Teachers are always on the hunt for great sight word activities. Sight words are any words readers recognize automatically “by sight”—for fluent readers, that’s almost all words! High-frequency words, the most commonly occurring words in written English, like those on the Dolch list, are often thought of as the most crucial sight words.
It’s a myth that blindly memorizing every letter in a sight word is the only way to learn it. The science of reading tells us that linking sounds and letters is the most effective way for kids’ brains to learn any word. Many common words are easy to tackle using beginning phonics skills (like “at,” “can,” “him,” etc.), so staying true to a strong phonics curriculum is one way to support kids’ sight word learning. Even irregularly spelled words have decodable parts, e.g., kids can use the sounds of “s” and “d” to help with “said,” even if the “ai” is unexpected. Experts often call these words “heart words” to call out for kids that they should learn the unexpected word parts “by heart.” (If all this is unfamiliar to you, it can feel overwhelming, but you’ve got this! Check out teaching guru Jillian Starr’s explanation for more help.)
Read: What Are Sight Words?
Check out these low-prep and engaging sight word activities for both teaching and practicing words.
These activities are great when you are introducing new words or when students need a reminder of the letters and patterns that make up each word.
1. Map it and drive it
@droppinknowledgewithheidi/LEGO sight word activity via Instagram
This is a genius way to introduce words with appealing materials: Say the word, represent each sound with a LEGO brick, write letters for each sound, and “drive” to read it.
Learn more: @droppinknowledgewithheidi
2. Smush play dough for each sound
@playdough2plato/Sound mapping activity via Instagram
Set up a routine that works for any word. Play dough squishing for each sound is the ultimate multi-sensory component.
Learn more: @playdough2plato
3. Map words with a magnet wand
@warriorsforliteracy/Heart word activity via Instagram
It is so super-satisfying to drag those magnetic dots around! Watch the video below for lots of tips on introducing a word using this process.
Learn more: @warriorsforliteracy
4. Make a mini book
@hughesheartforfirst/Sight word activity via Instagram
Create a mini-book they can take home with them to read on their own.
Learn more: @hughesheartforfirst
5. Tap it, pop it, learn it!
@hellojenjones/Pop-It sight word activity via Instagram
Hardwire those words in kids’ brains with this comprehensive word intro routine. (You had us with the Pop-Its!)
Source: @hellojenjones
Once students have learned a word, it’s all about practice, practice, practice! These activities will help students learn words by “heart.”
6. Find and swat words
@kids_play_laugh_learn/Sight word activity via Instagram
An oldie but such a goodie. Find a word in an array and whack! Swat it with a fly swatter!
Learn more: @kids_play_learn_laugh
7. Flip word pancakes
Playdough to Plato/Sight word pancakes via playdoughtoplato.com
Serve up sight word pancakes while practicing spelling them aloud.
Learn more: Playdough to Plato
8. Wear heart word bracelets
@teachingmore/Sight word bracelets via Instagram
Make kids feel like sight word VIPs and keep sight word review on hand.
Learn more: @teachingmoore
9. Search for sight word balls
@preschoolforyou/Sight word ball activity via Instagram
Write sight words on ball pit balls with a chalk marker or dry-erase marker. Kids can race around hunting for balls to read and toss in a basket, or hunt through a big tub of balls for a certain word.
Learn more: @preschoolforyou
10. Start a sight word band
@earlyyears_withmrsg/Sight word band via Instagram
Loud but oh-so fun! Feel the rhythm while tapping and reading sight words stuck to homemade percussion instruments.
Learn more: @earlyyears_withmrsg
11. Drive on a sight word path
@travisntyler/sight word car activity via Instagram
This is one of many fun ways to use magnetic tiles for learning! Kids love “knocking down” word tiles with a toy car as they read each one.
Learn more: @travisntyler
12. Use sticky notes to inspire sight word sentences
@kinneypodlearning/sticky note sentence activity via Instagram
Have kids stick words on items that give them ideas for sentences. “My Mom said to wear a helmet!” = so good!
Learn more: @kinneypodlearning
13. Write words on a sensory bag
@make.it.multisensory/Gel bag activity via Instagram
So easy: Fill a zip-top bag with a small amount of kid-safe paint, seal well, and have kids practice “writing” sight words with their finger or a cotton swab.
