Learning phonics may seem daunting, but it can be lots of fun! There are lots of phonics games that can make learning them an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Below are some ideas for phonics games you can use in the classroom or at home, perfect for children in Reception covering phase 2 and 3 phonics.
Phase 2 and 3 phonics sound print-outs
We’ve created two handy lists of sounds and example words that you can use in the following games for children learning Phase 2 or Phase 3 phonics.
Not sure which phase your child is in? Take a look at our phonics phase guide!
Download phonics phase 2 sounds | Download phonics phase 3 sounds
Phase 2 phonics games
1. ‘I spy’ with sounds
Rather than using letter names, children spy words beginning with a certain sound. For example, you could say, “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with sss”, which could refer to a snail or a seagull!
2. Phonics snap
Use our phonics phase 2 sound printouts for a list of sounds you could use to make sound flashcards for you and your child.
This game is great for lots of talk about letters and the sounds they make. To encourage the discussion prompted by your flashcards, you could ask:
- “What letter do we both have?”
- “What sound does it make?”
This game is also perfect for children learning Phase 3 phonics.
3. Brilliant bingo
Write down six sounds in a bingo-style grid (our phonics sound printouts would be helpful here). Then, say a sound to your child and ask them to point to it.
If they get it right, they can cross it out! Keep going until all of the sounds are crossed out.
This game is also suitable for children covering Phase 3 phonics.
Phase 3 phonics games
4. Magnetic letters
Say a word and ask your child to use magnetic letters to make the word. To extend this further, they could also write out their word using paint or chalk.
Use our phonics phase 3 printouts for words you could use in this game.
5. Read and draw
Write out a word and ask your child to read it out loud. Then, you both have to draw a picture of that word. Whose drawing is better? This might get you both giggling!
We hope you enjoy these phonics games! And armed with our glossary of key terms and the order in which children learn them, you can help your child to learn their phonics in no time.
Bring phonics to life with Doodle
Looking for more fun ways to learn phonics? Our award-winning Reception apps will boost the confidence of your child by creating them a personalised work programme tailored to their needs.
Designed to be used for 10 minutes a day, they’re filled with interactive exercises and phonics games covering all of the phonics phases, transforming learning into an exciting adventure!
