Spelling Word Games

cartoon relay runner, ready to pass a red baton

Spelling word games are a great way to review important spelling words and letter patterns. Each of these games can be played with your entire class and require no paper and pencil. The games are played in teams for maximum FUN!

Use the printable version of both games, or see the full text of both games below.

Spelling Relay

Directions:

Divide your class into two teams. Each team forms a single line. The teacher calls out a spelling word. The first player from each team comes to the board and writes the first letter of the word. He races back to the line and hands the chalk/marker to the next player.

The next player adds the second letter, the third player adds the third letter, and so on. The first team to finish the word correctly earns one point.

Note: If a player makes a mistake, instead of adding a new letter, the next teammate may correct the mistake. Players will soon see that this slows down the completion of the word, so they'll want to try hard to get the right letters the first time.

Buzz-Buzz Spelling Word Game

Try some new twists on the old-fashioned spelling bee!

Directions:

Divide the class into two teams. Call out the first word to Team 1. The first player orally gives the first letter, the second player states the second letter, etc. When the last letter has been given, the next player says, “Buzz-Buzz, we're right,” or “Oh no, we're wrong!”

If the word was spelled correctly, and the final player correctly stated it was correct, then whoever started that word sits down.
If the last player gave the wrong assessment of the team's spelling, then he sits down.
If the word was spelled incorrectly, the person who gave the wrong letter sits down.

Play until there are only two players left on each team. Then have everyone rejoin their teams and play again, as time allows.

More Spelling Games

Cover Up: Decide if words are spelled correctly or incorrectly. This free spelling game is for three players and uses printable game boards. PDF included. For grades 4-6.

Spelling Quiz Crossword - Kids must select the correctly spelled word in each pair and write it into the printable crossword puzzle. It's another fun educational game for kids!

Saxophone Spelling - Partners compete to see who can complete the diagram first, and who can spell the most words using the letters in SAXOPHONE. Musical history lesson and extension activity included!

Pick A Path Reading Game: This fun game helps build reading recognition and meaning skills. Can be adapted for grades 1-6.

Let's Make a Sandwich! Here's a simple list of mixed up sandwich ingredients. Solving it might just make you hungry!

Kids Crossword Puzzles: More kid-friendly topics, also at different levels. Something fun for everyone!

Also, be sure to visit my other site, Spelling Words Well for a HUGE assortment of spelling word games, spelling worksheets, spelling bee resources, homework ideas and much, much more!