Learn more: @makeitmultisensory
14. Wear a sight word crown
@mrsjonescreationstation/Sight word hats via Instagram
Wear your word proudly and practice reading others’ words. Fun in person or virtually.
Learn more: @mrsjonescreationstation
15. Play a magnetic-tile board game
@twotolove_bairantwins/Sight word racetrack via Instagram
We love new ideas for ways to use magnetic tiles for sight word activities. Easy to set up and fun to play.
Learn more: @twotolove_bairantwins
16. Spell words to a familiar tune
@builditbre/Sight word song via Instagram
Get sight words stuck in everyone’s head, in a good way. We’d add a line for chanting the sounds in the word!
Learn more: @builditbre
17. Feed a word monster
@ecplayandlearn/Sight word monster via Instagram
Nom, nom, nom.
Learn more: @ecplayandlearn
18. Search for the pom-pom under sight word cups
@la.la.learning/Sight word cup game via Instagram
Read all the words as you try to find the cup that hides the prize.
Learn more: @la.la.learning
19. Play sight word Kaboom!
@essentiallykinder/Sight word game via Instagram
This classroom classic is perfect for sight words. If you need a refresher on the rules, Jillian Starr covers them.
Learn more: @essentiallykinder
20. Roll and write words
@mylittlepandamonium/Sight word dice roll game via Instagram
Roll, write, repeat.
Learn more: @mylittlepandamonium
21. Write words with rainbow colors
@mylittlepandamonium/Sight word rainbow writing via Instagram
Bonus points for aromatic markers.
Learn more: @mylittlepandamonium
22. Trace words with flashlights
@giggleswithgerg/Sight word flashlight writing via Instagram
Stock up on batteries because kids never get tired of this!
Learn more: @giggleswithgerg
23. Find words in plastic eggs
@blooming_tots1/Sight word hunt via Instagram
Give kids a checklist of words to find as they open each egg.
Learn more: @blooming_tots1
24. Spy words around the classroom
@readingcorneronline/I Spy sight words activity via Instagram
Just add a magnifying glass and clipboard to make kids feel like supersleuths!
Learn more: @readingcorneronline
25. Find words in the morning message
@tales_of_a_kinder_classroom/Morning meeting sight words via Instagram
Don’t forget about old standbys! This is one of our favorite ways to get kids to recognize sight words in connected text.
Learn more: @tales_of_a_kinder_classroom
26. Build words with bricks
The Printable Princess/Sight words with bricks via theprintableprincess.com
Such a great use of extra building bricks!
Learn more: The Printable Princess
27. Write words in sand
@teacherhacks_/Sand writing via Instagram
Easy-peasy to set up and keep neat if you use plastic pencil boxes.
Learn more: @teacherhacks
28. Spell words on a construction site
@planningplaytime/Construction site sight words via Instagram
Bulldozing over each word to read it is the best part!
Learn more: @planningplaytime
29. Spell words with toy cars
@lozlovesprep/Car sight word activity via Instagram
Drive on over!
Learn more: @lozlovesprep
30. Park in a sight word “parking lot”
@msbendersclassroom/Parking lot sight word activity via Instagram
This one is easy to modify based on whatever toys are available in the classroom or at home.
Learn more: @msbendersclassroom
31. “Plant” words in play dough
@planningplaytime/Sight word play dough activity via Instagram
Watch those reading skills grow!
Learn more: @planningplaytime
32. Build words in a sensory tub
@coffeeandspitup/Sight word tub activity via Instagram
Because spelling is just more fun when your hands are covered in beans!
Learn more: @coffeeandspitup
33. Write words on a magnetic drawing board
@moffattgirls/Sight word magnetic writing via Instagram
That eraser track makes for a perfect word card holder!
Learn more: @moffattgirls
34. Or write words on the window!
@kindergarten_matters/Word writing activity via Instagram
Everyone wants a turn to write on the window!
Learn more: @kindergarten_matters
35. Shhh! Discover words written in invisible ink
@teachstarter/Invisible ink words via Instagram
Write words in white crayon and reveal them with watercolors on top!
