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Games and Activities to Help Your Student with Reading

An actiivty sheet from All About Reading Level 1 where a child places cherries from a tree into a basket

We often talk about the importance of mastery-based, multisensory lessons, but it’s also important to make learning to read FUN—and engaging games and activities may be just the ticket to make that happen! Helping kids develop a love for reading can then lead to increased focus and more efficient learning during reading time. Reading incentives like games and activities can sometimes be just the push that a struggling learner needs to advance.

We believe that learning should be an enjoyable experience, and games are perfect for parents who want to encourage their student’s language development in a creative, entertaining, and easy way. There’s a game out there for every age and skill level, whether your student is just beginning to read or is already reading proficiently.

Keep reading to discover some of our favorites!

Reading Games to Help Your Student Learn

  1. Concentration (Memory)

    This game goes by many names, but whatever you call it, it’s a classic kid favorite. Gather a list of the words your student is currently studying and write each word on two index cards to make a pair. We recommend starting with five or six pairs.

    Once the cards are ready, lay them on the table with the words facing down. Have your student flip over two cards and read the words aloud. If the cards match, your student may remove the cards and place them in a pile off to the side. If they don’t match, flip the cards back over to their original positions.

    a boy flipping over two cards while playing Concentration

    Students can play by themselves or with other players, taking turns to see who can find the most pairs. To make the game more challenging, just add more pairs of words!

    Looking to tie in some reading or spelling practice with a fun twist? Our Something Fishy review book is packed with activities for reviewing reading and spelling! For a sneak peek into our hands-on approach, try a free version of our take on this memory activity…but with sea slugs! Download this Sea Slug Match-Up game for a great way to practice either reading or spelling.

    If you love this activity, you may want to check out our other review book, Birds of a Feather! These supplementary books offer an engaging way to reinforce any reading or spelling word list through a variety of enjoyable and straightforward activities.

  2. Bingo

    Bingo is another easy game that can be played with your student’s current study words. Start by drawing a 4×4 or 5×5 grid on a piece of paper to use as a bingo card, or create grids on the computer and print them. Gather a list of about 30 study words and have your student fill out a bingo card by writing words from the list in each of the boxes, one word per box.

    Once the card has been filled out, read words from the list in random order. When your student hears a word that is on his card, he should cross out that square. When the player has crossed out a complete row, column, or diagonal line on the bingo card, he shouts “Bingo!” This game can be played with individual or multiple players.

    Help your child review (and master!) phonograms with the help of monkeys, lions, and other exotic inhabitants with our Phonogram Jungle Bingo printable activity! Download it now, but be careful—it’s a jungle out there!

  3. Word Scavenger Hunt

    A word scavenger hunt is just like a word search—but takes place throughout your house or backyard! Start by gathering a list of words that are suitable for your student’s reading level. Write the words on index cards and place them around the room, the house, and/or the backyard. Once finished, read each word out loud and have your student find the corresponding index card. You can make the game more challenging by hiding the cards or by setting a time limit to see how many cards they can find within a certain amount of time. This game also works well with groups of students.

  4. Word Searches

    Kids love word searches, and the internet provides many free options for generating your own custom word searches with your student’s study words. To ensure your student is reading the words and not simply looking for letters that match, you can read the target words out loud rather than providing the student with a list of words to find.

  5. Silly Sentence Match-Ups

    This entertaining and imaginative game is a great way for children to learn and laugh at the same time. Made by All About Learning Press, the game is free to download and comes with different pages for students of various levels. Just cut out the cards, start drawing pairs, see if you can keep a straight face! Check out our Silly Sentence Match-Ups blog post.

    Silly Sentence Match-Ups game download
  6. Drag Race

    For kids that like cars, this review activity is the perfect way to practice reading! The free downloadable activity sheets include race cars, a starting line, and racetrack cards. Just print the sheets, cut out the pieces, and start revving your engines! With each word the students read correctly, their race cars get to move forward. Take a look at our Drag Race – A Reading and Spelling Review Activity blog post.

    download the Drag Race activity

Ways to Make Reading More Fun

  1. Create a Reading Nook

    Sometimes doing something difficult is easier when you have an area dedicated to doing that activity. When it comes to reading, kids may be more likely to enjoy reading when they have a special place to read in. If you have enough space, create a cozy reading nook in your home! A small bookcase dedicated to your student’s books and a beanbag or colorful chair is all you need to get started. You can decorate the nook further by having your student draw pictures of characters and scenes from their favorite books and hanging them on the wall.

