If you’ve ever had to Google “how can I write my essay,” you’d agree that learning the essential aspects of language (writing and reading) can be exhausting. For children, it can be a long, boring journey that they don’t want to be a part of. It’s not even any less exhausting for parents and teachers.

Ever had to teach screaming kids how to pronounce four-letter words when all they want to do is watch Frozen for the 100th time?

Just in case you haven’t, this is not a scene you ever want to experience. With more and more families trying remote learning, it’s very likely that you may have to teach your hyperactive five-year old how to read.

But don’t panic yet. You can play interactive reading games to make the learning process fun for both you and your children. Not only will your kids get to play and have fun, they’d stimulate their minds as well. This way, you’d get to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Fun Reading Games You Can Make in No Time

Are you ready to introduce game-based learning to your kids? Here are some fun 1st grade reading games you could start with:

First Words Flip Book

This is an exciting game that will help your child mix the sounds of letters. To make your flip book, you only need a few tools:

• Colored cards or 3 plastic file folders
• Single hole punch
• Permanent markers
• Three 24mm split rings
• Cardstock

Cut your file folders or colored cards into small rectangles. Next, cut a sizable piece of cardstock to form a book base. In case you can’t find any cardstock, use leftover plastic from the file folders instead.

Using the single hole punch, create holes at the top of each rectangle. You’d also need to create 3 holes in the book base. Once you have done this, use the permanent marker to write letters on the rectangles. It is advisable to divide the cards into three sets; the first and last sets would contain consonants while the second set will contain vowels.

Next, thread the cards onto the split rings. Voila! Your child now has a flip book for learning and reading three-letter words.

Word Family Snowball Toss

Teaching your child word families can be really beneficial to his/her reading process. It helps children to see patterns in reading and of course, learn how to read by grouping pairs or sets of letters.

Basically, word families are words that rhyme. For instance, “bat,” “cat,” and “mat” all belong to the same word family.

Here’s what you need to create this fun family game:

• Ping-Pong balls (as many as you can get)
• Permanent marker
• 4 small containers
• Dry erase marker

Using the permanent marker, write different words belonging to word families on each of the balls.

Next, use the dry erase marker to write the rimes of each of the word families on the containers. A rime is the last part of the word. For instance, words like “bat”, “cat” and “mat” all have the rime “-at.”

Get your child to choose one ping pong ball and then read the word on it by pronouncing each sound. After they have done this, have them toss the ball into the corresponding container.

Word Towers with Stacking Cups

This game is quite easy to make and can teach your child the principles of word formation. Here’s what you need to make your very own word tower:

• Stacking cups
• Permanent markers

You can use the cups to spell CVC words such as “ran”, “can,” “ban,” “tan,” and so on. To help your child remember the word families, use the same color for the rimes of each family.

Your child can stack the cups on top and create a word tower as they build more words.

Why You Should Introduce Reading Games to Your Child

Not sure your child needs reading games? Trust us, they need them as much as a kitten needs its whiskers. Here’s why games should be a part of any learning activity for kids:

They speed up the learning process

According to studies, children are likely to learn faster when a game is introduced into the learning activity. It’s easier for a child to remember words when a reading game is introduced. Notice how they remember the lyrics to “Let It Go?”

It just goes to show that kids can learn anything fast. You just have to make it fun for them and before you know it, you’d have a pro essay writer on your hands.

Make children eager to learn

For a lot of children, reading is boring and should be done only at school. On the other hand, they absolutely love playing games. As such, it only makes sense to use something they love to teach them. This way, they will look forward to the learning process.

The Bottom Line

Teaching a child how to read is no easy feat. However, you can ease the journey by introducing any of these fun reading games to your kids. Now, your children can play while developing their language abilities at the same time.

Bio: James Baxter is professional writer and blogger, who loves sharing his experience and knowledge with readers. He is especially interested in marketing, teaching and IT. James is always happy to visit different places and meet new people there.