There’s no doubt about it: Building a strong bank of sight words helps readers read and write more fluently and accurately. While we always want kids thinking about letter-sound correspondence in words, many high-frequency words break common phonetic rules. So what to do when “the” sounds like “th-uh” but is spelled t-h-e? Practice, practice, practice, of course! Check out this mega-list of low-prep, multi-sensory, and FUN sight word activities for kids to use in the classroom or at home.
1. Find and swat words
An oldie but such a goodie. Find a word in an array and WHACK—swat it with a fly swatter.
Source: @kids_play_learn_laugh
2. Flip word pancakes
Serve up sight word pancakes while practicing spelling them aloud!
Source: @bee_happy_teaching
3. Hunt for treasure words in colored salt
Kids love using the paintbrush for “discovering” each word card.
Source:@loveforlittlelearners
4. Search for sight word balls
Write sight words on ball pit balls with a chalk marker or dry erase marker. Kids can race around hunting for balls to read and toss in a basket or hunt through a big tub of balls for a certain word.
Source: @preschoolforyou
5. Start a sight word band
Loud but oh-so-fun! Feel the rhythm while tapping and reading sight words stuck to homemade percussion instruments.
Source: @reception_withmissf
6. Drive on a sight word path
This is one of many fun ways to use magnetic tiles for learning! Kids love “knocking down” word tiles with a toy car as they read each one.
Source: @travisntyler
7. Use sticky notes to inspire sight word sentences
Have kids stick words on items that give them ideas for sentences. “My Mom said to wear a helmet!” = so good!
Source: @kinneypodlearning
8. Write words on a sensory bag
So easy: Fill a zip-top bag with a small amount of paint, seal well, and have kids practice “writing” sight words with their finger or a cotton swab.
Source: @makeitmultisensory
9. Wear a sight word crown
Wear your word proudly and practice reading others’ words. Fun in person or virtually!
Source: @mrsjonescreationstation
10. Make a rock word wall
Fun to make and fun for play! Great for learning sight words outdoors.
Source: @heartsandhandshomeschool
11. Spell words to a familiar tune
Get sight words stuck in everyone’s head, in a good way.
Source: @saysbre
12. Feed a word monster
Nom, nom, nom.
Source: @ecplayandlearn
13. Search for the pom-pom under sight word cups
Read all the words as you try to find the cup that hides the prize.
Source: @la.la.learning
14. Play sight word KABOOM
This classroom classic is perfect for sight words. If you need a refresher on the rules, teacher Jillian Starr covers them.
Source: @essentiallykinder
15. Roll and write words
Roll, write, repeat.
Source: @mylittlepandamonium
16. Write words with rainbow colors
Bonus points for smelly markers.
Source: @mylittlepandamonium
17. Trace words with flashlights
Stock up on batteries because kids never get tired of this!
Source: @giggleswithgreg
18. Find words in plastic eggs
Give kids a checklist of words to find as they open each egg.
Source: @blooming_tots1
19. Spy words around the classroom
Just add a magnifying glass and clipboard to make kids feel like super sleuths!
Source: @readingcorneronline
20. Find words in the morning message
Don’t forget about old standbys! This is one of our favorite ways to get kids to recognize sight words in connected text.
Source: @tales_of_a_kinder_classroom
21. Build words with bricks
Such a great use of extra building bricks!
Source: @raysinkinder
22. Write words in sand
Easy-peasy to set up and keep neat if you use plastic pencil boxes.
Source: @teacherhacks
23. Spell words on a construction site
Bulldozing over each word to read it is the best part!
Source: @planningplaytime
24. Spell words with toy cars
Drive on over!
Source: @lozlovesprep
25. Park in a sight word “parking lot”
This one is easy to modify based on whatever toys are available in the classroom or at home.
Source: @msbendersclassroom
26. “Plant” words in play dough
Watch those reading skills grow!
Source: @planningplaytime
27. Build words in a sensory tub
Because spelling is just more fun when your hands are covered in beans!
Source: @coffeeandspitup
28. Write words on a magnetic drawing board
That eraser track makes for a perfect word card holder!
Source: @moffattgirls
29. Or, write words on the window!
Everyone wants a turn to write on the window!
Source: @kindergarten_matters
30. Shhh! Discover words written in invisible ink
Write words in white crayon and reveal them with watercolors on top!
Source: @teachstarter
31. Dot-paint words with a cotton swab
Calming and effective.
Source: @sightwordactivities
32. “Type” words on a keyboard
Busy day at the sight word office! Use a keyboard cover or any old keyboard.
Source: @lifebetweensummers
33. Read words before heading through the door
The line leader can double as the word pointer during transitions.
Source: @ms.rowekinder
34. Read the word the teacher’s wearing!
Wait, is there something on my shirt?
Source: @theprimarypartner
35. Take a sight word cakewalk
Choose a winning word when the music stops!
Source: @joyfulinkinder
36. Play sight word hopscotch
If you can’t get outdoors, tape on the floor works just as well.
Source: @wheretheliteracygrows
37. Jump, chant, and spell
Great for the wiggles. Write a word on the ground and jump sideways to each letter while chanting a word’s spelling.
Source: @little.footsteps.big.learning
38. Go sight word bowling
No bowling pins? Use half-filled plastic water bottles instead.
Source: @thecreativeteacher_
39. Ready, aim, read
Just throw a beanbag at a word target if foam darts are a no-go.
Source: @laurens_lil_learners
40. Play muffin tin ball toss
Toss and read. It’s easy to use colored muffin cups to prep different sets of words.
Source: @homeschooling_fun_with_lynda
41. Read words to beat the clock
How many words can you read before the time is up?
Source: @creatinginkindergarten
42. Play sight word checkers
King me! If kids don’t have a partner available, they can “play” with a stuffed animal and get double practice.
Source: @sightwordactivities
43. Play sight word Guess Who?
Set up this game once and use it forever.
Source: @lessons_and_lattes
We’d love to hear—what are your favorite sight word activities? Share in the comments below.
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Plus, what are sight words?