    Check out our blog post on creating the perfect reading nook!

    child wrapped in a blanket reading a picture book next to a bookshelf
  2. Reading Olympics

    Setting specific goals for your student can make reading much more enjoyable, and a great way to do this is by holding a Reading Olympics. Determine how many books or chapters the student needs to read in order to win the bronze medal, the silver medal, and the gold medal. Then create a chart where you can track their progress. Invite other family members or friends to compete and give out prizes and medals to the winners!

Reading Games You Can Purchase

Bananagrams letter tiles and case

In addition to games you can make yourself, there are plenty of popular games that are not only great for reinforcing reading skills, but that kids love to play. Here are some we recommend.

Explore Our Free Reading Activity Downloads

Reading activity bundle preview

We have a huge assortment of free printable activities to help nurture important reading and spelling skills. Here are a few favorites!

Let Us Do the Work for You!

Including games and activities in your reading lessons doesn’t just help keep things engaging and fun…it also makes learning stick! This multisensory approach can transform your lessons—for both you and your child.

With All About Reading, we do the work for you. Our lightly scripted lessons provide hands-on games and activities throughout the program. The carefully sequenced lessons leave no gaps in learning and aid in achieving permanent learning.

If you’re ready to boost your child’s progress with open-and-go lessons full of games and activities, be sure to check out our curriculum! And if you ever need a helping hand, we’re here for you.

All About Reading Product Line

When students don’t enjoy reading, it’s often because it’s a skill they struggle with. Thankfully most kids love games, and we can use those games to help young readers overcome their challenges and develop a love of reading. Try some of these games and activities with your student and let us know in the comments which ones are your favorites!

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Chelsea

says:

We LOVE to use games for our reading and spelling. Feed the Puppy is a big hit in our house! Being able to teach in a fun way that really makes it stick is such a blessing. My 3 year old even joins in and doesn’t even realize he’s practicing for his future pre reading lessons!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Chelsea,
The Feed the Puppy game is such a great one! I love that it is adaptable for all kinds of learning. You can do colored cards for learning colors, math flashcards for learning math facts, even history questions, whatever!

Nicole Ikeda

says:

My son has been using All About Reading and Spelling for the past 3 years. He just turned 8 years old and he still LOVES the games. We are looking forward to getting the new AAS 4 color edition when it releases so we can get even more games. Thank you for making learning to read fun.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Nicole,
It’s so wonderful to hear that your son has enjoyed the All About Reading and All About Spelling games and activities so much! Thank you!

Elena Easley

says:

I love all these ideas particularly the matching game and word Searches because my son is very into those right now! Your entire curriculum makes reading fun. Thanks for the ideas!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re so welcome, Elena! It’s great to hear that All About Reading is making reading fun for your son!

Lacacia Norma Cardoza

says:

The games included in the All About Spelling have helped my kids so much with learning specific rules. I’m really excited to keep using the AAS curriculum next year, and possibly adding in the All About Reading for my soon to be Kindergartener. He will love these games just as much as our older students.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Lacacia,
Wonderful to hear that the All About Spelling games have been so helpful for your children! Thank you.

Judy Krige

says:

Thank you for such fun activities to encourage reading. My kids love them!!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Judy! We love to hear that kids enjoy our activities and games!

Tricia

says:

Thank you for a great program! We are having great success!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Tricia,
You’re welcome! Great to hear it’s working out well for you.

Emily

says:

I love all of the All About Reading free games. They are so engaging and my kids really enjoy playing while I enjoy them learning!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Emily! So great to hear that you enjoy these games and activities!

Randi Jones

says:

My kids have enjoyed the quick games to review their words.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Great to hear, Randi! Thank you.

