to spell words with. After they build the letter, students will color the consonants in blue and the vowels in red.

14. Scrabble Spelling

Combine math and word work in this activity. Students will spell each word, writing the numbers on the tiles down. Then add the numbers together to come up with each word “sum”.

Spelling Activity 15. Spin It, Spell It?

Each student will create a spinner with a paperclip and pencil. Spin the spinner and see which number it lands on. Write the word that matches the corresponding number. Was there a word that you wrote more often than all of the rest?

16. Spelling Maze

Can you find your way out of the maze? As they come to a word, have them read it, spell it, and then check it off the word list at the bottom. You can have them complete this activity with a partner as they both try to navigate through the maze. Can they guess the other student’s word after it has been spelled?

17. Spelling Spiral?

Round and round the spiral goes, how many spelling words you can fit, nobody knows…

Spelling Activity 18. Word Syllables??

Students practice separating their spelling words into syllables. Count on fingers, clap hands, or stomp feet to see how many syllables are in each word. Then circle the corresponding number.

19. Silly Writing?

Your students will have so much fun practicing their spelling words while writing upside down, or with their eyes closed.

20. Pyramid Spelling

Build your spelling words pyramid style. Start with one letter at the top and add another letter with each line as you move your way down the pyramid.

Spelling Activity 21. Spelling Rhymes

Can your students think of a word that rhymes with each of their spelling words? How many rhyming words can they come up with?

22. Spelling Colors ?

Students match the color word to the spelling word in order to write the correct word on the line under the crayon. Added bonus: students learn to identify color words!

23. Word Search

For your higher-level kiddos, this word search is GREAT! They write their words either across, down, or as a challenge, diagonal on the grid. Then place random letters among the grid. Share with a partner to see if they can find all of your “hidden” words.

Spelling Activity 24. Word Art

For your more creative students, color in the fancy letters and decorate around each of the spelling words. Plus, who doesn’t love to color?! ❤️

25. Create a Story

How many spelling words can you fit into your story? Students write a short story that makes sense and illustrate it using their spelling words.

26. Keyboard Words

Students use the computer keyboard to practice typing their spelling words. Can they put their fingers on the correct keys?

Spelling Activity 27. Stamping Spelling Words

Everybody loves dot markers!!! Grab a few different colors and stamp your spelling words as you read them.

28. Synonyms and Antonyms

For a more challenging activity, connect spelling practice with vocabulary skills by finding a synonym and antonym for each spelling word.

29. Sign Language Spelling

This will definitely be a class favorite! Your students get to learn sign language while practicing their spelling words. And it is a socially distant partner activity, as they can sign a word to a partner and see if the partner can write down the word signed.

Spelling Activity 30. How Many Sounds

Students practice sound segmentation with this activity. Sound out your spelling words and circle how many sounds those words have.

31.  Shape Spelling ??

Your students can combine math and spelling skills by writing their spelling words along the inside of each shape on the page.

32. Parts of Speech Spelling

Give your spelling practice some grammar skills as well. Students will sort each of their spelling words into the different parts of speech. As an extension, can they create a Madlib with their spelling words?

Spelling Activity 33.  Spelling with Both Hands ?

Are you right or left-handed? Well, with this activity, you get to practice your spelling words writing with each hand. In the end, I bet that your non-dominant handwriting will start to look pretty nice. ?

34.  Silly Sentences ?

Students try to write as many of their spelling words in a sentence as they can. Once the sentence is written, they go back and underline their spelling words and count how many they used. Who can use the most in one sentence?

35. Spelling Cake ?

Oh, how I wish it was real cake… LOL. Students will write their spelling words on each layer of the cake, changing the size of the words as they move up the tiers.

Spelling Activity 36. Tablet Spelling ?

This modern-day version of keyboard spelling allows students to practice typing their spelling words on a tablet keyboard. After they type the word, they are to write it in the “text bubble” on the screen.

37. Graph your Words ?

How many letters are in each spelling word? Students can graph their words based on the number of letters in each one. Which number has the most, the least, or are there any ties?

38. Tally and Color

Students write each of their words into a box, then count the number of letters in each word. They tally each letter. Once every word has been tallied, they will choose a color for each number and color code the boxes of words.

Spelling Activity 39. Fancy Spelling

This activity will allow your students to use their creativity. They can spell their words using fancy lettering. Will they write in cursive, dotted lines, or some invented script?

40. Garden Spelling ?

Find the open spaces in the image and write your spelling words. How many can you fit within the picture? Once done, they can color the rest of the picture.

41. Flower Spelling

Students write their spelling words along the “petals” of each flower, making sure that they match in color and are spelled correctly.

Spelling Activity 42. Scribble Spelling

Write the spelling words in each of the spaces in the picture in different colors. Can you write the words without the same color being used in spaces that touch?

43. Bubble Spelling

Did you ever write words in bubble letters?! It used to be a big thing when I was in school (now I’m really dating myself… LOL). Your students can practice writing all of their spelling words in bubble letters.

44. Bubble Spelling Alternative

Just like the activity above, students will write their spelling words in bubble letters.

Spelling Activity 45. Spelling Snapshots

This is a very creative way to practice spelling words. Students will write the words on the bottom half of the polaroid square and then draw a picture to illustrate that word at the top.

46. Spelling Jellybeans

Students write their spelling words on each jellybean in the jar. Continue writing your words until the entire jar is full.

47. Stamp Spelling

Do you have letter stamps? If so, then this is a great word work center activity. Students will spell their wordlist by stamping them in each of the boxes.

Spelling Activity 48. Yoga Spelling

Bring mindfulness and calming techniques into your classroom while practicing academics. Each word is next to a yoga pose. After they write a word, they are to practice that pose.

49. Spelling Strings

Raise your hand if you have alphabet beads in your classroom. ??‍♀️??‍♂️ Using the beads, students will spell their words on the “string” given in each box.

50. Text Your Words

In the new technology age, our students are well-versed with cell phones. They will LOVE this spelling activity!!! Students will write the word on the line, and then the number code needed to text it to a friend.

Spelling Activity 50. Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe

Students will play tic-tac-toe by trying to write three of their spelling words in a row before their partner can do it. Make a bunch of copies of this worksheet and place them in a center. It is a “fun” way for students to practice their spelling words without really knowing it.

52. Spelling Riddles

This is another activity for your higher students. They will create a riddle about one of their spelling words and write it down. Once they have written all of their riddles, they will trade their paper with a partner and see if their buddy can figure out what words they were describing.

