Over my years of teaching, I have found that educational games are especially important if you have a reluctant or resistant learner. It doesn’t matter if they are struggling or above grade level, some kids just turn off their motivation to learn when it comes in the packaged in a traditional wrapping {such as workbooks, worksheets, etc.}.
If you’re looking for some reading games for kids, these are some fantastic ones to stock up on {or give as a gift}. I have found that many of these games work well for after schooling, tutoring, at a literacy center, or just to play for fun!
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Although it states that these are “reading games” for kids, I have lumped a few of alphabet and spelling games in this list, too, as those are skill that help to build up our readers. Also included with each game is the approximate age that the game fits.
Reading Games for Kids
Spot It Alphabet {Pre-K to K} is a fun game for practicing letter recognition. It does stick with uppercase only, but if you have a reluctant learner, this game may just break the ice when it comes to learning those letter names.
Sequence Letters {Pre-K to 1st grade} is a fun way to work on letter recognition AND letter sounds, which get kids ready to read. Bonus: it’s also a great way to teach vocabulary with younger kids or ESL students!
Charades for Kids {Pre-K and up} sounds like a silly game to place into a post on reading games for kids, but in order for kids to know what they need to act out, they have to READ the cards. Of course, younger children won’t be able to do this, but older ones will. And what a sneaky way to get kids reading! Just in case you’re wondering, the words included on the cards would probably be categorized roughly at the end of 2nd grade level, although some of the words are easier.
Zingo! Sight Words {Pre-K to 1st grade} is a GREAT game for reviewing those beginning sight words. I love how the game has picture clues on the student cards to help kids figure out the words. For example, the word she has a girl pictured. And this game is naturally self-checking because the word tiles match the words on the game boards.
Scrabble Jr. {Pre-K to 3rd grade} is two games in one. On the front side, younger kids can match letters to build already-created words on the board. The back can be played in similar fashion to Scrabble, although there are no numbers on the tiles and the tiles are made of cardboard. We have enjoyed Scrabble Jr. because all 4 of my kids can play it at the same time…well, if we slightly modify the rules for the 3.5 year old!
Super Why ABC Letter Game {K and 1st grade} doesn’t just practice letters, but also works on rhyming, reading basic words, and correcting silly sentences. It’s everything you find on the TV show, Super Why! I would say that this game would work better for K who know their letters and sounds, as some of the skills required to play are probably a little too difficult for younger kids.
Zingo Word Builder {Pre-K to 1st grade} is a super fun game for building CVC words. My 1st grader and Kindergartner play together very well because my 1st grader keeps his board on the side that has two missing letters per word and my K keeps her side where she has 1 missing letter for each word. It’s been a staple in our house this school year!
Hangman Take n’ Play {Pre-K to 3rd grade} is a small, magnetic game like the classic Hangman game. As soon as kids know a few words, they are able to play it. I will say that we don’t take games like this in our car {even on long car trips}, as our seats like to eat small objects and there aren’t enough of all the letters as is to spell longer words with repetitive letters. There’s also an entire line of Take n’ Play games, too!
Rory’s Story Cubes {Pre-K+, although the box says 8+} are very versatile and you can use them for oral storytelling as well as writing stories! Of course, writing, storytelling, and reading are oh, so related!
The Scrabble Boggle Game {2nd grade+} is a fantastic game for using that phonics knowledge to spell words. This game is a little too difficult for my 1st grader. {That’s why I added our phonics cheat sheets for him.} Boggle Jr. would probably be the best option for our family, since it provides more support for young readers; and it may just be one of our Christmas presents this year. 😉
Bananagrams {2nd grade+}, while played differently than Scrabble, has a similar premise {spelling}. It is also another game that we use our phonics cheat sheets with. If you just use the tiles for spelling words, even Pre-K children can use them. My 3.5 year old likes to pull ours out to spell the names of the people in our family on a regular basis.
What are some of your favorite reading games for kids?
More Gift Ideas for Kids:
- Gifts Ideas for Pre-Readers and Pre-Writers
- Toys that Strengthen Fine Motor Skills
- Favorite Book Gift Ideas {from babies/tots to 5th grade}
- Gift Ideas for Kids: No Batteries Required
~Becky
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