Try Spelling This!
Create a homemade spelling game by making letter cards and timed challenges with friends or family to practice new words and improve accuracy.
About this tutorial
Create a homemade spelling game by making letter cards and timed challenges with friends or family to practice new words and improve accuracy.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all your materials in one spot so you are ready to make your game.
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Step 2
Cut the paper into card-sized pieces about the size of your palm.
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Step 3
Write one letter on each card to make A to Z and a few extra vowels.
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Step 4
Decorate the letter cards with colours and doodles to make them fun.
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Step 5
Put all the finished letter cards into the small box or bag.
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Step 6
Shake the box or bag to mix the letters well.
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Step 7
Make a list of 10 words you want to practice and write them down.
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Step 8
Pick the first player who will start the spelling challenge.
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Step 9
Show the first word from your list to the player who will spell it.
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Step 10
Start the timer for the round.
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Step 11
The speller pulls letter cards from the box or bag.
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Step 12
The speller arranges the pulled cards to spell the word before the timer stops.
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Step 13
Read the arranged letters out loud to check the spelling.
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Step 14
Give a point if the arranged letters match the target word.
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Step 15
Share your finished spelling game on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I set up and play the Try Spelling This! homemade spelling game?
To set up Try Spelling This!, cut index cards or paper into letter cards and make a stack of target words (age-appropriate). Players take turns drawing a word and racing to spell it aloud or arrange letter cards within a set time using a phone timer. Award points for correct spelling and speed; give hints for tougher words. Rotate roles (drawer, timer, judge) and adapt rules for teams, relay races, or silent spelling.
What materials do I need to make the Try Spelling This! game?
You'll need index cards or sturdy paper to make letter cards and a set of word cards, markers or pens, scissors, and a timer (smartphone or kitchen timer). Optional: a box or jar to draw words from, stickers or counters for scorekeeping, a dry-erase board for group play, and small rewards. Reuse materials by laminating cards or using sticky notes for easy updates and storage.
What ages is Try Spelling This! suitable for?
Try Spelling This! suits kids roughly ages 4–12, with adaptations. Preschoolers (4–5) can spell simple three-letter words with adult help and picture cues. Elementary kids (6–10) work on grade-level vocabulary and timed rounds. Tweens (11–12+) enjoy challenging lists, speed rounds, or turning it into a tournament. Adjust word difficulty, time limits, and cooperative or competitive options to match each child's skill and attention span.
What are the learning benefits of playing Try Spelling This!?
Playing Try Spelling This! boosts vocabulary, phonics awareness, and spelling accuracy by repeated practice in a fun, low-pressure format. Timed challenges build focus and quick retrieval; team play promotes communication and cooperative learning. Making letter cards strengthens fine motor skills and categorizing words improves memory. Regular short sessions also increase confidence, reduce test anxiety, and let parents target specific trouble words for focused practice.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have a small box or palm-sized paper for the letter cards?
Use a shoebox, empty jar, envelope, or cloth pouch to hold the cards and cut cardboard from cereal boxes or old mail into palm-sized pieces to make your A to Z and extra vowels.
What should I do if players keep pulling the wrong letters or there aren't enough vowels when spelling?
If players pull wrong letters or vowels are missing, add extra vowel cards, mark duplicate letters with small dots, write letters larger and darker on the paper cards, and mix them well in the small box or bag before starting the timer.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For preschoolers use fewer letters, picture cues on cards, and skip the timer while for older kids use your list of 10 longer words, shorten the timer, and award extra points for speed when they arrange the pulled cards.
How can we improve or personalize the game after making the basic set?
Decorate cards with themes that match your word list, laminate them for durability, keep a scoreboard for points across rounds, and film or photograph your finished spelling game to share on DIY.org.