53. Spelling Battleship

Just like the famous board game, students will each have two papers. There grid to write their words on and the other to record their hits on their partner’s grid. Instead of laying down ships, they will write their words vertically or horizontally on the grid. Once all of the words have been written, it is time to play. Guess the letter/number combination to see if you get a ‘hit’ or a ‘miss’.

Activity 54. Spelling Squares

Who has played this game in the fun children’s menu magazine or placement that you sometimes get?! Students will write play against a partner, trying to build squares. Once they have boxed in a square, they will need to write a spelling word inside. Such fun!!!

55. Doughy Spelling

Playdough meets spelling words in this fine motor building activity. Students will spell their words by rolling out and shaping playdough for each word. This is one activity your students will quietly sit and do for a LONG time!

56. Build Your Words

LEGO your way to completing your spelling words. Using the famous bricks, build each of your spelling words.

Spelling Activity 57.  Hopscotch Spelling

Use this miniature mat to practice spelling words. Students will write their spelling words in the spaces. Then, using a small game piece, such as a button, they carefully toss it onto the paper. Wherever it lands, you will ‘hop’ to and read the word under the button. You can also recreate this activity outside by drawing the words and hopscotch in chalk.

58. Spy Spelling

Use the spy code at the top of the paper to spell each word. Students will write the numbers that correspond to the letters under each word. Make sure to add dashes between the numbers.

59. Words Inside Spelling

Using the letters inside each flower, how many “new” words can you make? Write each new word onto a petal.

Spelling Activity 60. Write the Room Spelling

Get your students up and moving with this spelling center activity. Each word will be printed on the card that corresponds to a picture. Students will carefully walk around the room, locating the different cards you have placed around the room. When they find a card, they need to write down that word next to the corresponding image.

*Bonus – Spelling Assessment

At the end of the unit, use our assessment page to see if all of the spelling activities practice your students have been doing paid off. ?

All of these spelling activities can be created within seconds with our No Prep Editable Spelling Bundle. Just type the words onto the word list and watch them immediately auto-populate onto all the other pages in the packet. Print those worksheets you want, make copies and spend time doing other activities you enjoy. So, which one of these 60 spelling activities for elementary students is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below! ??

Written by: Janessa Fletcher

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This Reading Mama

50 Hands-On Spelling Activities

By thisreadingmama 25 Comments

Has your spelling practice become dry or boring? Well, brush off the dust and try some of these hands-on spelling activities !

Since readers need to have BOTH phonics and sight words  understanding to become good readers, focusing on both phonics AND sight words during spelling instruction is a great way to help words “stick” in a child’s memory.

When words are taken out of the context of a book and their patterns, letters, and parts are studied, it forces readers to slow down and really take it all the word has to offer them. This, in turn, helps them become better readers .

So today, I’d like to share 50 of my favorite hands-on spelling activities for phonics and sight words. Many of these are included in the back of my ebook, Teaching Kids to Spell .

Did you know you can find 700+ pages of printable spelling activities and games in my ebook? Yes! That’s enough to cover an entire year of spelling fun!

50 Hands-on Spelling Activities

Most all of these activities can be adapted for either phonics OR sight words. You can also insert your child’s spelling list into the activity instead of using the specific words shown in the post.

1.  Scoop & Spell {This Reading Mama}

2.  Sidewalk Chalk Spelling Hop  {Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational}

3.  Stamp Your Words {Lessons Learnt Journal}

4.  Go on a Word Treasure Hunt {Hands On: As we Grow}

5.  Make a Spelling Word Search Puzzle {This Reading Mama}

6.  Use a Spelling Dictionary {The Measured Mom}

7.  Dot Sticker Spelling {School Time Snippets}

8.  Post-a-Word {This Reading Mama}

9.  Make a Giant Crossword Puzzle {A Mom with a Lesson Plan}

10.  Phonics Jumping Game {Learners in Bloom}

11.  Play Word Rocket  {Playdough to Plato}

12.  Spell with Beads {Frugal Fun 4 Boys}

13.  Spell with LEGO Letters {This Reading Mama}

14.  Spell the Most Words Game {No Time for Flashcards}

15.  Spinning Straw Spellers {Still Playing School}

16.  Build Words with Rocks {Sugar Ants}

17.  Glitter Spelling {Here Come the Girls}

18.  Play Word Bump! {This Reading Mama}

19.  Roll a Sight Word {I Can Teach My Child}

20.  Making Words {Buggy and Buddy}

21.  Paint your Words {Childhood 101}

22. Oversized Letter Cards for Spelling {This Reading Mama}

23.  Seek and Find Spelling Game {What Do We Do All Day?}

24.  Rainbow Write Your Words {Nurture Store}

25.  Words 3 Ways  {Teach Mama}

26.  Use Crayon Resist {This Reading Mama}

27.  Spell with Pipe Cleaners {Make and Takes}

28.  Spell with Your Fingers {Home School Innovation}

29.  Use Word Sorts  {This Reading Mama}

30.  Spell with Cereal {A Mom with a Lesson Plan}

31. Finger Tap Spelling {This Reading Mama}

32.  Car Track Delivery Spelling Game  {Stay at Home Educator}

33.  Make a Chalkboard Refrigerator Game {Enchanted Homeschooling Mom}

34.  Visual Spelling Practice {Home Literacy Blueprint}

Roll & Cover Game

35. Roll & Cover Spelling Words {This Reading Mama}

36.  Make a Spelling Garage  {123 Homeschool 4 Me}

37.  Roll and Spell {Well-Nurtured Plants and Pillars}

38.  Letter Lacing {Mama Miss}

39.  Roll & Write Words {This Reading Mama}

40.  Spelling Hangman {Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas}

41.  Waffle Words Spelling Game {The Homeschool Post}

42.  Use a Board Game {Teach Beside Me}

43.  Spell with a Word Family Dictionary  {guest post on The Measured Mom}

44.  Play a Word Stretching Game  {The Pleasantest Thing}

45. DIY Spelling Word Puzzles {This Reading Mama}

45.  Allow Invented Spelling {1+1+1=1}

46.  Spelling Puzzles {No Time for Flash Cards}

47.  Missing Letter Spelling Game {Imagination Soup}

48.  Ride to Spell  {This Reading Mama}

49.  Spelling Battleship {Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational}

50.  Clip a Word {Sugar Ants}

51. Bottle Cap Spelling {This Reading Mama}

More Spelling Activities and Resources:

Go digital with spelling! Read all about my educational apps or purchase them on iTunes or Google Play!