Learn more: @teachstarter
36. Dot-paint words with a cotton swab
@sightwordactivities/Sight word painting via Instagram
Calming and effective.
Learn more: @sightwordactivities
37. “Type” words on a keyboard
@lifebetweensummers/Sight word keyboarding via Instagram
Busy day at the sight word office! Use a keyboard cover or any old keyboard.
Learn more: @lifebetweensummers
38. Read words before heading through the door
@msrowe.kinder/Sight words on doors via Instagram
The line leader can double as the word pointer during transitions.
Learn more: @ms.rowekinder
39. Read the word the teacher’s wearing!
@libblyklinnerteaching/Sight word teacher activity via Instagram
Wait, is there something on my shirt?
Learn more: @theprimarypartner
40. Take a sight word cakewalk
@joyfulinkinder/Sight word walk via Instagram
Choose a winning word when the music stops!
Learn more: @joyfulinkinder
41. Play sight word hopscotch
@wheretheliteracygrows/Sight word hop scotch via Instagram
If you can’t get outdoors, tape on the floor works just as well.
Learn more: @wheretheliteracygrows
42. Play tic-tac-toe
Boy Mama Teacher Mama/Sight word tic-tac-toe via boymamateachermama.com
I’ll be team “look.”
Learn more: Boy Mama Teacher Mama
43. Go sight word bowling
@thecreativeteacher_/Sight word bowling via Instagram
No bowling pins? Use half-filled plastic water bottles instead.
Learn more: @thecreativeteacher_
44. Ready, aim, read
@laurens_lil_learners/Sight word target via Instagram
Just throw a beanbag at a word target if foam darts are a no-go.
Learn more: @laurens_lil_learners
45. Play muffin tin ball toss
@fun_with_lynda/Sight word muffin tin activity via Instagram
Toss a ball or pom-pom into the muffin tin and read the word. It’s easy to use colored muffin cups to prep different sets of words.
Learn more: @fun_with_lynda
46. DIY sentence flash cards
@teachertipsandtales/Sentence writing via Instagram
Authentic use of words in context for the win.
Learn more: @teachertipsandtales
47. Play sight word checkers
@sightwordactivities/Sight word checkers via Instagram
King me! If kids don’t have a partner available, they can “play” with a stuffed animal and get double practice.
Learn more: @sightwordactivities
48. Play sight word Guess Who?
@rebekahpoeteaching/Sight word Guess Who? game via Instagram
Set up this game once and use it forever.
Learn more: @RebekahPoeTeaching
49. Sight word jars
No Time for Flash Cards/Sight word jars via notimeforflashcards.com
Students organize a big jar of letters into words and pack them into smaller jars. Or put the letters you need for each word into a jar and students pour out the letters, then spell.
Learn more: No Time for Flash Cards
50. Sight word fishing
A Teachable Teacher/Sight word fishing via ateachableteacher.com
Put paper clips on notecards with sight words written on them, and have students go fishing.
Learn more: A Teachable Teacher
51. Sight word balloon toss
No Time for Flash Cards/Sight word toss via notimeforflashcards.com
On those hot days, take students outside and write sight words on the pavement. Fill water balloons and have kids toss them at the words they read.
Learn more: No Time for Flash Cards
52. Sight words on the menu
The Kindergarten Connection/Sight word cafe via thekindergartenconnection.com
Put sight words in the pretend-play center and have students request, and then be served, sight words.
Learn more: The Kindergarten Connection
53. Sight word dominoes
No Time for Flash Cards/Sight word dominoes via notimeforflashcards.com
Create sight word dominoes out of note cards and have students play dominoes, matching sight word with sight word.
Learn more: No Time for Flash Cards
54. Sight word caterpillar
This Reading Mama/Caterpillar sight words via thisreadingmama.com
Write letters on bottle caps and have students build sight words by adding letters to the caterpillar’s body.
Learn more: This Reading Mama
55. Sight word rubbings
The OT Toolbox/Sight word rubbings via theottoolbox.com
Create raised sight words using a glue gun. When the glue is dry, students can use the cards to color over and see sight word rubbings.
Learn more: The OT Toolbox
