5 Fun Word Play Ideas for Kids

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Make your own word search, start a poem collection, memorize a classic poem and more. Here are 5 fun word play activities you can do at home with children ages four and up.

Word Play

1. Word Collection

Make a word collection notebook, jar, or box. I like the notebook because kids (and I) can alphabetize our words – one letter per page.  Start by reading poetry books and look for enticing, enchanting and engaging words. Copy into your word notebook.  Go through old magazines and find wondrous words to cut and paste into the notebook, too.

2.  Word Mobile

Display your favorite words that describe YOU on your word mobile. Write or paste on index cards, tie with a string to your mobile.

Directions for a simple hanger mobile:

Use a wire hanger and attach strings to the bottom of the hanger like this butterfly mobile.

Directions for paper plate mobile.

Cut a spiral into a paper plate. Hole punch five holes where you will attach the strings with the words like this example of a bug mobile.

3.  Read The Boy Who Loved Words by Roni Schotter

4.  Make your own word search puzzle.

Begin with a list of 5 – 10 words. Write the words frontwards, up or down on a piece of paper. Add in letters around it. Trade with a friend to solve.

5. Learn a classic poem by heart.

Recite the poem often and feel the lyrical language rolling off your tongue. I’m partial to Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Swing.

Word PlayThe Swing

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside–

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown–
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

Read: FUN Word Games for Kids

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4 Comments

  1. Suzanne,

    Thanks for reading and commenting!!

    I forgot about Wordle, thanks for linking it! It’s so fun. I remember that printing was a bit tricky. I think I had to save as a .pdf or something and then reopen and print.

    Hallie,

    Isn’t that poem so enchanting, no matter what age we are? (I won’t tell.)

    Thanks,

    Melissa

  2. Have you ever tried http://www.wordle.net that would be a really fun way of putting your new words into artistic and colorful bubbles…and it is FREE! I love it!!
    Thanks for the great ideas!!
    I really enjoy your blog!!