All About Spelling is a fantastic spelling program using the Orton-Gillingham methods. Hands-on work is a big part of All About Spelling!

Using Words Their Way to Teach Spelling

Enjoy teaching! ~Becky

Want MORE Free Teaching Resources?

Join thousands of other subscribers to get hands-on activities and printables delivered right to your inbox!

May 13, 2014 at 9:26 am

Looks I need to get more creative with spelling! Thanks for these ideas!

May 14, 2014 at 5:06 am

Ha! We all could use a little creativity every once in a while, right?

May 13, 2014 at 3:11 pm

Wow! So many great ideas here! Thanks so much for mentioning my spelling post!

You’re very welcome!

May 13, 2014 at 9:07 pm

Great ideas!

May 15, 2014 at 9:17 am

What an awesome collection of creative spelling activities, Becky!! Sharing!

May 16, 2014 at 2:58 pm

Thank you, Malia!

May 16, 2014 at 7:41 pm

So many awesome ideas! Can’t wait to try a few out with the kids!

May 17, 2014 at 3:22 pm

Yes. I will be trying a few of these with my kids as well! 🙂

May 22, 2014 at 1:26 am

Such a great resource!! Pinned! p.s. thank you for including us : )

May 22, 2014 at 7:34 am

You’re very welcome! Thank you for your amazing idea!

June 3, 2014 at 11:11 pm

What a fantastic list and resource!! Thank you so much for including my Chalkboard Refrigerator Game 🙂

June 4, 2014 at 6:07 am

June 18, 2014 at 6:52 am

I had forgotten all about the Waffle Words I wrote long ago. Thanks for the ping.

I’ll have to put my brain on a math version of it now!

June 18, 2014 at 7:11 am

I’d love to see it when you’re finished. 🙂

November 11, 2015 at 3:01 pm

Wow really nice 😀 resources thanks for sharing

February 24, 2017 at 2:41 am

Great post!

June 7, 2017 at 1:57 am

Thax for the trick, so helpfull

August 26, 2017 at 3:21 am

there are some amazing ideas here, thank you 🙂

October 1, 2017 at 4:41 am

WOW!!!! very nice and interesting article written by you. Such a great piece of information.

November 18, 2017 at 3:06 am

Really nice! Thanks for sharing those fantastic activities. These creative spelling activities are wonderful. I would love to try these. Can’t wait. Awesome ideas.

April 15, 2018 at 11:20 am

I love all your posts! I’m a first year 2nd grade teacher so finding resources can be overwhelming and time consuming. I love that your worksheets are engaging for my students. Thanks for sharing!

March 1, 2021 at 8:12 pm

very good post i particularly liked the roll and dice one and use a board game

March 11, 2021 at 7:52 pm

I love this blog! I’m a first year 3nd grade teacher so finding resources can be time consuming. I love that your worksheets are engaging for my students. Thanks for sharing!

[…] 50  hands-on spelling activities from This Reading Mama […]

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42 Fun Spelling Activities for Grades 3 – 6

FUN SPELLING ACTIVITIES FOR HOMEWORK

These 42 Fun Spelling Activities for Grades 3 – 6 provide creative ways for students to use their weekly spelling words, effectively enhancing their writing skills. Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, the matrix is easy to understand and suitable for students of all ages. With over 80,000 downloads, it has become one of our most popular resources. Download it for free here .

Implementing these hands-on spelling activities as part of your weekly homework can significantly enhance student outcomes in different academic areas. First and foremost, this approach engages learners in active and purposeful practice, reinforcing their understanding of spelling rules and patterns. By incorporating strategies such as mnemonic devices, word associations, and spelling games into homework, students are more likely to internalize correct spelling conventions.

Moreover, the variety of spelling strategies caters to different learning styles, accommodating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. This ensures all students find an approach that resonates with their preferences, fostering a deeper grasp of spelling concepts. As a result, regular application of these strategies improves spelling skills and contributes to overall language proficiency.

Get your hands on the valuable resource 42 Fun Spelling Practice Activities for Grades 3 – 6, which enhances students’ writing skills and promotes the effective use of spelling words. Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, the matrix is easily understandable and suitable for students of all ages. It has gained immense popularity, with over 80,000 downloads.

What is Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Bloom’s Taxonomy is a framework used by educators to classify educational objectives and define different levels of cognitive complexity. Developed by educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom in 1956, the taxonomy has been revised over the years, with the latest version incorporating digital learning and updated language.

At its core, Bloom’s Taxonomy consists of six hierarchical levels, arranged from simple to complex cognitive processes:

• Remembering : This level involves recalling facts, concepts, or information without necessarily understanding them. Activities at this level include memorization, recitation, and identification.
• Understanding : Here, students demonstrate comprehension by interpreting, summarizing, or explaining ideas in their own words. They grasp the meaning of concepts rather than just memorizing them.
• Applying : This level focuses on applying knowledge and concepts in new situations or contexts. Students solve problems, execute procedures, or utilize information in novel scenarios.
• Analyzing : At this level, students break down information into its component parts to understand relationships and underlying structures. They identify patterns, differentiate between elements, and draw conclusions.
• Evaluating : This involves making judgments or assessments based on criteria and standards. Students critically examine information, arguments, or theories to determine their validity or effectiveness.
• Creating : The highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy involves synthesizing information and generating new ideas or products. Students demonstrate originality and creativity by designing, composing, or inventing based on their understanding.

As teachers, understanding Bloom’s Taxonomy can inform lesson planning, assessment design, and instructional strategies. By aligning learning objectives with appropriate levels of cognitive complexity, teachers can scaffold student learning effectively, promote higher-order thinking skills, and facilitate more profound understanding. Incorporating activities and assessments across all levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy fosters comprehensive learning experiences that cater to diverse learner needs and promote intellectual growth.

These spelling activities provide an excellent opportunity to explore the taxonomy in action.

What are Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences?

Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, proposed by Howard Gardner in 1983, suggests that intelligence is not a singular entity but rather a collection of distinct modalities, or “intelligences,” each with its own set of abilities and preferences. Gardner initially identified seven intelligences and later added an eighth. These intelligences represent different ways individuals perceive and understand the world, learn, and solve problems. Here’s a brief overview:

• Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence : Individuals with strong verbal-linguistic intelligence excel in language-related tasks such as reading, writing, speaking, and storytelling. They have a knack for understanding and using words effectively.
• Logical-Mathematical Intelligence : People with logical-mathematical intelligence exhibit proficiency in reasoning, logic, and numerical operations. They excel in problem-solving, mathematical computations, and scientific investigations.
• Visual-Spatial Intelligence : This intelligence involves the ability to perceive and manipulate visual information effectively. Individuals with strong visual-spatial intelligence excel in tasks such as interpreting maps, visualizing objects in three dimensions, and artistic endeavors.
• Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence : People with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence possess excellent control over body movements and physical activities. They learn best through hands-on experiences and are often skilled in activities such as sports, dance, and manual crafts.
• Musical Intelligence : Individuals with musical intelligence have a heightened sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, and melodies. They often excel in playing musical instruments, composing music, and recognizing patterns in auditory stimuli.
• Interpersonal Intelligence : This intelligence involves understanding and interacting effectively with others. Individuals with strong interpersonal intelligence exhibit empathy, communication, and leadership qualities.
• Intrapersonal Intelligence : Intrapersonal intelligence refers to self-awareness and introspection. Individuals with this intelligence understand their own emotions, motivations, and goals, leading to a strong sense of self and personal development.
• Naturalistic Intelligence : Gardner later proposed naturalistic intelligence, which relates to an individual’s affinity for understanding and interacting with the natural world. People with this intelligence exhibit a keen appreciation for nature, environmental awareness, and the ability to categorize and classify natural phenomena.

Gardner’s theory emphasizes the diversity of human cognition and suggests that educators should recognize and cultivate these various intelligences to support holistic learning experiences for all students. Educators can promote engagement, understanding, and success across diverse learner profiles by incorporating activities and instructional strategies that cater to different intelligences.

Kevin has worked in education for over two decades. He has a Masters degree in Educational Technologies and runs two companies providing educational content to schools, students and teachers.

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SpellQuiz | Blog

Spelling Ideas to Practice Spelling for Homework

Here’s the sad truth — we adults often make the spelling practices so boring that kids lose interest in English spelling in no time. Moreover, kids typically associate spelling with rote memorization. That’s why young ones try to avoid spelling practices — they’re just too scared!

We must find ways to spelling practice sessions more interesting — we need spelling ideas that can create sparks!

I’m sure you’ve searched different online platforms and websites long enough to find a few spelling ideas that your child or student will love. So, here we are with a collection of creative ways to spell words. Hopefully, these ideas will do the trick for you.

10 Spelling Ideas for Our Youngsters!

1. word swatter.

Our first idea is heavily inspired by fly swatters! Yes, we’d use a fly swatter, and trust me, you two are going to have a lot of fun.

To execute this spelling idea, we’ll need —

• A fly swatter (obviously!)
• 20 to 30 flashcards (based on your preference)

First, you’ll write the words you need to practice for homework. You could even use any custom wordlist. But make sure the spelling difficulty of the word corresponds to your child’s age and expertise.

Then, hang the words in a random fashion on the wall.

Finally, you’ll hand over the fly swatter to your child and speak out the words from the wordlist, one at a time. Your child should hear the word and swat the flashcard that has the word on it.

Young children love this game. You’ll be amazed to see your child’s face gleaming in enthusiasm while playing Word Swatter.

2. Word Rainbows

We’ll know that repetition is the key to master English spelling. We can remember a word far better with spaced repetition. SpellQuiz has a detailed guide on how spaced repetition can help us remember a word better .

We’ll use the same principle here in this spelling idea. However, the direct approach might make things boring, especially for the kids.

So, we’ll use one of the oldest parenting tricks — we’ll fool them!

Rather than asking your child to write a word X times, you should give them crayons or coloring pencils.

Then, tell her that you two will create Word Rainbows!

Basically, she should write a word, let’s say mango , using the violet font color, then using indigo, then blue, and so on.

You get the idea, right?

In this way, could write a word multiple times and practice spelling without even realizing it.

Curious to find more about learning how to spell ? Check out this in-depth guide NOW!

3. Mini Scrabble Spelling Ideas

As you can guess, this spelling trick takes inspiration from scrabble. You can even call it — add-a-letter game. You’ll first write a letter on paper. Your child would then add another word before or after it. Then, it’d be your turn to add another.

Both of you should be aiming at making a meaningful word.

You should manipulate the letters so that your child can come up with a meaningful word. So, it’s a game of scrabble where your goal would be to lose it!

4. Highlight a Word in a Newspaper

 This is one of the common spelling ideas that use  vocabulary activities. But we’re using a tweaked version. Here’s the spelling idea — you’ll speak out a word and your child will have to find the word in a newspaper. Then, she should highlight the word with a marker.

Obviously, you should give them simpler words corresponding to their vocabulary size. You could make things interesting by calling it a competition. He who finds 10 words quicker than the other one will win.

Again, you should go slow and let them win more often. This will work as an incentive.

This spelling idea is very beneficial as it fosters the practice of reading newspapers and magazines. And, newspapers and magazines are two of the best resources to build a strong vocabulary.

Eager to learn about the best spelling programs of 2021? Here’s a guide! 

5. Arranging Words in Alphabetic Order

This one is pretty straightforward. She will have to arrange the words in a list in alphabetic order. I admit — this sounds like a fairly simpler spelling idea.  

However, often the simpler ideas will bring fascinating results. This will indicate that spelling practices are simple and easy. Plus, they’ll write the words and get more exposure to those words.

We all know that frequent exposure to words helps the child to become a better speller.

It would obviously make them more interested in practicing spelling. You could give them small prizes as incentives too. For example, she could get a sticker for successfully arranging five wordlists in alphabetic order.

6. A Letter Is Missing!

While the name of the game has a mysterious vibe, it’s basically a modified version of a simple fill-in-the-blanks!

In a worksheet, you’ll write ten words but each of the words will have a missing letter. Your child’s goal would be to find that letter to complete the spelling of that word.

To make them interested, you could say that she is a police officer investigating a “missing letter’s” case!

The backstory will foster their imagination and motivate them to solve the cases.

7. Use an Instant Messenger

Your children obviously feel intrigued watching you using your phone all day long. After all, we all are guilty of being to addicted our smartphones to some degree.

Let’s use our instant messengers to practice spelling.

So, in this spelling idea, you’ll basically have chat with your child. You’ll ask them to write a word and she should write it down on your choice of chatting platform. In this way, she would feel more grown-up and would subconsciously participate in spelling practices.

