Fun Word Family Game
What Are Word Families?
Teaching children word families is a phonemic awareness technique that helps children see patterns in reading. This is an important language development skill because it allows children to begin “reading” by grouping sets of letters within a word. To put it simply, word families (sometimes called “chunks”) are groups of words that rhyme. The first part of a word is called the onset and the last part of the word is conveniently called the rime. Word families share a similar “rime” as the onset changes.
Letter Dice Word Family Game
This fun family word game using a letter dice is perfect for children who already know their letter names, letter sounds, and are starting to put sounds together to form words (probably around ages 4.5-5). Obviously, this is not a game that I have tried out with either of my kids…but I plan to pass it along to my nephew who will start kindergarten in the fall. I currently only have two sets of word families, but plan to add more so be sure to check back!
Materials Needed:
- cardstock
- printed copies of the game which can be downloaded here,
- (2) 1-inch wooden blocks
- a permanent marker
- laminator
(optional)
Instructions for Letter Word Game:
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| 1. Download and print the documents I created here. Laminate if you’d like. |
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| 2. Cut out the letter and word pictures. |
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| 3. Write the letters for the beginning of the word pictures on the two different wood blocks. |
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| 4. Arrange the word pictures above the word family mat. |
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| 5. Let your child roll the letter dice on the mat and then find the matching picture. |
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| Continue with the other word family group! |
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| Store in a Ziploc bag for next time! |
This post was first published 2011. Updated 2018.
Click here for more fun letter games & activities:
30+ Fun Word Family Activities
Word Family Game: Snowball Toss
Word Family Activity with Duplo Blocks
Awesome Sight Word Activities for Kids
Fun Learning Activities For 3 to 5 Year Olds
Lindsay says
March 21, 2011 at 3:14 pmVery fun game! My son will be 4 next month and has just started to want to read some words. I think he would love this game!
Kelly says
March 21, 2011 at 3:55 pmLove it (as I do all your posts) but wouldn't the correct term be RIME? :)
Jenae says
March 21, 2011 at 4:04 pmKelly,
Ha, ha! You are so right…I've been out of the classroom for way too long. :)
I made the necessary correction.
Cathy says
March 22, 2011 at 11:50 amThanks! This looks great for my going-to-kindergarten-in-the-fall daughter. We'd play it today if I had anything to make the die. I recently found your blog and have really enjoyed the ideas, so much for both my daughter and two-year-old son. Looking forward to more!
huana says
March 22, 2011 at 3:25 pmSo great idea! Tnx for sharing,we'll try!
Joyce Grant says
March 23, 2011 at 7:06 amThis is a great game!
On my blog, I've got a contest where I'm looking for great literacy activities and games. I'd love it if you entered this one! To enter, just put a link to this game in our "Comments" area. The prize is one of three puzzles from Hasbro.
Cheers,
Joyce Grant
http://www.gkreading.com (Getting Kids Reading)
Melissa says
March 25, 2011 at 1:06 pmgreat idea! I was just looking for a game to have at home that was working with word families.
ChildTalk says
March 27, 2011 at 8:35 pmHow fun!! My 6 year old is learning to read, and I have a feeling he would love this activity!
Michelle says
March 28, 2011 at 10:20 pmThis is so clever! I am a new follower and I would love if you would link this up to my Made by Little Hands Monday linky party!
Have a great day!
Michelle
http://www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com
favouriteworkofart says
April 15, 2011 at 7:17 amGreat idea, great game but I can't download the files :(
Kristin @ Preschool Universe says
August 16, 2011 at 6:35 pmThis is great! I’m doing a post on word families and will be linking here. I was actually looking for one of your posts I saw on facebook a few weeks ago – the paper towel roll and paint stirrer thingies? – it says “page not found?”
I love that you included free printables with this – it makes things so much easier ;)
Jenae says
August 16, 2011 at 6:37 pmHere it is: https://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011/06/word-family-pull-out-activity/
Where were you looking so I can update it? Since switching over from Blogger to WordPress, a few things have gone missing. :)
Kristin @ Preschool Universe says
August 16, 2011 at 6:42 pmThanks! I was just returning here to tell you I found it in your search results. I had clicked through google reader.
Would it be ok to include one picture of each of the posts along with a link back? I’m not posting directions or anything, just a short description….
Jenae says
August 16, 2011 at 7:04 pmSure! Thanks for asking!
Emily O. says
December 12, 2011 at 8:06 pmThis is a great idea! I’m pinning it so I can use it when my son’s a little older. I’ve found a lot of creative ideas for him through your blog- thank you for sharing!
robyn says
March 4, 2012 at 5:59 pmgreat game I added it to our literacy center thanks for sharing.
family daycare
Heather says
July 10, 2012 at 11:22 amI was having trouble downloading the cards. It sent me to a strange site. Do you have a pdf file for this?
Thanks,
Heather
Rose says
July 16, 2012 at 9:38 pmGreat idea! Where can I find a wooden cube like this?
Lori says
January 26, 2013 at 7:49 amI just wanted to let you know that I linked back to this blog post in my blog and used one of your pictures for the word families game. I’m new to linking blogs and usually take my own pictures. If you want me to change anything please let me know. I want to give proper credit and not step on any toes.
Thanks for the great ideas.
Lori
Deb says
February 8, 2013 at 10:24 pmHi Jenae: This is great! I wanted your permission to use one of the photos. This is for my ED 123 Reading strategies class. Our assignment was to find and post a word families activity, and I just love this one. Since citing sources is very important in this class, I will certainly cite your blog and first name.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Deb
Jenae says
February 8, 2013 at 11:13 pmYou must certainly have my permission. Thanks!
Deb says
February 8, 2013 at 10:29 pmOh No! I cannot open the link to print the cards. Says, “Page Not Found.” Is it posted elsewhere?
Jenae says
February 8, 2013 at 11:12 pmI just uploaded it to my server (instead of the 4Shared). Try the link again and it should work. :)
farhana says
April 17, 2013 at 8:51 amThank you so much sharing the word family game. It’s fantastic!
SHIRLY says
May 3, 2013 at 12:26 amWow Nice idea!
MOmmys will definitely Love it!
Diane Hurst says
May 20, 2013 at 4:02 pmThis game looks fun to play! I like the way you used dice with letters– that makes it more interesting than just choosing letters to go at the start of word families, and is also great for tactile variety.
[email protected] says
March 1, 2014 at 1:58 pmLove this site! I was wondering if your ebook has more games than are posted on the blog? Thank you!
tawfek says
October 31, 2014 at 7:20 pmI have another game but how to post it
Alike says
November 15, 2015 at 1:48 amHi,I write from Ghana.I am establishing a reading club that will help everyone especially children learn to read.Currently i am collecting reading games .Id be glad if you could share your game with me through my e mail.
We’d make sure you get your credits on our website and other relevant stuff.
Thanks
Joe Solomon says
April 15, 2019 at 3:32 pmGood evening. I just stumbled into your superb article on teaching kids how to read with lots of funfilled activities. I can’t wait to try them out. Thanks.
Steph @MisplacedBrit says
January 26, 2015 at 2:58 pmThis is fantastic!! I’ll be printing it this weekend.
Thanks for a lovely, resourceful share :-)
Gabriela says
May 29, 2016 at 11:56 amI just stumbled onto your page looking for the solar oven and I love your site. You have so much resources and activities that I can try with my children. I love this word family game and I can’t wait to try it out with my daughter.
Thank you again!