Spelling game for any word list

Looking for a fun spelling activity to help your child avoid the summer slide? Try this gumball themed spelling game.  It works for any word list!

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Writing spelling words five times each isn’t fun for me or my kids.  And frankly, that kind of mechanical practice isn’t always effective.

That’s why I love to make printable spelling games to use at home – and share with you, of course!

This game is based on one of my earliest printables.  Spell it! is another gumball themed spelling game, but it takes two full pieces of paper to make the game. The longer I blog (and teach my own kids), the more I realize that we all need something simple.  Assembling a two-part game and laminating it may not be what we have in mind.

Plus, some of you have told me you’d appreciate black and white printables too.  So when the printable is a simple one (like this game), I’m going to start offering a black and white version when possible.

I like color.  So I use the ink. 🙂

Directions:

1. Cut cardstock into small rectangles or cut index cards in half.  Write a spelling word on each one.

2. Grab a die and playing pieces.

3. To start, the other player reads you a word.  Spell it aloud.  If you’re correct, roll the die and move ahead. If you’re wrong, you stay where you are.

4. The first to the gumball machine, wins!

What words should you use?

Obviously if you’re using this during the school year, use the weekly spelling list.

When I’m creating lists from scratch, my very favorite resource is Words Their Way. I use the fourth edition, but each edition gets better, so you might want to spring for the new one if you’re designing spelling lists for your kids or students on a regular basis.   I use the appendix for creating word sorts and games for my kids.  Such a wonderful book!  When I used it for a grad school class, it completely changed how I teach spelling.

Get your free gumball spelling games!

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OUR VERY FAVORITE PRINTABLE SPELLING GAMES

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If you’re looking for printable games that you can use with any word list, we highly recommend this collection from This Reading Mama. Many of the games are editable! Purchase below using my affiliate link.

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Free Spelling Games

Get this fun variety of sample spelling games from the membership site! The download includes resources for spelling CVCE words, long vowel teams, and multi-syllable words.