Hey, are you struggling to teach spelling to your weaker students? Check out our guide on spelling strategies for weak students .

8. Building Word Skyscrapers

This fun game is almost close to the mini scrabble game that I’ve mentioned earlier on this list. So, in this game, your child will write the words vertically. Plus, the words will lose a letter as ascend vertically.

For example, she should create a skyscraper using the mango in the following manner —

Doesn’t it look like a skyscraper?

9. Paint the Word

Does your child love painting? Great! Then, you could use this spelling idea as it is one of the creative ways to write words.

The idea is pretty simple — would paint the words using different colors. She could add different artistic elements too. This idea will foster their creative side and allow them to practice spelling at the same time.

Is your dyslexic child suffering with spelling skills? Check out this detailed guide on spelling curriculum for dyslexia .

10. Using Cookie Sheets

Yes, you can use a cookie sheet for spelling practices. The spelling idea goes like this — use different unorthodox elements to write words on a cookie sheet. For example, you could use Jell-O, shaving foam, rice, flour, ketchup, and even cookie batter.

She would use her fingers to form the words using those cooking elements.

How to Make the Spelling Sessions Fun?

I know many of you are struggling to find the perfect ways to practice spelling words for homework. Don’t worry, you can design different hands-on spelling activities on your own.

Try to use the activities your child naturally loves to do.

For example, if your child loves playing with LEGO, you can use LEGOs for spelling practices. Similarly, you can use barbie dolls, cars, action figures.

Think of any toy and try to come up with an imaginary backstory that has something to do with spelling. For example, you could say that barbie was kidnapped by an evil witch. To break her free, your child will have to spell five words correctly out of ten.

This might work like a magic.

Then, let’s imagine your child has a Superman action figure. You could say that Superman must fight a villain called Martian Spelling Snake! Try to make silly names as he might find it funny and become more interested.

Now, tell him that Martian Spelling Snake has kryptonite and Superman is in his captivity. But there is a way! If your child can win a spelling contest against the Martian Spelling Snake, the villain will lose.

Remember, your imagination is your best friend.

It doesn’t matter whether your story is believable or not. They don’t care — just try to make things interesting and work on your storytelling efforts .

Spelling Ideas for Older Children

I think you’ve already noticed that all the spelling ideas are only suitable for Pre-K to a first-grader. While these ideas will work like a charm for them, the older children (let’s say a sixth-grader) will never find them interesting.

So, how could help them with spelling?

As they are older, you should stick to the traditional approaches. You can’t fool them to practice spelling. In this case, a dictation-based spelling exercise could help a lot.

SpellQuiz offers the perfect tools in this case. He or she could participate in the spelling tests and exercises on SpellQuiz. The spelling modules are straightforward and designed by experts.

Also, you could track their progress and later can work on the words they’re struggling with.

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Creative Family Fun

Your one-stop shop for kids activities and family fun

Fun Ways to Practice Spelling Words

Spelling words are a fact of life with elementary school kids.

I remember them clearly from my years in school and we’ve had plenty of years of practice with my own two girls.

My struggle has always been making them interesting. We’ve got to practice them, right? So, how can we have fun?

Luckily, there are many fun ways to practice spelling words that you can try. Here are over 30 ideas that will keep your spelling work fun and interesting.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

How to Make Spelling Fun

For the longest time, the only ideas for practicing spelling words I could come up with were practice tests and writing them over and over and over again. Boring!

So, let’s think outside the box to come up with some ways to make spelling fun.

Here’s some things to consider:

Can we use something other than a pencil to write our words?

How can we take our work outside?

Is there a way to keep active kids moving?

What unique supplies can I find to help with our homework?

In addition to these questions, you also need to think about your child’s interests. Do they enjoy art? Do they love LEGOs? What are their favorite toys and activities? And, can you incorporate that into your spelling homework in order to make it more fun?

Also, make sure you have several ideas in your pocket. Try some of these spelling activities for ideas – there are over 30 activities listed. You’ve got to mix it up and provide some variety!

In the following list you’ll find many different ways to learn. There are active ideas and artistic ideas. Some activities are fine motor and others are gross motor.

No matter what you child enjoys, you’ll find some great options to help make their spelling homework fun.

Spelling practice doesn't have to be boring! Try these fun, hands-on ways to practice spelling words at home or in the classroom.

Spelling Word BINGO

Turn your spelling list into a fun BINGO game with this simple template.

Rainbow Writing Spelling Word Practice

Rainbow writing is a fun and colorful way to practice your spelling and learning your words with repetition.

Chalkboard Spelling Word Erase

Use a chalkboard for simple spelling practice when you write your words and then erase them.

LEGO Spelling Words Activity for Kids

Grab your LEGO bricks and build your spelling words.

Finger Painting Spelling Words

Grab your art supplies and write your words with your finger.

Secret Code Spelling Words

Turn your word list into a secret code with this fun activity that adds a little math to your spelling practice.

Salt Tray Spelling Words

A salt tray is a great sensory idea for any list of words.

Practice Spelling Words with Sticky Notes

If your kid's always trying to steal your Post-Its, they'll love this spelling activity!

Dot Marker Spelling Words

Dot markers aren't just for preschool. They're also a fun way to write words.

Practice Spelling with Letter Stamps and Play Dough

Use play dough as a canvas to stamp your words with letter stamps.

Write Spelling Words with Paint in a Bag

Paint in a bag is fun to play with and it's also a great way to practice your spelling words.

Watercolor Resist Spelling Words

Use watercolor resist to turn your word list into an art project.

Make Scrabble Tile Spelling Words

Borrow the tiles from your Scrabble game and use them to build your words.

Write Shaving Cream Spelling Words

Use a tray of shaving cream for a fun sensory spelling activity.

Practice Spelling with Pipe Cleaner Words

Grab a package of pipe cleaners and use them to build the letters in your words.

Practice at Home by Painting Spelling Words

Pencils aren't the only writing tool you can use. Try writing your words with a paint brush.

Sidewalk Chalk Spelling Words

Take your homework outside and write your spelling words on the driveway.

Make Spelling Words with Letter Stamps

Use your letter stamps to write out all your spelling words.

Write Spelling Words on the Window

Did you ever want to draw on the window? Here's a fun and easy-to-clean way to write all over the window.

Car Spelling Word Tracing

Get out the toy cars and let them zoom all around your words.