Angela

says:

My kids have loved the games included in All About Reading. It’s really helped them to enjoy their reading lessons everyday.

Alyssa

says:

I love all these suggestions – thank you! We love to incorporate Ziggy from the pre-reading program into all of our games.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Alyssa,
Ziggy is a wonderful partner for games! Glad he is able to help!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Wonderful to hear, Angela! Thank you.

Beth

says:

These are great ideas. It definitely helps to make review fun.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Beth!

Lisa G

says:

My third grader loves some of these games. Looking forward to introducing my younger daughter next year!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Lisa,
We love to hear that the games and activities we create are well received by students! Thank you!

Emily

says:

Our family loves all the fun activities we get to do in All About Reading and All About Spelling. Whenever there is a free download like these or the ones sent on holidays, we always use them and love them!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Wonderful to hear that you enjoy the activities so much, Emily!

Janet Auma Otieno

says:

Kindly help me on how to solve this, which one is the correct way to introduce a child to read.for example the world ba +g=bag
b +a +g=bag

Robin

says: Customer Service

Janet,
Great question!

The answer is kind of both. We teach a cumulative blending procedure that takes a student from /b/-/ă/-/g/ to /bă/-/g/ to /băg/ to “bag.” You’ll find more information about it, including a video and download, on our Helping Kids Sound Out Words article.

Carrie Glover

says:

My middle son really struggles with reading but the All About Reading curriculum has really helped. Today we set up his reading cards as a race track, an idea from the appendix, which he loved. He has enjoyed most of the stories and activities in his student packet as well and his reading is definitely improving.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Carrie,
I’m glad to hear his reading is improving! Great work! Thank you.

Jaycie

says:

So fun!!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Jaycie!

Kimberly Gulley

says:

I am really loving all the free reading and spelling activities!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Kimberly!

Leara

says:

Thank you!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Leara!

Edmon

says:

Thank you this helps a lot, and my students will enjoy this especially we are having our reading class during Friday. we call it “CATH-UP Friday”

Robin

says: Customer Service

Edmon,
I did review games and activities every Friday with my students too! The review helps solidify learning before the weekend, and the games and activities keep it fun so the kids are engaged. It works well!

Maria Serros

says:

Thank you for the reading games! My students LOVE Fridays because it’s our game day (only if our weekly work is complete) and they look forward to the learning games I bring out for them!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Maria,
I often did “Friday Fun Days” with my kids too, focusing on game and activity based learning. It was a lot of fun!

Lauren

says:

I just stumbled across this post and am excited to try incorporating all these free downloads! Hoping that “gamified” learning will help my learner be less reluctant!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Lauren,
I hope this will be helpful! Children are usually much more receptive to learning when it is fun.

Tammie

says:

Love this program! Love all the added extras!! Thank you

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Tammie! Great to hear how much you enjoy the extras!

Candra Tyler

says:

Love AAR so much. Hands down the best program. My kids are thriving with this program and really love the games.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Candra! Great to hear All About Reading is working well for you and your kids!

Michelle

says:

Thank u for this great post. Lots to try out.

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Michelle! I hope you have a lot of fun with these!

Tasha

says:

We’re almost done with Level 1 and my daughter LOVES playing all the games!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Tasha! It’s great to hear that your daughter enjoys the games so much!

Kristi

says:

Excited to use AAR and AAS

Robin

says: Customer Service

Wonderful, Kristi! Thank you!

Sara

says:

You guys are always so helpful with fun ideas! I’m not naturally creative so these ideas are always a great start! Thanks!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Sara,
You’re welcome! Glad to help you with fun ideas!

Pamela

says:

These ideas are so fun and helpful! Hopefully I can implement some of them with my third grader and kindergartener.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Glad these are helpful, Pamela!

Rachel

says:

I can’t wait to try these with my first grader!

Robin

says: Customer Service

I hope your first grader has lots of fun with these, Rachel!

Cammie Barton

says:

So helpful. I need all of the fun ideas I can get!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Cammie,
Great! Glad this is helpful for you for fun ideas!