Try Not to Moo – A Silly Phonogram Game
So what do cows have to do with phonograms? Actually…nothing! But the cows in this silly phonogram game will make reviewing phonograms like S, CH, and AY a ton of fun for your child. But whatever you do, try not to moo!
Prepare Your “Try Not to Moo” Game
- Download the “Try Not to Moo” phonogram game.
- Print the phonogram and Moo cards back to back and cut them out along the dotted lines.
Playing “Try Not to Moo”
Are you ready? This could get a bit silly!
Select the phonogram cards you want to review with your child and place them in a pile with the phonograms facing down. Be sure to add a few Moo cards to the pile!
Have your child select a card and turn it over. If the card has a phonogram on it, have your child recite all the sounds of that phonogram. (Hint: the numbers on the cowbells indicate the number of sounds each phonogram makes.)
If the child correctly recites the sound(s), he can keep the card. If he misses one or more of the sounds, review the sounds together and return the card to the draw pile.
If your child selected a Moo card, she must moo like a cow!
Continue playing until your child has successfully recited all the phonograms and collected all the cards.
Need help with the phonogram sounds?
- To view the sounds and sample words for each phonogram, refer to the Phonogram Sounds Record on pages 15-17 of the activity download.
- To hear the sounds that each phonogram makes, visit our Phonogram Sounds App.
Try Not to Moo! Phonogram Game Options
- To play with multiple children, create a draw pile for each child.
- To play with children who are in different levels, include phonograms from each child’s current level and lesson.
What’s your favorite way to review phonograms? Let me know in the comments below!
Talia
says:We love this game! Of course, I stack the deck in my kiddos favor so he always wants to play again!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThat’s a great way to keep your child motivated to keep reviewing, Talia! Good idea.
Jordan
says:My kids have loved this game! We just did it with all of the basic letter sounds, and they wanted to play it over and over! Little did they know they’re just basically reviewing flash cards! 😆
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceJordan,
That is what’s so wonderful about a really good educational game! It will seem like fun play and nothing more, but it really is so much more. 😊
Amy
says:I need to incorporate play more. Thanks.
Lauren
says:Finding learning games that kiddos of multiple levels can play together is definitely a struggle. I love that they can play this game with each other so one is not feeling left out that the other ‘gets a fun game’ and they don’t. Plus scouring the internet and blogs for the perfect game for each situation is just plain tiring. Ain’t nobody got time fo’ that! This whole program is definitely a blessing for one burnt out, overwhelmed mom. All the resources and activities I could want in one place!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceMany of us at All About Learning Press are homeschoolers, Lauren, so we understand! I hope your kiddos have a lot of fun (and some learning) with this game.
Becky B
says:I love that y’all have fun printables and games – for free! We’ve used a few and it’s always a nice break from the norm :) thank you!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Becky! We’re glad to give you a change up from the norm once in a while.
Terri frazier
says:Looks like a game my daughter would enjoy!
Therese
says:Looking forward to trying this game!
Laura Kirsop
says:We are going to try this. Thanks!
Lori Knight
says:How cute! I am downloading this one.
Robyn
says:I am so grateful for the AAR/AAS systems. Child #2 is learning to read with them, and #3 will be starting in the fall. All of the materials are wonderful and little “extras” like this game are the icing on the cake. Thank you for all that you do!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou are so welcome, Robyn! 😊
Annabel
says:It’s all about making it fun. Great idea!
Emily
says:We raise beef cows and so my kids were really into this game. This was great fun and now they actually get it out and play on their own outside of “school” time.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceLove it, Emily! When kids want to play a review game during their free playtime, you know it’s great fun!
Aubrey
says:So fun!
Jena Roach
says:I downloaded this one and my younger intervention students loved using this. I winner
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you for letting us know this was a hit with your students, Jena!
Elizabeth
says:Thanks for making games that are fun so my son actually looks forward to learning to read!
Melany wilkins
says:So cute
Aimee
says:Thank you for all the games you provide, both in the program, and extras like this one. All my children enjoy the games, but my youngest really seems to learn best by using the games. It gives him lots of opportunity to practice the current lesson over and over in a fun way. He doesn’t even realize that learning is happening–he is just having fun playing games!!
Hannah
says:A simple twist to make a mundane exercise into a fun game. Looking forward to trying it.
Elizabeth McKlemurry
says:Good game idea, thank you!
Jackie Howard
says:This is a very fun and engaging activity for practicing phonograms.
Elizabeth Amy
says:Too fun! This is a great idea for budding readers.
Sheree keenum
says:What a fun idea! My kids will love this.
Valerie
says:As soon as my kids saw this with the silly cow, they wanted to play it right away! Thanks for another fantastic resource!
