Learning word families is a fast way to help children recognize a lot of new words quickly because they are groups of words that share the same sound and spelling. By learning the ending {-og} for instance, your child quickly understands how to read and write {dog, log, frog, fog}. This fun, hands-on word family game will have your kids spinning with excitement.

And if you’re in the mood for practicing all kinds of words, snag our Editable Word Work Board  Games in our shop so you can practice any words under the sun!

Spin a Word Family

Supplies

To play the game, you’ll need to gather a few things:

  • Several sheets of card stock. (The thicker, the better.)
  • A circular stencil. (I used the rim of my son’s sippy cup.)
  • A black marker.
  • Scissors.
  • A brad.
  • A printout of the Spin a Word printable (here).
  • A marker or pencil for your child.

Prep

First, draw a circle on one sheet of card stock. (It took me a couple of tries to make one that I liked.

Spin a Word Family. Fun, hands-on way to help children learn word families. {Playdough to Plato}

Next, write about ten consonant letters around the rim of the circle. I used the letters {c, b, r, t, m, p, f, s, l, n}. Cut out the circle.

Spin a Word Family. Fun, hands-on way to help children learn word families. {Playdough to Plato}

Cut several long strips from the other pieces of card stock and write one word family at the end of each. I like to use the word families {at, ip, ug, ot, ed} because they cover all of the vowel sounds and include several different consonants.

Spin a Word Family. Fun, hands-on way to help children learn word families. {Playdough to Plato}

Then attach one of the word family strips to your circle using a brad. Be careful to attach the brad to the center of your circle so that the wheel spins around evenly. As this picture shows, I didn’t get it right the first time.

Spin a Word Family

Play

Now comes the fun! Invite kids to spin a word and write it on the printable. Then, ask them to read the word out loud and decide if it is a real word or a nonsense word. If it is real, they will circle {yes} under the column {Is it Real?}. If it is not, they will circle, {no}.

Spin a Word FamilyChildren will then turn the wheel to make a new word that they will write on the sheet.

Play continues until all spots on the printable have been completed.

But wait! Once kids are able to read and write words in one word family well, simply detach the word family strip and add a new one like this:

Word Family SpinnersWith one quick switch, you’re ready for a completely new game.  Enjoy!

Find More

For more word fun, check out our Editable Word Work Board  Games!

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23 Comments

  1. I tried to buy your word family activity pack with all the games but it was not available on on the Teachers Pay Teachers website an d I couldn’t find it on your website. Do you still have it available for purchase?

    1. Hi Nicole,
      YES! It is still available for purchase. It was recently updated, so it looks a little different than it does in this post.
      You can purchase it HERE.
      Warmly,
      Ashley // Happiness Ambassador

  2. This is great! I’m excited to use this during our crazy remote learning time. I’m going to create the spinner on tag, with just blank lines (for the letters) and then laminate it. I’ll add the spinner (brad attached) and some blank colored strips of paper to send home for every kiddo. This will be fantastic and able to be used for soooo many things! THANK YOU!

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