Word Detective Game

What You Need:

• 52 index cards
• Word Detectives activity sheets: page 1 and page 2
• Crayons
• Markers
• Shoebox
• Construction paper
• Tape

What You Do:

1. Ask your child to draw pictures on index cards for each letter of the alphabet, following the word list below. This will include beginning, middle, and ending sounds. While middle and ending sounds can be difficult for new readers to hear at first, this game is a fun, and low-pressure way to practice.

• apple
• banana
• cat
• dog
• egg
• fire
• goose
• queen
• van
• yellow
• zipper

• grapes
• feet
• bug
• hit
• rope

• clap
• stick
• hill
• ham
• pan
• jar
• grass
• hat
• wig
• box

2. While your child is drawing the picture cards, take the other 26 cards and write “clues” on them, such as "Which letter comes at the beginning of a yellow fruit?" If you like, write the answers on the back of each card.
3. Once all 52 cards are finished (the picture cards and the clue cards), put the clue cards in a single pile. Ask your child to mix up the picture cards and lay them in rows on the table.
4. Pick the first clue card from the pile. As you read it, have your child find the matching picture card. For example, if the first clue is “Which letter comes at the beginning of a red fruit?” The answer is the letter A, for apple.
5. Each time they get a correct match, have your child put the set aside, until all of the clues have been solved. If they get stuck, be sure to remind them that some letters make more than one sound when spoken (for example, c and k, or short and long vowels).
6. When play is over, put everything in your handy dandy shoebox, and put it on the game shelf for next time. If your child's feeling crafty, they can decorate the box and give the game a fancy title. If not, a plain old shoe box works just fine.

Happy gaming!

You can extend this activity by having your child make their own clues and matching picture cards. Or involve an older sibling and have them read and write clues. This is a great way for your child to practice letters and sounds. Plus, it's just plain fun!