Corrine
says:My children and I are so happy with the All About Reading program. All the games are an easy, not much prep work besides cutting it out and they speak to the children’s eagerness for fun while learning. I can’t wait to introduce this one to my kids!
Michelle
says:I have a Kindergartner and a 2nd grader. We love this game and app.
Amanda
says:What a fun game! This will be great to review sounds with my kids!
Lisa Griswold
says:This looks like a lot of fun practicing phonograms. I can’t wait to try it out!
Janna
says:This is fabulous. I can’t wait to introduce it to my kids
Amber
says:This is really cool. I’m excited to try this with my little one!
Stacy Alley
says:This is so cute! My son is going to love it!
Melissa K
says:This looks like a great game 😊
Gina H
says:How fun!*To this day, *I* Moo at the cows when we’re out and about!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThis made me smile, Gina! I don’t moo much at cows, but I do baa at sheep. 😊
Jamey
says:Gotta try this
Heather Humphries
says:So fun!
Dave Gibb
says:love learning through play
AmyBeth Ball
says:My daughter loves the silly games. Learning through fun is the best!
Nichole Kilgore
says:This looks like so much fun!
Maria Lord
says:we LOVE all about reading. My son has advanced leaps and bounds when he was previously stuck! Love it! And can’t wait to do this came tomorrow.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThis is great to hear, Maria! It’s wonderful to hear that All About Reading is working so well for your son.
Mel Borhi
says:my son would love this game very cool.
Teresa Locklear
says:Love the visuals that you use.
Nicki
says:My kids love learning through play, so we will try this!
KRISTINA KULPACA
says:This is great for both my kids. My 8 yo really loves to help his 3.5 yo sister learn right along with him. I love this program for many reason, the greatest is the bond and love for learning for my kiddos. Thank you 😁
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceKristina,
That’s one thing I loved when I first saw this game! All the phonograms that come with it allows children at different levels to all play together. Have lots of fun!
Tina
says:I love that it has options to play at multiple
levels. I’m just starting out homeschooling my 4 children together. Resources that can be done with all 4 really makes a difference.
Bryan Vice
says:this is perfect for any child
Shellie Clark
says:Game sounds awesome!
Tabathia B
says:this seems interesting
Nicole Rauch
says:Can’t wait to try this out!
Crystal
says:I’ve been looking for different programs that would help my son. Will look into it.
Jenfer Richards
says:Game sounds amazing I would purchase if my son was younger
myz
says:wow! interesting
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceJenfer,
This game is a free download; no need to purchase. It includes advanced phonograms as well; up through All About Spelling 5. I don’t know your son’s age, but we’ve been told that some 6th graders have enjoyed this game.
Shelby
says:This looks like something that would work really well for my beginning readers.
Shantel Jones
says:I love this game! I just downloaded it and am excited to try it!
Courtney
says:sounds like a fun way to review phonograms!!
Annie MT Curry
says:love these
lynn
says:Interesting way of teaching. thanks.
Melissa Cannon
says:This is a really great tool to make spelling and reading so much more fun for our kids! We’re loving All About Spelling!
Gale
says:That’s a cute game. Sillyness helps!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYes, silliness makes learning fun! Thank you, Gale.
Kelly O
says:What a fun way to practice phonograms!!!
Michelle Schackow
says:Looks like a lot of fun.
Monique
says:This looks like a great game to play. I’m sure that my child would like this.
Patricia Bates Martinez
says:This looks like so much silly fun way to learn! Thank you for the opportunity to win great prizes.
Rachel Shoemaker
says:This is such a cute idea! All about learning has such amazing resources! I have tried several reading programs and am excited to finally find this because it’s exactly what i have been wanting: something that teaches the phonics rules, is hands on, and gives very clear teacher instructions. I don’t have to search out the whys behind a lot of the rules and exceptions like I did with many other programs. Thank you for your excellent material!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou are welcome, Rachel. Let me know if you have any questions or need help with placement or anything.
Kristin
says:I’m excited to try this! My four year old is begining to read on her own, but I’m trying to wait a bit for formal reading instruction. We have been doing the games in the pre-reading program, but she already knows all the letters and their common sounds. She’s able to read the first three Bob books, so she’s starting to blend sounds. I just don’t want to rush and push too hard. I think a game like this will be a great way to introduce her to more of the sounds and reinforce what she knows without pressure. Thanks so much!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceKristin,
It does sound like this game will be a great resource for you and your little one!
However, I understand your wanting to keep learning at this young age fun and light, but you may want to take a look at the All About Reading level 1 samples. It is designed to be fun and interactive. We typically recommend just 20 minutes a day, but with such a young student you could work on her reading in even shorter periods. It does sound like she is very much ready for All About Reading level 1 and will do well with it.
