Sight Word Safari

Memorizing sight words doesn't have to be boring. If you have a fun selection of sight word games, your kids will relish the time spent playing them with you.

The game I’m sharing today is perfect for kids who like dramatic play. I have used the little plastic animals that my 5 year old twins enjoy, but you could use small stuffed animals or dolls instead.

Materials Needed

5 sight word flashcards

5 plastic toy animals

How to Play

IDENTIFYING WORDS

After introducing new sight words, have your child practice finding them in a group of words they already know. Avoid introducing easily confused words at the same time.

1. Recite each sight word as you lay it out in front of you and your child, about an arm’s reach away. The words should be facing you.

2. Line 5 toy animals in front of you, and have your child choose one.

3. Tell their chosen animal to go stand on a particular word. For example:

“Mr. Lion, will you please go stand on the word what.”

4. Your child should make the animal walk over to the correct word card and place the animal on top of it. Give hints as needed.

5. Reinforce by saying something like, “Okay, the lion is on what.”

6. Repeat for all the flashcards and animals.

READING WORDS

Once your child has practiced identifying all the words you call out, move on to a game of having them read out each sight word to you.

First spread the cards out widely in front of you, with animals atop each. Then, act out something like the following:

Parent: “Let’s go on a safari and look for animals and their words.”

Parent: “Look, there’s a lion. What word is he standing on?"

Child: “He’s standing on what.”

Parent: “Let’s take a picture of him standing on what.” 

Pretend to snap a photo.

Variation: If your child craves movement, spread the animals and their words more widely around the room. Then, have your child fetch each animal and read its word. 

EXTENDING THE GAME

You extend the game by allowing your child to play with the materials further. Let that little imagination lead the way!