Literacy games for kids are a powerful way to build reading, writing, and language skills while keeping learning fun and engaging. Instead of relying on worksheets or drills, literacy games encourage children to interact with words through play, movement, and creativity. These activities support phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and sentence structure in a natural way. Whether used in the classroom, at home, or in small groups, literacy games help students stay motivated and develop confidence as readers and writers.
20 literacy games for kids
Below are 20 literacy games for kids that make reading practice fun, interactive, and effective while building essential phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
1. Word search
A classic staple for a reason, word searches help children develop pattern recognition and improve their spelling. By scanning a grid for specific sequences of letters, kids learn to focus on the individual components of a word. You can easily customize these to match a weekly vocabulary list or a favorite book theme, making the search feel like a personalized treasure hunt.
To save time, teachers and parents can use the Word Search Maker to quickly generate custom word searches that match their lesson goals or vocabulary lists.
2. Sight word bingo
Sight words – those tricky “rule-breakers” like the, was, and of – are best mastered through repetition. Bingo turns this drill into a high-stakes (but friendly) competition. As you call out words, children must quickly identify them on their cards. This builds rapid recognition, which is a cornerstone of reading fluency.
3. Alphabet scavenger hunt
Get those little legs moving with an alphabet scavenger hunt. Challenge your child to find objects around the house that start with each letter of the alphabet. Not only does this burn off energy, but it also reinforces the connection between letter sounds and real-world objects, grounding abstract concepts in tangible reality.
4. Phonics matching game
Download the CVC matching worksheet here!
Phonics is the bedrock of reading. In this game, you create pairs of cards: one with a letter or blend (like “CH”) and another with a picture of an object starting with that sound (like a “CHair”). Flipping the cards over to find a match exercises memory while cementing the relationship between graphemes and phonemes.
5. Sentence scramble
Write a simple sentence on a strip of paper, then cut it into individual words. Your child’s mission is to rearrange the words into the correct order. This game is fantastic for teaching syntax and sentence structure, helping kids understand that the order of words is just as important as the words themselves.
For quick setup, teachers and parents can use a Sentence Scramble Generator to instantly create sentence scramble worksheets tailored to their students’ reading level.
6. Reading charades
Who says reading has to be a sedentary activity? Write down action verbs or scenes from a favorite book on slips of paper. Children must read the prompt silently and then act it out for others to guess. This reinforces reading comprehension by requiring the child to internalize and interpret the text physically.
7. Word family sort
Focus on “word families” – groups of words that rhyme or share a common ending like –at (cat, bat, hat). Provide a pile of word cards and several “houses” or bins for each family. Sorting these helps children recognize linguistic patterns, making it much easier for them to decode new words they encounter later.
8. Story sequencing cards
Understanding the “beginning, middle, and end” of a narrative is a vital literacy skill. Use cards that depict different scenes from a story and ask your child to place them in the correct chronological order. This builds logical reasoning and helps children grasp the flow of narrative arcs.
9. Rhyming word race
Use this worksheet to support your rhyming word race!
Set a timer for one minute and see how many words your child can come up with that rhyme with a starter word like “blue.” This fast-paced game sharpens phonemic awareness, teaching kids to manipulate sounds within words, which is a key predictor of future reading success.
10. Vocabulary Pictionary
If your child loves to draw, this is a winner. Pick a more challenging vocabulary word and have the children sketch its meaning while you guess. Translating a word’s definition into a visual image requires a deep level of cognitive processing, ensuring the new word actually sticks in their long-term memory.
11. Spin & read
Create a simple spinner labeled with different categories (e.g., “words with 5 letters,” “words that start with B,” or “action words”). Whatever the spinner lands on, the child must find and read a corresponding word from a book or a word wall. It adds an element of chance and excitement to basic reading practice.
12. Mystery word clues
Think of this as “I Spy” for the brain. Give your child phonetic or semantic clues about a “mystery word” you’re thinking of (e.g., “It starts with the /sh/ sound and it’s something we wear on our feet”). This encourages active listening and deduction based on linguistic rules.
13. Picture-to-sentence game
Lay out several illustrations and a corresponding set of descriptive sentences. The child must read each sentence and match it to the correct picture. This ensures they aren’t just “barking at print” (reading words without understanding) but are actually extracting meaning from the text.
14. Word building blocks
Use plastic building blocks and write a letter on each one with a dry-erase marker. Kids can physically snap the letters together to build words. The tactile nature of this game is especially helpful for kinesthetic learners who need to “feel” the structure of a word to understand it.
15. Reading board game
Transform a standard board game by adding a “reading tax.” To move their piece, the child must read a card or identify a letter sound. This integrates literacy into an existing favorite activity, making the learning feel like a seamless part of playtime rather than an interruption.
16. Context clue challenge
Write sentences with one word missing and provide a few options to fill in the blank. The child must use the surrounding words to determine which one fits. This is a crucial skill for advanced comprehension, as it teaches kids how to navigate unfamiliar vocabulary in the wild.
17. Story dice
Roll dice that feature icons (like a dragon, a spaceship, or a clock) and use the results to invent a story. While this is a speaking activity, it builds the foundational narrative skills needed for writing. It encourages creativity and helps kids understand how characters and settings interact.
18. Silent reading response cards
After a period of silent reading, hand your child a “response card” with a prompt like “What was the funniest part?” or “Predict what happens next.” This keeps them mentally active while they read alone and provides a structured way to discuss their books afterward.
19. Vocabulary role-play
Pick a “word of the day” – perhaps something descriptive like gigantic or melancholy – and have a mini-scene where you both use that word in context. Socially performing a word’s meaning helps bridge the gap between knowing a definition and actually being able to use the word in speech and writing.
20. Letter sound toss
Place several pieces of paper with different letters on the floor. Have your child toss a beanbag or a soft toy onto a letter and immediately shout out the sound it makes (or a word that starts with it). It’s a great way to combine gross motor skills with phonics practice.
Final thoughts
Using literacy games for kids is an effective way to make reading and language learning enjoyable and meaningful. These games support essential skills such as phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension while keeping students motivated. By rotating different literacy games throughout the week, teachers and parents can address multiple learning styles and abilities. When children associate literacy with fun and success, they are more likely to build strong reading habits that last well beyond the classroom.