Claire
says:Very cute!
James MacEwen
says:What a fun and educational game for the kids!
Megan
says:I really love this game! Thank you! Question… what is your advice on teaching struggling readers all the sounds a phonogram makes at once? I feel this can lead to confusion, particularly for those with working memory issues. With the app, all the sounds of a phonogram are said, and I find myself telling my tutoring students to really focus in and listen to the first sound, which is the one I have taught them thus far.
Lori Pierce
says:This is such a wonderful game for young kids.
Phyllis Huebbe
says:This sounds like a fun game!
Motionless Trees
says:What a splendid creation! This is definitely a fun and engaging way to help kids learn their phonograms. Might have benefited me as a child with my enunciation.
Emma
says:So awesome!! My son is 8 yrs old and he still enjoys when we do games and activities, and I am sure he will love this one . Downloaded and ready for printing😍😊 thank you
Barrie
says:Sounds like a great way for kids to learn! I love that this has different levels so you can start where your kiddo needs to start!
Salina
says:Looks like a great game for my youngest. Will be adding to my homeschool day!
tammy ta
says:This loks really cute. Wish I had it for my kids when they were little. Bet it helps a lot, in a fun way too!
Molli Taylor
says:this game looks incredibly cute, my kids would love it
Rena
says:My son loves farm animals so this will be a fantastic learning tool!
Rebecca Tubbs
says:This is an exciting game for us homeschoolers!
TIM
says:Looks a great game for kids to play — especially for home-school!
Anita Laveena Dsouza
says:If you focus on creative, hands-on activities that appeal to your child’s interests, learning will always be fun!”
Nwani Godfrey Chijindu (GodinoArts)
says:Fun way for kids to recite phonograms! Smartest way to teach my kids.
LuVena H
says:How fun!
Derek Melanson
says:I remember playing those games when my son was younger. Now at 17, not so much.
KATHLEEN CRIPPS
says:this looks like a really fun game to play.
Iswarya Balakrishnan
says:Such a fun game to play with kids!
Pamela Earwood
says:Really cute game! Fun way to review phonograms but keeping it stress levels down!
Laura Q
says:What a fun way to practice phonograms!
Alicia
says:This looks like a fun game!
Mildred Rutherford
says:Never heard of this before. Looks like a fun game to play.
Bruce
says:My granddaughter would love this game
BlackAsphodel
says:Thank you for sharing!
Cindy
says:Looks like a lot of fun.
Georgette H
says:So much fun! Thank you!
Ashley
says:This looks like so much fun!
Amon Coleman
says:We love these games!
brenda s niles
says:This looks like a fun activity to use not only with my young students but with my granddaughter!
Holly Cossiboom
says:This game looks like so much fun!
Sandra Dufoe
says:My grandchildren would love this game.
Christine Knapp
says:Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. The Try Not to Moo! game looks hilarious!
Jill Franseen
says:These games like so much fun and I have a group of kids that are the perfect age!
Kathleen Jones
says:This looks like a great way to encourage emergent readers. I love the fact that it engages the readers and gives them a self-check system, and it’s just silly enough to make them want to play more often. Great idea!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Kathleen. I loved that self-check aspect too. It gives that extra reinforcement of the sounds even if the child is correct.
Susanne
says:Love this game!
Jeni Parrish
says:So cute!
Patty
says:Downloading this game for my kids. Looks like we’ll have lots of fun while learning.
Tonya
says:What a GREAT idea!
Sally DePasquale
says:Wow! So helpful in explaining an easy way to share with children. Thanks!
Joyce Merchant
says:Looks great!
Joyce Merchant
says:Looks fun!
Lisa glesil
says:A fun game!
Mary
says:Cute game!
Kayla Baker
says:I can’t wait to play this game with my kids we are still trying to figure this all out.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI hope you have lots of laughs and fun with this game, Kayla!
Serena
says:I can’t wait to play this with my daughters.
Stacie
says:Thanks!
Windy
says:This is cracking me up- I CANNOT wait to play this game with my kiddos!!! Thank you for the free resources 💚
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Windy. I think this game is going to but a lot of laughs into learning for a lot of families! 😊
Melissa
says:thank you
Barbara
says:Haha! My kids will love this game!
Sheena Vert
says:Oh my goodness I love this!!!! Thank you for sharing this. I have already printed it out and will be laminating it right away. I can see playing this at every session!!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou are so welcome, Sheena. Have lots of fun!
Shawna
says:Looks fun cant wait to try it out with the kids.
Andrea
says:Love this game idea! Can’t wait to try it out!
Sara
says:Great suggestions! I love AAR and AAS!
Kelly Rowlett
says:My 5 year old son would love this game!