Games to ask for again

Build a familiar word. Swap or add one tile, then read the new word. Let them say which tile changed before they read.

Say: “What changed? Read the word now.”

Best forAny set. Silent E pairs make the pink tile click.

For reading, start on the word side. For this spelling game, start on the picture side. Your child says the word slowly, taps a box for each sound, then writes the spellings. Flip to check. Five sounds? Use the paper boxes.

Say: “Say it slowly. What goes in each box?”

Best forFamiliar words only.

Build the word together and read it. Your child closes their eyes while you take one tile away. They put it back and read the word again. Then swap: now they're the thief.

Say: “One tile's gone. Can you put our word back?”

Best forAny set, with words your child already builds comfortably.

Build and read one word, then clear the board and build the other. Keep both cards beside you. Now make a sentence out loud that uses both: fish and boat. The sillier the better.

Say: “Both words in one sentence. Go!”

Best forWords that are already easy, to keep them in use.

Lay the cards word side up along a clear floor route. Your child walks the trail and reads each word, putting a paper marker beside it. At the end, they rearrange the cards for a new trail.

Say: “Where does our word trail go?”

Best forAny set, especially words that are already easy.

Spread the cards word side up. Point to sh, and your child finds every card with that spelling and makes a pile. Then ch, th, wh, ck. Read each pile together.

Say: “Find every sh. Show me.”

Best forThe yellow set first. Green and orange work too.

Turn a card. Read it correctly and keep it. Stuck? Read it together, then put it at the bottom for another go. Count the keep pile and try to beat it another day.

Say: “Read it and it's yours.”

Best forAny set, five minutes.

Read the card together and look closely at the spelling. Cover it with the cloth. Your child builds the word, then uncovers the card to check and reads it. A peek is fine.

Say: “Hide it. Build it. Let's have a look!”

Best forAny set, with words your child has already built.