High-frequency word games for kindergarten have always been a favorite of mine! I try to use them in my classroom to support learning whenever possible. After learning the difference between sight words vs. high-frequency words, I knew I needed to provide my students with repeated exposure and practice. Playing high-frequency word games for kindergarten can help students turn high-frequency words into sight words.
Benefits of High-Frequency Word Games for Kindergarten
Why use games for high-frequency words in the classroom? High-frequency word games for kindergarten help students learn while having fun. Simply saying the word game adds instant excitement. Sight word practice games also provide an opportunity to reinforce learning. In addition, when playing games, students may have the opportunity to practice teamwork and problem-solving.
What Are Some High-Frequency Word Games for Kindergarten?
Many games you already have will work great in the classroom. However, if you don’t have any games lying around, you can often find old board games to transform at yard sales, garage sales, or Goodwill. Add high-frequency words to the cards or pieces, and you have created high-frequency word games for kindergarten. These 7 games are also perfect for hands-on sight word activities and sight word literacy centers.
Jenga
Jenga is a well-loved game. Turn this game into a high-frequency word game by writing a high-frequency word on each block. Then, when students pull out a block, they must read the word aloud before placing it on top of the tower.
Tic-Tac-Toe
When playing Tic-Tac-Toe, players typically mark X or O. Instead, have students choose a sight word to write on their turns. The first to get three in a row with their sight word wins.
Hangman
Hangman is already a word game. Instead of picking any word, pick a high-frequency word to play with. Players will take turns guessing letters to spell the high-frequency word before an entire person is drawn. You can also play this game digitally and project it on an interactive whiteboard. Build a House and Food Builder are examples of digital sight word games.
Movement Games
Games and movement are a great combo. Movement Games: Pre-Primer Words and Movement Game: Primer Words allow students to exercise and read simultaneously. Use the programmed boards or enter your own sight words.
Board Games
Candy Land and Connect 4 are just a few examples of board games that can become high-frequency word games. Write words on the Candy Land cards and have students read them before moving to the color. Use yard sale stickers to add sight words to the Connect 4 chips. Read the words before making a play.
Zap
Popsicle sticks and a cup are all that are needed to play Zap. First, write a sight word on each stick. Next, write ZAP on several sticks. Finally, place all of the sticks into the cup. Students take turns pulling out sticks and reading the sight word. If they pull a Zap! they return all of their sticks to the cup.
Memory
Choose the high-frequency words you wish to play with. Write each word on 2 cards. Flip the cards over. To play, students take turns flipping over 2 cards to try and make a match.
When Can I Use High-Frequency Word Games for Kindergarten?
High-frequency word games for Kindergarten can be used in the classroom at various times during the school day. After they have been introduced, they would be a great way to ease into school and start the day! These fun sight word practice games would also be a great way to practice and review during your phonics block. They would also work well during word work, guided reading, or sight word literacy centers. Since your students feel like they are playing and not learning, they may even want to play them during free-choice.
Research shows it can take 17 exposures to learn a new word. Therefore, high-frequency word activities for kindergarten, such as high-frequency word games for kindergarten, will provide exposure and help students turn high-frequency words into sight words.
Check out these other sites to learn more about high-frequency word games for kindergarten:
- 10 Fun Activities for High-Frequency Words
- 20 Sight Word Games, Activities, and Reading Ideas
- 25 Super Sun Sight Word Games
What are some of your favorite high-frequency word games to play with your students?
