Here’s a great free spelling game that you can use with any word list – and it’s designed just for Fall! My first grader loved playing this one with me. I’m sure we’ll be pulling this out again, even when the winter snow covers our pumpkins!
Free fall spelling game
I pulled out my fun fall and pumpkin clip art from goodness&fun to create this simple board game with playing cards. Here’s the playing board:
You’ll want to print the board on two separate sheets of paper and attach together. I mounted each piece on construction paper, laminated each one on my awesome (and affordable!) home laminator, and put them together with clear packing tape.
You’ll also download ten playing cards. See the above sample.
How to play:
- Write each of your spelling words on a slip of paper. Put them in a cup. Place the pumpkin cards face down on the giant pumpkin.
- On your turn, another player reads you a spelling word. Spell it out loud or write it down. If you’re correct, roll a die and move forward.
- If you move forward and land on a pumpkin, pull out a pumpkin card and try the challenge. If you’re right, you get to move ahead the number listed on the card.
- The first to reach Finish, wins!
We like to use colorful glass gems as playing pieces. 
My first grader loved landing on the pumpkins! The ten pumpkin challenge cards are designed for kids in first, second, or third grade. Here’s what you’ll find on them:
- Spell the next word and name a word that rhymes with it.
- Write the next word and circle all the consonants.
- Write the next word and circle all the vowels.
- Use the next word in a sentence.
- Spell the next word and name another word that has the same spelling pattern.
- Spell the next word aloud as you write it in the air.
- Use letter tiles or alphabet stamps to spell the next word.
- Spell the next word and draw a picture of it.
- Spell the next word and tell how many syllables it has.
- Write the next word as small as you can and as large as you can.
I love this game, and I hope you do too!
More great resources
-
- Word Study Part 5
And if you’re looking for printable games that you can use with any word list, we highly recommend this ebook. Many of the games are editable!
© 2013 – 2016, Anna G. All rights reserved.
Keitha says
September 24, 2013 at 7:13 amThanks so much for sharing this cute spelling game. I pinned it so I can print it out later.
Anna Geiger says
September 29, 2013 at 3:19 pmThank you so much for the pin, Keitha!
Sarah @ How Wee Learn says
September 24, 2013 at 9:16 amSuch a great game – and I love how adaptable it is for any ability level – just make different cards!
Anna Geiger says
September 29, 2013 at 3:19 pmI hope you get a chance to use it, Sarah!
Natalie says
September 24, 2013 at 3:31 pmI am so loving this idea – brilliant. I am pretty sure it will go into my list of posts to profile for the next Afterschool blog hop…
Anna Geiger says
September 29, 2013 at 3:17 pmThank you, Natalie! I’ll be sure to link it up tomorrow 🙂
Jacquie@KCEdventures says
September 26, 2013 at 1:58 pmSuper idea! I’m so using this with my ‘spelling is not fun’ kid 😉
Anna Geiger says
September 29, 2013 at 2:37 pmThank you, Jacquie – and for the Facebook comment 🙂
Tara from The Magnolia Barn says
September 27, 2013 at 1:18 pmThis will be perfect to help practice sight word spelling..thanks!
Anna Geiger says
September 29, 2013 at 2:38 pmThanks, Tara! I’ll have to pull this out when my five year old is ready to spell his sight words. Maybe now!
Kirstylee says
September 27, 2013 at 2:10 pmWow! This looks like so much fun. My Kindergartener doesn’t have spelling words yet, but this game would be perfect to help him practice his sight words. Thanks!
Anna Geiger says
September 29, 2013 at 2:37 pmGreat idea to use it with sight words, Kirstylee. I’ll remember that!
Christine M. (Cool Mom) - Tech Support for Stanley & Katrina says
September 30, 2013 at 2:36 pmAnna,
You are so very talented. This is fantastic. Going to pin it to Stanley & Katrina’s account now. Thanks for sharing!
~Christine 🙂
Anna Geiger says
October 4, 2013 at 8:01 pmYou’re very kind, Christine 🙂 Thanks for the pin!
Monica says
October 2, 2013 at 9:42 pmThese are great Anna! Featuring this at Family Fun Friday!
Monica
http://www.happyandblessedhome.com/category/family-fun/
Anna Geiger says
October 4, 2013 at 8:02 pmThanks so much for the feature!
Jill says
October 3, 2013 at 9:08 amThis is a great fall themed spelling game. It is cute , educational and very fun. Thank you for sharing and for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop 🙂
Anna Geiger says
October 4, 2013 at 8:02 pmThanks for hosting, Jill!
Allison says
October 4, 2013 at 10:35 pmLove this game! I definitely want to use it with my oldest. Thanks for linking up to The Sunday Showcase. I’ll be featuring this post this weekend.
Anna Geiger says
October 5, 2013 at 5:08 amThanks so much for the feature, Allison!
stephanie says
October 6, 2013 at 7:17 pmLove this and am featuring it this week on the AFter School Linky.
Anna Geiger says
October 12, 2013 at 8:34 amThanks so much for featuring it, Stephanie!
gaby says
May 17, 2017 at 9:39 pmthank you so much!:..:)
Anna Geiger says
May 28, 2017 at 3:41 pmYou’re welcome, Gaby!