14 Fun Spelling Activities

Does your child need a break from their spelling textbook? Here is a list of 14 unique ways to spice up their spelling using their word list from their book. You could also print a list of words from the internet or use words from their reading and writing assignments that they need to work on.

#1 Art Flash Cards- Make art flash cards to help them practice and retain new words. Combining art in, on or around words stimulates the brain in a way that can help struggling spellers remember how to spell words. This is a method that I used a lot with one of my boys. I first learned about it from the Brain Integration Therapy Manual by Diane Craft. They are not drawing a picture for each spelling word but rather the art must be incorporated into or around the spelling word.

#2 Car Spelling- Have your child write their spelling words out on a small piece of paper and tape it to your car dash. When you are out and about you can ask your child to spell them orally.

#3 Jump Spelling- Have your child write out their spelling words using large letters on paper. Place this paper out in front of them. You may want a box or something to tape it to so they can see the words while jumping. Have them jump rope while they say each letter of their spelling word with each jump.

#4 Spelling Hopscotch- If the weather is nice, get out the chalk and draw a hopscotch out on the pavement. Place letter tiles in each square and have them spell while playing the game. If the weather is not so good, you could do this inside using post-it notes. Write a spelling word out onto several post-it-notes, one letter on each paper. Stick to the floor, in order, with a little jumping space between each letter. Have your child say each letter as he/she jumps on them to spell.

#5 Window Paint Spelling- If your desperate to make spelling fun you could let your kids use window paint pens (the kind you use for car windows) and let them write out their spelling words on a window, mirror or sliding door. We did this a long time ago and my kids thought it was fun. We left it up for a week or two and let them practice reading and spelling from the sliding glass door. Sometimes unexpected things like this keep them engaged each week because they never know what fun activity you may throw at them.

#6 Role Play Switch-Up- You become the student and they become the teacher. Have them give you a spelling test using their word list. You could” accidentally” spell a few wrong to see if they can find the mistakes as they correct your test. You might be surprised at how much this activity can help them remember their spelling words. Plus, they think your doing all the work. Don't tell them that correcting and finding errors can be just as much of a challenge as spelling them.

#7  Process of Elimination-  Write out a spelling word on a dry erase board. Have them spell it by looking at the word, then erase one letter and replace it with a dash _ _ _. Keep doing this until the whole word is erased and replaced with dashes, spelling it each time a letter is erased and until they have it memorized. This is also a great method for memorizing bible scripture verses or long essays for learning public speaking skills.

#8 Spelling Scavenger Hunt- Let your child find objects around the house or classroom and ask you to spell them for him. This is fun because its up to the child to find the objects. Tell them they need to find 10 or 15 objects, you can spell them orally and have them repeat after you. Another variation is to do a letter hunt and hide letters around the home to find. Then tell them to spell as many words as they can with the letters they found.

#9 Letter Tile Spelling Race- Use Bananagram letter tiles to spell out each spelling word. Set a timer and let them spell each word while looking at their spelling list, keeping them grouped together until they finish all of them. Write down their time. The next day, challenge them to beat their time as they spell all their spelling words again (or a group of them). The third or fourth time they do this activity, cover up the last part of each spelling word so all they see is the beginning of the word for a prompt. See if they can spell them correctly without seeing all of the word.

#10 Video Spelling- Challenge your child to make a spelling video. Record your child spelling their words on a smart phone using flash cards or have them write them out on a white board as you say each spelling word and letter out loud for them.  Have them listen or watch it each day and practice spelling them out loud with the video. Another idea is to let them make up a silly song or dance as they practice their spelling words. You can easily multiply your time and effort because your student can watch it all week long to practice while you get other things done.

#11 Computer Spelling- Kids love being on the computer, so, why not let them type up their spelling list in Microsoft Word. Let them get creative by changing the font, color or size for each spelling word as well. This is a fun way to incorporate graphic design. Another idea is to spell their words in the Paint program. Let them paint their words using a paintbrush with free-style motions.

#12 Refrigerator Spelling Challenge- Spell each spelling word with letter magnets. Leave the list up on the fridge all week for practice and review. Challenge them to read and spell their words each time they open up the refrigerator.

Here are a couple more spelling ideas that you might be familiar with, however, I can't help but include them because they are fun. Although you might not think they are unique, your kids will!

#13 Spelling Board Game Fun- Pull out your spelling games, spelling bee, and spelling bingo resources and have some fun. Our favorite spelling game is Fishing for Sight Words by Lakeshore Learning. You could also organize a spelling bee with a few friends.

#14 Finger Spelling- And last but not least, write out their spelling words with their finger in sand, shaving gel or paint. This one never gets old and kids always love getting messy with paint or shaving gel.