Creating a kid-friendly grocery shopping list is a win-win activity all around. This game gives young children the chance to learn new words and help with the grocery shopping. For children ages 3 to 4 years old, create a list with four to five basic staples, such as milk, bread or apples. Print the words in a list on a piece of paper and place colored pictures of the items next to the words on the list. With older children, omit the picture and ask them to write the item name on a blank line next to the item once they've located it in the store.
The game of bingo has been around for centuries and is a common household game. This versatile game is a favorite among all ages and is easily modified into a children's word activity. Choose an assortment of 15 words suitable for the age group of the children playing. For example, children ages 5 to 6 are learning introductory sight words, such as "see," "like," and "here." First, make a playing board with three columns and three rows, making nine squares total. In each of the squares write one of the 15 words you've chosen. Next, print out your words on pre-cut square pieces of paper and then put them into a pile with the words facing down. After you've distributed the playing boards to the children, take a card from the pile and read the word aloud, emphasizing the sounds each letter makes. Have the children use buttons or coins for game markers. The first one to completely cover the board wins.
Refrigerator magnets are another method to create word activities for kids. Like so many other word activities, this one is also adaptable to children of all ages. With help from a parent or older sibling, children who are just beginning to recognize letters and sounds can soon begin forming words with individual letter magnets. For older children, display magnets with written words and ask them to form sentences, emphasizing nouns, verbs and adjectives. You can make these magnets with card stock and magnet tape, or purchase them at a store.