23 Decoding Activities for Early Elementary Children
Reviewed by Dr. Stanley Diih
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Decoding is one of the quintessential parts of learning to read. It describes the action of sounding out the letters of a word to read the whole. When a child says, “buh-ah-tuh … bat,” that’s decoding.
As kids continue learning to read, they expand basic letter-sound correspondence with more advanced phonics, learning to pronounce letter blends, vowel combinations, and use rules like “silent-e.” They also tackle high frequency words (also known as sight words), putting all these skills together as they build up their reading fluency.
Prerequisites for Learning Decoding
Before children are ready to start decoding words, they must master a few key skills first. It’s vital that they feel very comfortable recognizing the letters of the alphabet and are able to identify their corresponding sound or sounds. If they’re still struggling with those skills, spend more time polishing them before you begin work on decoding activities.
Hands-On Decoding Activities and Games
These hands-on activities and games can make practicing decoding skills even more fun. Read through the list with your child and decide which games you’d like to try.
Reading Wand
Make a special “wand” to use as a pointer while reading. This keeps children’s attention focused on one word or syllable at a time.
Switch It!
Write out the first and last letter of CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) or CVCe (silent-e) words, leaving a space in the middle. Take turns adding a vowel letter magnet or bead to the middle to see how many words you can create. You can do this by switching out the first or last consonants, too.
Word Walk
Write out the letters of a word with chalk on the sidewalk, spacing them just a bit apart. Step onto the first letter and say its sound, then walk along saying the sounds of each letter or letter blend. Go back to the beginning and walk a little faster this time, blending the sounds together. Finally, run across the letters and say the whole word all at once!
Race Across
Write out a word on paper and grab a toy car. Then, use the same process as the one for Word Walk, but drive the car from one letter to the next instead.
Bead Slide Bracelets
Practice chunking words into individual letter sounds (and later, syllables) with bead bracelets strung on pipe cleaners. As kids pronounce each chunk or syllable, they physically slide a bead further along the bracelet to help them make the body-brain connection.
Word Ladders
Start by writing a single word at the top of a piece of paper and challenge the next player to make a new word by changing any one single letter. Write the new word underneath, then hand the paper to the next player. Repeat as long as you like, with the only rule being you can’t repeat a word that’s already been used.
Letter Scramble
Pull a handful of letter magnets or beads from a bag, then see if you can make a word with what you’ve got. Bonus if you can use every letter you pulled in the word!
Word Journal
Give your child a notebook to carry with them called My Word Book. When you’re out and about, encourage them to look for words they can decode and read on their own. Each time they find a new one, they can write it down in their book, proudly recording their individual reading journey.
Decodable Books
Look for books designed specifically to allow kids of specific reading levels to enjoy. Read them together with your child, celebrating their achievements.
Online Decoding Activities and Games
ABCmouse has hundreds of educational games designed to help grow math and literacy skills and more. Preview a few of the games that are focused on building decoding skills through interactive, digital play. You can check out more of our digital games here. Note: Many of these online games require an ABCmouse subscription to play.
Puffer Fish Party
Listen carefully to the letter sounds of the spoken word, then find the turtle whose shell has the right word printed on it.
Lake Cleanup
Clean up a polluted lake by selecting the items that match the spoken word. Children practice letter-sound correspondence and environmental responsibility!
First Letter in Line
Get some practice with word families by changing the first letter in each word to match the picture. This is an excellent early decoding activity for young learners.
Austin and Scout: Doors of Mystery
Complete simple three-letter words using picture clues to help adventurers Austin and Scout unlock the Doors of Mystery!
Tyler’s Vacation
Practice silent-e words by helping Tyler write a letter to his friend Monica telling her all about his vacation adventures.
Austin and Scout: Search for the Crystal Cat
Austin and Scout need your help again, this time by making words that start with two-letter consonant blends.
Word Bot’s Sound Sculptures
Assemble the letters and letter blends on the seashells to make the words represented by the sand sculptures. When you’re done, the waves wash it all away and give you a new challenge.
Blends With Friends
Compete in Happy Harrison’s latest game show and earn points by correctly identifying letter blends using picture clues.
Word Chop Challenge
Chef Buggyhana needs your help chopping words into syllables! Drag the knife across the word and chop it in two, then choose which speaker icon is saying the word you just chopped.
Secret Agent Word Trap
Rescue your fellow secret agent from the notorious General Claw by adding or removing prefixes and suffixes from root words.
Decoding Activities Worksheets and Printables
Print out the decoding worksheets that are best suited for your child. They’re great for learning on the go or squeezing in an activity while waiting at restaurants or appointments.
Kindergarten Reading Worksheets
Find printable worksheets for early decoding activities like word families, missing letter activities, and beginning sight words in this free set.
First Grade Reading Worksheets
Advance your child’s decoding skills with worksheets on vowel sounds, digraphs, consonant blends, and more.
Second Grade Reading Worksheets
Continue practicing decoding with these more advanced worksheets for young readers.
Learn Decoding with ABCmouse’s Reading Program
With thousands of activities to explore, the ABCmouse reading program teaches young children key literacy skills like decoding. The personalized learning path allows kids to progress at their own page, keeping them engaged and motivated. Explore the ABCmouse Reading Program and sign up today!
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