50 ways to practice spelling words

Last November I wrote this post about different ways to practice spelling words. Now that my kids are in a new school year, I wanted to revamp and add onto that original list.  My daughter is in 2nd grade now and has a longer list of words and they are getting more and more challenging by the week. My son is in kindergarten and doesn’t have spelling words yet, but will later in the year. These techniques can be used for both older and younger kids.

As a former teacher, I can tell you the only way for kids to master their list is to PRACTICE them.  Also remember that most teachers don’t spend too much classroom time devoted to spelling, there just isn’t enough time in the day, so remember how important it is to work on them at home.  The key is making it exciting so your child doesn’t get bored of them. If you change it up nightly then your budding spelling bee winner will be more excited to practice them!

As I said in my first post, I like to keep a list in the car and spell them aloud when we travel. This is an easy way to get in a practice session. Another technique I’ll use if my daughter is struggling with a particular word or two, is to write them on the bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker so she has a constant visual of them when she is in and out of there during the day.

Here are 50 different and FUN ways to practice your child’s spelling words!!

1. Play “roll and spell”: use a dice and each number corresponds to a way to write the words. There are endless ways to do this, but two that Abby likes are “Rainbow words” where each number corresponds to a different color (i.e roll a one, write the word in red, roll a two, write the word in orange…and so on) and this way: 1- write the words with your opposite hand, 2- write the word fast, 3- write the word with your eyes closed, 4- write your words the “Fancy Nancy” way, 5- write the word in all caps, 6- write the word with teeny letters.
2. Write the words with rainbow letters
3. Write the words 3x, BIG, medium, and small
4. Write the words on a white board
5. Use play dough, pipe cleaners, or yarn to make your words (one piece per letter)
6. Use letter stamps
7. Type the words on the computer
8. Pour sugar, salt or shaving cream on a tray and write the words in that (fun and messy)
9. Use chalk outside to write the words
10. Use letter tiles or magnet letters.
11. Paint your words
12. “Hidden Words”-write your words with a white crayon on white paper and then water color paint over them it make the words appear.
13. Cut and paste letters from magazines to spell your words.
14. Draw a flower with a petal for each letter of the word.
15. Make ABC rocks and spell your words
16. Make ABC clothespins and spell your words by clipping them on a “line” or on an index card.
17. Use scrabble tiles to spell your words.
18. Make a free word search using your words.
19. Have mom or dad mix up the letters and the kid has to unscramble them.
20. On paper or a white board, mom or dad writes the word a bunch of times with one ONE being correct, the child has to circle the correct spelling. Write it more times for older kids, less for younger.
21. Use spellingcity.com to practice them online.
22. We downloaded the “super speller” app on the iPad. You type the words and also say them, recording your voice. There are 4 different ways to “practice” and then an option to take a test.
23. Bounce a ball outside while spelling your words, one bounce per letter.
24. Set a timer, see how many times you can write your words in 3 minutes.
25. Write your words in silly sentences.
26. Make a picture and “hide” your words in the picture.
27. Write your words and circle all the vowels.
28. Put your words in ABC order
29. Write your words with your finger on your parents back. (this one is HARD, Abby and I can never tell what each other is writing, lol)
30. Take a written practice test. Remember to correct any unnecessary uppercase letters, if that’s an expectation for your child. Abby will be marked wrong if she does this so we are very vigilant about that.
31. Write your words in bubble letters and then color them in.
32. Make up a word search with your words.
33. Write your words in a pyramid shape.
34. “Add your words”: each vowel is worth 5 and consonants are worth 10, write your words and add their value! (Change the values for little ones)
35. Make up an acrostic poem with your words.
36. Write your words across and down.
37. Write your words like a choo-choo: onerightafteranother.
38. Write a tongue twister for your words.
39. Roll and spell your words aloud! Roll a one- spell in a spooky voice, two- spell in a loud voice, three- a quiet voice, four- a squeaky voice, five- robot voice, six- sing your letters!
40. Make up a cheer for your words.
41. Scratch and sniff: write your words with glue, sprinkle with kool aid and then trace for a yummy smelling way to practice!
42. Write them on an etch a sketch.
43. Play “hangman” with your words.
44. Write a story with all your words, go back and highlight them.
45. Write your words on graph paper and cut them out.
46. Write your words with pieces of pasta.
47. Write your words on a plate of pudding. Yum!
48. In a dark room, “write” your words with a flashlight in the air.
49. Search a magazine or newspaper for your words and circle them when you find them.
50. Spell your words with Legos.

So there you have it!  50 fun and unique ways to practice spelling words with your kids.  Some take longer than others, so spice it up, depending on how much time you have that evening!

Which was is your favorite??