Create a Spelling Words Word Search

Find out how to make a fun word search with your own set of spelling words.

Pinprick Spelling Words

Pinprick spelling words are a fun fine-motor activity to help you practice at home.

Disappearing Spelling Words

Can you make your spelling words disappear? You can with this fun activity which is very popular at my house.

Spelling Outside with a Driveway Letter Grid

Spelling with a driveway letter grid is a great activity for kids who learn best by moving (or any kid with extra energy after school).

Create Play Dough Spelling Words

Use a batch of play dough to mold all the letters for your words.

Make Words with Alphabet Clothespins

Make a set of alphabet clothespins to use for spelling your word list.

Make Spelling Fun by Writing with Cotton Swabs

Toss the paint brush and use a cotton swab with paint to write your words.

Spelling Word Scramble

Learn how to turn your spelling word list into a fun word scramble activity.

Type Spelling Words on a Computer

Your kids can have a little screen time when they use a computer to type their spelling words.

Fun Spelling Practice with Dry Beans

Build your spelling words out of dry beans for a fun & hands-on practice.

Alphabet Bead Spelling Words

Invest in a set of alphabet beads to use to practice spelling words all year long.

Movement Spelling: Walk Your Spelling Words

How to study spelling words.

Now that you’ve got a ton of ideas, how do you use them to actually study and learn your words?

When you sit down with a new spelling list with your child. Go through the words with them. Specifically, look for any spelling rules that they need to keep in mind. Do the words have silent e’s? Are there any consonant groupings (such as ch or st) or vowel groupings (such as ea or ai)? You can refer to this list of spelling rules for help.

Another thing to keep in mind is repetition. Reading through your list multiple times won’t do the trick. You need to actually spell them and write them, sometimes over and over again.

Some words will be easy to learn (or your child already know how to spell them) and others will be harder. When practicing, you don’t need to give equal weight to each word. Some days you may only want to use the tricky words in your spelling activities or just focus on the one word that your child is stuck on. An activity like Pinprick Words is perfect for those times when you need to go over one or two specific words.

Ways to Practice Spelling Words At Home

While these activities are intended for both classroom at home, every one of them will work as after school practice.

Once you’ve tried out several ideas, decide which ones were favorites. These are the activities that we’ll want to prepare for by gathering (or purchasing) supplies and setting up a spelling homework station. This way, you don’t have to prep activities every single day.

Just because you prepare for certain activities doesn’t mean that you can’t do some of the other ideas!

You don’t need anything fancy to set up your supplies in a homework station. I’d suggest just a box or bin that could be easily put away and easy for your child to use. A small storage bin with a lid and handle would be perfect! Once you’ve found your bin, just fill it with the supplies you need.

If you don’t have a place to tuck away your bin, you can store your supplies in a cute, decorative bin. Here’s a pretty rustic wooden supply caddy that would look cute sitting out on a desk.

You can shop my list of spelling homework supplies here.

More Resources for After School Learning

Hundred Chart Activities to Make Math Fun

Fun STEM Projects for Kids

Fun Addition Fact Games for Kids

Do You Want to Do More Activities With Your Family?

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here .

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Privacy Overview

Free Spelling Activities

I’m sharing 12 FREE, NO PREP, printable and digital Spelling Activities for Kindergarten, first and second grade students! These activities provide meaningful and engaging spelling practice and are perfect for any word work literacy center. I also offer details about my Year-Long Weekly Word Study Resource that offers weekly word lists, practice activities, parent letters, assessments and MORE for k-3!

Hey Friends!

I’m curious…. in your already crowded instruction schedule, does word study have a place?  Have you found a way to make spelling instructiion more than just giving a list of words on Monday and assessing on Friday?  Resources for teaching spelling can be hard to come by. Sometimes it feels like with the intense focus on more critical thinking skills in literacy, explicit spelling instruction (or word study) has become an outdated practice.  

But I think we can all agree we all want our students to be strong spellers!  Spelling is important!  It is related to reading.  If students can spell well, they will read well.   It’s related to writing.  When students spell well they can focus on communicating their ideas, rather than worrying about how to construct words. 

If you are looking for a word study program to use with your students, or maybe just looking to freshen up your spelling activities then you have come to the right place.  Today I’m excited to describe to you the Year-Long Weekly Word Study bundles I have created for kindergarten, first, second and third grade, as well as share my FREE, NO PREP Spelling Activities!  

Free Spelling Activities 

You’ve got a lot on your plate, so to help lighten your load I created this resource that includes 12 different EDITABLE spelling printables!  It is totally free and provides meaningful practice and the repetition students need for mastery of the spelling words and phonics patterns you teach.  With many activities to choose from, spelling practice will always feel fresh and engaging for students.  

To save you time, I created these Spelling Activities as an editable “autofill” document.  This means the ONLY thing you have to do is insert your spelling words (up to 12) into the spelling activities word list.  That’s it!!  Once you type your words into the word list, you simply print the pages you want to use.

Any of these activities make a great addition to your weekly word work routine.  Simply pair the spelling word cards with a pocket chart and print a few activities for an instant literacy center!  They also make great morning work or homework practice.  

The FREE resource includes ALL of the following activities: 

💗 Trace and Write Spelling

💗 ABC Order

💗 ipad Spelling

💗 Vowel Consonant Spelling

💗 Sign Language Spelling

💗 Rainbow Spelling *note this has been updated to include Rainbow Sound Spelling

💗 Triangle Spelling

💗 Spelling Illustrations

💗 Make a Word Search

💗 Spelling Word Shapes

💗 Roll-a-Color Spelling

💗 Spell and Move

Here are a few of our favorites!

Drop your name and email below and I’ll send these free spelling activities to your inbox now!

A Year-Long Weekly Word Study Resource for K-3

So while the activity pages I’ve shared above could be used in a variety of ways, I know there are teachers who are looking for more.  They want an actual program that explicitly teaches students different spelling patterns each week and offers them meaningful practice so students can master those patterns. That’s why I created Year-Long Weekly Word Study Resources for Kindergarten, first, second and third grade students.

Word study units are different from traditional spelling units.  Instead of giving students a list of words to memorize each week, word study units focus on a specific phonics skill.  Students are given explicit instruction on the phonics pattern.  They engage in activities throughout the week that allow them to practice the phonics skill and investigate and discover the patterns in words.  

Word study offers students opportunities to investigate and discover the patterns in words. When students have knowledge of these patterns they don’t learn to spell just one word at a time.  They can generalize and apply their new learning to their reading and their writing.  

