Best Spelling Games {Online, Physical, and Printable}
I earn a commission from products purchased through links in this post.
Sometimes a game is exactly what we need to help teach our kids. Playing interactive spelling games can be a fun way to build spelling skills.
Online and physical games are one of my favorite ways to practice spelling words.
I have always limited the amount of screen time my kids get every day, but that limit doesn’t include educational websites. That allure of extra screen time was enough to entice my kids to practice their spelling skills.
Games can make spelling fun.
Favorite Spelling Games for Kids
Free Online Spelling Games
When I am looking for online spelling games, I look for games that are fun. After all, the point of teaching with educational computer games is that kids enjoy the lessons.
I also want the websites that are aimed at kids to be relatively ad-free. That can be difficult to find on a free website, but I want the ads to be kid-friendly at the very least.
AbcYa
Abcya was always one of my kids’ favorite educational websites. It is intended for preschool – 6th grade.
Once again, there is a free version and a premium membership. This time, though, the free option has quite a few games.
The games are sorted by subject area. The spelling games are in the ‘language arts games’ section.
The free option includes full access to all of the games on the website.
The benefit of the premium membership is access to all the games via the app, no ads, saving progress on an unlimited number of games, use up to 5 devices (for the family membership). The premium membership is currently $9.99/ month, $44.99/ 6 months, or $69.99 annually.
SpellingTraining
SpellingTraining.com is a simple website that allows you to add up to ten words to your own word list. These could be spelling words or sight words that your child is working on. You can also use premade themed word lists.
This website allows kids to play a variety of fun spelling games with their lists, do a word search puzzle, or even try online spelling tests.
Merriam-Webster
Merriam-Webster, the dictionary publisher, has an interesting website full of language arts games. There is one spelling game, Spell It. In this game, players hear a word and have 15 seconds to spell it correctly. There are a few different difficulty levels. This might be a great way for kids who are participating in a spelling bee to practice.
Physical Spelling Games
These physical game options are perfect when you don’t want your kids in front of a screen. They are also great for kinesthetic learners who need to manipulate the pieces.
Scrabble Alphabet Scoop
This spelling game is for 2 – 4 players.
Every player takes a plastic scoop and a word card. The word cards have 5 words, each word ranging from 3 – 5 letters.
Players scoop up the letter tiles from the soup pot and try to spell one of the words on their cards. The first person to correctly spell one of their words wins the round with the number of points equivalent to the number of letters in the word. For example, spelling the word STAMP equals 5 points.
My kids both LOVED playing Scrabble Alphabet Scoop when they were in the early elementary grades.
Zingo Word Builder
- Trusted by Families Worldwide – With over 50 million sold, ThinkFun is the world’s leader in brain and logic games.
- Develops critical skills – Gameplay provides a stealth learning experience, where players build vocabulary and learn spelling patterns. Two levels of…
- What you get – Zingo Word Builder is one of ThinkFun’s Enormously popular Zingo products, containing a fun Zinger, 6 double sided cards and 72 double sided…
Last update on 2026-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Zingo Word Builder is an award-winning game geared toward the preschool and early elementary crowd.
This spelling game can be played by 2 – 6 players.
Players use the letter tiles to build 3-letter words. This simple game helps kids practice letter sounds and basic spelling.
Bananagrams
- FUN FOR EVERYONE – Gather your family and friends with word games for adults and kids, and race against each other to build crossword grids. This anagram…
- MAKES A GREAT GIFT – Bananagrams will make a thoughtful gift as family games for adults and children for your friends or family members. It is perfect…
- GREAT FOR TRAVEL – Bananagrams comes in a fun banana-shaped case. This game doesn’t take much space like other family board games and brings tons of…
Last update on 2026-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bananagrams is a low-stress way to practice building words.
Playing is very simple. Each player (1 – 8 people) gets an equal portion of the letter tiles. Everyone tries to build new words arranged in a crossword format. The first player to use up all of their tiles wins!
This game can certainly be played in groups, but my daughter prefers to play this spelling game independently. She frequently takes the little yellow banana bag to the table to play quietly when she is looking for a relaxing activity.
Wordplay
- FAST-PACED FUN FOR KIDS: Award-winning Wordplay for Kids features quick-thinking word challenges that keep every round lively, engaging, and…
- WHAT’S THE GAMEPLAY: Spin the wheel to reveal two letters that must be included in a word. Roll the dice to pick a category—’Food or Drink’, ‘Object or…
- QUICK! THINK OF A WORD: Can you come up with a ‘Food or Drink’ that includes the letters ‘P’ and ‘A’? You’ve got 60 seconds—can you think of words like…
Last update on 2026-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wordplay is a fast-paced spelling game. Each player creates words every round, so there is no downtime waiting for a turn.
In each round, a spinner chooses two letters and a die selects a word category. Then the players have 60 seconds to write down a word from that category with the selected letters.
When the timer is up, players move their game piece the number of spaces equal to the letters in their word. The first one around the board wins.
Speak and Spell
- Retro Play: Relive the classic fun of the 80s with Speak & Spell! This toy may be new, but it has all the iconic graphics, sounds, and gameplay you…
- 5 Play Modes: Enjoy hours of educational fun with 5 Play Modes! Spell, Mystery, Say It, Secret Code, and Letter—which game will you play today
- Multiple Challenge Levels: Ready to up your game? Choose from different challenge levels as you learn and play! Can you reach the highest level
Last update on 2026-11-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Who else had a Speak and Spell in the 80’s? I loved playing with mine! There are several spelling games available on this handheld game. Unlike many of the other games, this one can be played independently.
Printable Free Spelling Games
9. Popcorn Party
This printable free spelling game is the perfect companion to the All About Spelling curriculum. Don’t worry if you use a different curriculum, though. Kids can still benefit from the fun spelling practice.
10. Jail for Rule Breakers
Some words do not follow traditional spelling patterns. The All About Spelling curriculum refers to those tricky words as ‘rule breakers’. Help kids remember which words are breaking the rules by throwing them in jail with this free printable spelling game.
Keep these tips in mind when choosing spelling games for your kids:
- Time limits can be stressful for kids who are not naturally strong spellers. Other kids love beating the timer.
- Age or grade level suggestions are just suggestions. You know your child best.
- Keep reading . . .
- Online Writing Games with Night Zookeeper
- 50+ Fun Educational Board Games
- Amazing Hands-On Spelling Activities
- Teach Spelling Mastery in Just 20 Minutes a Day
- Geography Games for Kids
- Astronomy Games for Kids
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.