Sight words are such an important part of learning to read but they can be challenging to teach. These sight word learning games will give your students tons of practice with these important words while they also have tons of fun. It’s a win-win!
I find that when my students are really engaged with content, they remember it so much better. We don’t just rely on our daily whole-group practice to learn sight words, though. I like to give them many other ways to practice.
They watch sight word videos, play online games, practice with different hands-on activities and play these sight word learning games, too!
These games are simple enough that students can play them on their own in learning centers once they have learned how. I have found that they are motivated to learn the sight words so they can play the games more easily!
The guided reading table is the perfect place to introduce these new games so they can play with me before doing it independently. (I can also make sure they really understand the rules and fair play this way, too.)
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7 Student-Approved Sight Word Learning Games
Sight Word Bingo
I had to start the list with the most classic sight word learning game around. We love to play Sight Word Bingo whole group at the beginning of the year. It can also be played alone so this game is perfect for many situations!
I’ll add it to a center later in the year and my students feel so cool. 😎They love to play the “teacher” and call out the words for each other. They simply put the words in a stack as a draw pile and take turns pulling from them.
Sight Word Pop
In this cute popcorn-themed game, students take turns reading sight words. There is no limit on number of players, but I stick with 2-4.
On their turn, players flick a spinner and choose that many popcorn pieces from the box. Then they have to read their popcorn words. If they draw a piece that says “POP,” they have to put all of their words back. Whoever has the most words at the end of the game, wins!
We practice this one at my guided reading table for quite a while with very theatrical groans when we draw a “POP” piece. It teaches them that it’s not a big deal if they have to put them back because everyone does (plus you get to make a silly groaning noise!).
Sight Word Pizza
In this game, players get to build their own pizzas! There are enough pieces for 1-4 players so it’s perfect for starting at my guided reading table.
Players spin the spinner and add or remove pieces. If they are adding a pizza topping, they have to read the word on it before they can put it on their pizza. The player who completes their pizza first, wins!
We have a lot of fun with this sight word learning game. There are lots of opportunities for repetition and, of course, everyone loves pizza!
Sight Word Splat
Sight Word Splat is a super simple card game that is always a winner in my classroom. It’s made for 2-6 players. The cards are sorted by color so you can work on one set of words at a time.
This game is basically a combination of Bingo and a matching game. It’s perfect for reinforcing sight word reading. You can also play memory and go fish with these decks!
Sight Word Space Station
This game is basically “Memory,” but with a super fun and engaging theme. My students love flipping over the aliens and spaceships to find matches and reveal the space station.
There are two levels of play so you can get extra use out of it. Sight Word Space Station is for 2-4 players so it’s perfect for my guided reading table and putting in a learning center.
Digging Up Sight Words
In Digging Up Sight Words, students are reading sentences with missing words. They have to choose the correct sight word to complete the sentence. It is for 2-4 players.
If the group agrees that it is the right one, they collect bones and move along the path. The winner is the player who has the most bones at the end.
This is a much more advanced sight word learning game so we play it a lot in my guided reading group before it goes into a learning center. My students literally beg me to play this game so I can safely assume that it is kid-approved. 😉
Word Racer
Word Racer is similar to Digging Up Sight Words in that there are sentences that are missing sight words. It also adds in color words and picture nouns!
In this game, students are racing toward the finish line by drawing cards, reading sentences and choosing the correct words. My students also love this game and get super excited when I pull it out at guided reading or put it in a center.
How do you like to practice sight words in your classroom? Let me know below! ?
You may also be interested in my favorite hands-on sight word activities. Most of these can be done with just a simple set of flashcards that you can download for free.