My Weekly Word Study Units have EVERYTHING you need to provide your students with effective word study instruction and spelling practice all year long!

I have different units for kindergarten , first , second , AND third-grade students. While the units vary a bit from grade to grade, they all contain these core components:

💕 A Scope and Sequence

We know that for instruction to be most effective, it must be systematic and follow a scope and sequence . The scope and sequences included in these resources are based on my learning including Wiley Blevins’ book,  A Fresh Look at Phonics *,  The Reading Teacher’s Top Ten Tools, and  Speech to Print  and are specific for each grade.

💕 Word cards

These word cards can be printed out on card stock and used in centers, small groups, or for your whole group instruction.

💕 3 Editable Practice Printables for Each Unit

We know that in order for students to master the skills we teach they need a lot of practice.  For every unit, you’ll get 3 editable practice printables. The activities vary slightly depending on grade and the skill that is being taught.

💕 Editable Assessments

While the assessments vary a bit from grade to grade, they all include:

– Word Dictation:  words that follow the week’s phonics skills and bonus spaces for review or high-frequency words.

– Sentence Dictation:  a sentence that includes target phonics skill words, previously taught phonics skill words and high-frequency words.

– Spelling Error Analysis:  a sentence that includes target phonics skill words, previously taught phonics skill words and high-frequency words. Students must correct the mistakes and rewrite the corrected sentences.

💕 A Teacher Assessment Guide and Master Word List

You’ll get an answer key for each unit to make it extra easy for you to quickly check those assessments!

💕  A Family Letter for Each Unit

We know that word study looks a little different than traditional spelling that families may be accustomed to. This letter will help families understand the shift, inform them of the focus for the unit, and offer them ways to support their children at home.

Curious to learn more about Word Study and these resources? Take a look here for more details!

I hope the information and free resources I’ve shared here today will help to bring more effective word study and spelling practice into your classroom!

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The Spelling Bee Website

Boost your spelling skills with these 5 homework ideas.

5 cool ideas for engaging and fun spelling homework for your student so they won't complain anymore about spelling being boring.

Spelling is one of the basic and fundamental activities when it comes to learning a language , for both kids and adults learning English as a second language . At the same time, sometimes students complain and think that spelling homework is a boring activity. Every teacher should prepare useful and engaging spelling lessons for the class, trying to avoid to be boring. In this article we propose some spelling homework ideas using the free resources offered by our website and spelling app.

Table of Contents

Spelling Tests

The Spelling Test app provided by spelling bee ninja is one of the most entertaining ways to learn spelling of English words, and it is an ideal spelling homework for your class as you can eventually take tests using specific words lists. Right after the spelling test the student will get immediate access to a detailed report card , where an absolute score is reported, along with other statistics and useful insights such as the words spelled correctly and the misspelled ones, every student could compare his own results with the ones of students coming from all over the world.. There is more: if all of your students specify the same school when logging in, a dedicated ranking chart will be created, this will allow you to create a class or school spelling contest in no time and for free, for more information about SBN Spelling Tests have a read to this article .

To set the same school for all of your students please follow the instructions here: Set your school .

A great way to play with letters and learn spelling is by finding anagrams of a given word, a cool and common game that is also a great exercise is to invite your students to choose a partner and trying to find as many as possible anagrams out of a given word or word list. Also, along with perfect matching anagrams they can engage in finding out only partial anagrams (i.e. words using only some letters of the original words) and anagrams with repetition (i.e. words composed using the letters from the original words many times).

To check the results you can use the SBN app search engine : just enter the word and click Search, if the word is present in the SBN database, the result page will show, check the anagram section in the bottom right of the page to verify all the anagrams of the given word , for instance entering the word “house”, the anagrams section suggests:

Shoes Hose Shoe

but also anagrams with repetitions as for example Houses

Word search games

Word search games, both printed and online, are one of the funniest learning activities and can be ideal to use in a spelling lesson. Here on the SBN website you can find many word search puzzles , feel free to use them all for your lessons.

You can easily print each puzzle using the printer icon just right under the game and distribute a copy to your students or, in case your class is equipped with computers or tablets, the puzzles can be solved directly online .

Check this page or click the image below to find out wordsearch games for your lessons :

Cool Things To Know About The US National Spelling Bee Finals

Use the sbn spelling bee dictionary.

This spelling homework idea is yet another (slightly) conventional idea you can try to educate your students in spelling the words. Our dictionary could be your best friend ; other than seeing the breakdowns in spelling the words and listen to the pronunciation , students can also learn about the definitions and the anagrams of each single word . Search into SBN dictionary through the SBN app homepage at https://mai.spellingbee.ninja

Spelling word lists divided by grade

Words are the main ingredient to be provided to your students for your own spelling homework ideas. Well, on this website, you will find plenty of spelling word lists, tailored for specific needs, divided by grade of difficulty and ready to be printed and used in your lessons , take spelling tests, printed as flashcards, and more. To get an idea of the resources available have a look to the words list section of the website, each word list is bundled with an explanation article containing, among the other, the list many different formats (printable, pdf, flash cards etc.). Do not forget to have a look to the featured lists section of our app here it contains many custom words lists to be used in your lessons, click the links below to access the featured word list directly in our app:

5th Grade Spelling Words & Activities

Check out these 5th grade spelling words and activities. Whether you're a home school teacher, a classroom teacher, or a parent who's interested in strengthening your own fifth grader's spelling skills, we think you'll find these resources to be very helpful.

List of 5th Grade Spelling Words

5th grade spelling words - A gigantic list of 300 words  compiled after researching textbooks and several leading online resources.  Many of these words are typically included in fifth grade spelling programs; you'll also find a few interesting surprises. Use these words to make your own spelling word games, worksheets or for extra oral practice. From action, actor, and amusement to wound, wreck and x-ray , you'll find words to challenge most levels of students.

5th grade spelling bee words - A list of 100 words, arranged from easiest to most challenging. A good "short list" for your fifth graders to use and practice. Most of these words also appear on our master list of 300 words. Some are more difficult to challenge your best spellers. For something more difficult, go to this directory of spelling bee words . 

5th grade spelling lists - 3 more big lists from typical fifth grade math , science and social studies classes. Lots of great words for your students to learn! These words are great for extra spelling practice, quizzes and language activities. See the links to more spelling lists at the bottom of this page!

5th Grade Vocabulary Words  - Mega-word list of 200 words! Some are arranged  in ten categories to engage your students in topics such as sports, adjectives, people, places, social studies, fruits and more! How about a game of  hilarious   racquetball  on a  tundra  with a  cartographer ? 

5th grade lesson plans - Spelling dictation has never been so simple for teachers and parents! I've written 30 ready-to-go sentences using lots of words on the 5th grade spelling word list. Dictation lessons give students practice with listening, writing and spelling. What could be better? 

Fifth Grade Spelling Words and Activities will provide excelling spelling practice with 240 grade-level words across 12 topical units. Lots of different activities are provided to make learning enjoyable. Learn more and download free sample pages here.

Sixth Grade Spelling Word Lists and Activities   provide extra practice for your students with 240 spelling words, using a wide range of activities.  Go to the full  description page  where you can view samples and purchase your own copy immediately! Great for home school, remote learning and in-person classrooms. Also available for Fifth Grade .

NEW!   Double Take - One of our newest word search puzzles printable! This is TWO fun puzzles in one! First you must finish spelling the words on the word list by inserting the correct pair of missing double letters. There are 42 words in all, and many possible combinations, but only one that works! When you've finished that puzzler, then you can search for all 42 in the word search puzzle. How long will it take you to complete this double take/double treat???

NEW!   Vicious Vowels Search and Find Word Puzzle   Look for 45 words with tricky vowel spellings in this fun word search puzzle! Built-in practice activities will enhance learning. Extension activities also included on the web page. Words appear on our list of sixth grade spelling words , but 4th grade through adult ages will enjoy this challenge!

NEW!   Fourth Grade Find-A-Word Puzzles: Words from our 4th grade spelling word list are hidden in this fun "4" shape for students' FUN and LEARNING! This word search puzzle features words with silent letters. It's printable for your convenience. Don't miss the special twist!

Fifth Grade Writing Prompts

I've written two sets of engaging writing prompts, aligned with our fifth grade spelling word list.  Use these stimulating prompts anytime throughout the year for fun spelling and writing practice!

Set #1 - Twelve engaging prompts featuring a magic frog act, a birthday surprise, Different Day and nine more!

Set #2 - Twelve more writing prompts for 5th grade, featuring a sneaky mouse in the principal's office,  mysterious bubbles and more. 

Spelling Worksheets

Hideaways - One of our most challenging spelling worksheets for Grade 5! Students must carefully choose the correct letter in each clue to spell two hidden words.  It's a fun way to practice spelling and thinking skills!

Shoe Shenanigans  - Great practice in identifying and correcting misspelled 5th grade spelling words in this story about shopping for shoes. Some sentences have misspelled words, but not all of them! Can you students find only the words that need to be corrected, and then fix them properly? Along the way, they'll read a light-hearted story about two friends who go shoe-shopping. 

A Snowy Situation  - Give students valuable spelling AND vocabulary practice with this engaging worksheet. First, they must pick the correctly spelled word in each pair. Then they have to find the sentence in which it makes the most sense. The sentences flow together to tell the story traveling in dangerous conditions. 

Fun, Flexible Fifth Grade Worksheets - "Fish Net" and "Intersecting Synonyms" provide fun spelling practice with almost any spelling word!  If you've been considering my AnyWord Worksheets eBook , here's your chance to try out two pages for free!

Three Part Puzzler - Students must reconstruct 12 familiar words, syllable by syllable in this challenging page. Students will draw lines to connect three word parts, one from each column, to spell a common word. 

Word Search Puzzle - Students identify incorrectly spelled words and find the correct ones in a unique puzzle. The worksheet is based on our fifth grade spelling word list.

So N "ICE" to Know You! -  This page provides great spelling and vocabulary practice for students in middle school and older. Each answer contains the letters ICE. Some of the words are super-easy. Others? Not so much!

Don't miss my brand-new crosswords! I've written a collection of easy crosswords , and some more difficult ones , too. 

Croaky Meets the Plumber and Extra Letters Worksheets : Students chose the correctly spelled words to complete an interesting story or eliminate extra letters to solve a word puzzle.

Brain teasers for all abilities. Try our Level 1 or Level 2 puzzlers for new ways to help students think and spell!

Spelling Games & Activities

Missing Letters and In Between  - Two super-simple ways for students to practice spelling, develop their vocabulary and practice dictionary skills. "Missing Letters" is a great practice activity because once you teach it to your students, they can start making the next versions for you! And we all know, that students learn best when they teach. "In Between" provides fun practice in using alphabetization and guide words. The competitive aspect only adds to the fun!

More Spelling Fun for Kids - New games to play on a Scrabble game board. Mumbo-jumbo, anyone?   

Fifty-Fifty - Fun word game for kids. Older students earn points as they engage in word play and spelling fun.

Here are two fun ideas to put some pizzazz into your weekly spelling bee quizzes. Try these spelling test games this week!

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

Another Spelling Bee Game - Students step up to victory as they help their team advance in this fun new game.

You May Also Enjoy...

Spelling Homework Ideas  The more practice the better! 20 fabulous, flexible ideas for any list of weekly spelling words . Spelling Word Games View our entire collection of interactive games for small and large groups of students. Spelling reinforcement can be fun! Spelling Worksheets See the entire assortment of reproducible pages for spelling practice. Lots of formats from which to choose.

We have helpful  spelling lessons , too, including this  Step-By-Step lesson plan  on those tricky IE/EI words.

AnyWord Spelling Practice Books - A wealth of worksheets, games and writing prompts for practicing any 5th grade spelling words. Use the pages over and over!

Ann Richmond Fisher is a longtime published educational writer, a former classroom teacher and a former homeschool teacher. Ann's spelling bee resources, graded spelling word lists, spelling games, worksheets, and other language arts resources have become respected around the globe since she launched Spelling-Words-Well in 2010.

Ann is also the creator of  www.word-game-world.com .

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Phonics Activities, Phonics Games & More

300 Sixth Grade Spelling Words Your Students Should Master

Think-A-Spell! A fun collection of brain teasers and spelling challenges. Best for ages 10 to adult. 

Sixth Grade Word Lists & Activities :  240 Superb words and lots of learning activities! No printer needed. Also available for fifth grade.   Learn more>>

AnyWord Spelling Practice Series    Fun Worksheets, games & prompts that work with almost ANY spelling words!

Gigantic Spelling Bee Word Lists with definitions, sentences and languages

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

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

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!

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