One of my main goals in my classroom is engaging students in their learning. One of the best ways to do this is through games and play. I have created fun sight word games that can be used in any primary grade. Now these are not your ordinary sight word games, but your students will love them!

Fun Sight Word Games

My first sight word game that I use in my classroom is a classic one. Kids love board games. They know how to play them with little instruction. Have them roll a dice and move their piece. The word they land on, they have to read. These are great because they are also low prep for teachers. Just type in the six words you want your students to focus on, print, and put in a sheet protector or laminate. Then they are ready to go. I have multiple board games available in my classroom with different themes to keep students engaged in these fun sight word games.

Next, students love card games. An easy, but super fun sight word game is Sight Word Old Maid. Students laugh and giggle as the old maid card gets passed around. As students get matches, they set the cards down and read the word. This game is one of my students’ favorite activities we have in our classroom. I place out a set for fast finisher activities. I love to see the children play together as they are practicing and working on sight words.

Another fun sight word game that is my students’ favorite is our Sight Word Word Search. Students love searching for those hidden sight words. I like to help each student be successful at this activity by hiding each word three times. This gives a challenge to students who need extension. This also supports students that may struggle with word searches. They have more chances to find sight words in the word searches. As my students have worked with word searches, I have seen them get faster and faster finding the words. And best part about it, they are recognizing sight words, spelling them in their heads, and reading the words.

This next sight word game is really unique. It’s a top game! Print out the game board, cut and fold up the sides. Then it is ready for students. You can buy a pack of dollar store tops. Students spin the top on the board and read the word it lands on. There is also a version that has points on each space to bring in some competition into the game. I love how students are getting hands on in this game. They love using the tops, and because of that, it is such a fun sight word game for the kids!

My final sight word game is also easy prep for the teacher and highly engaging for students. It’s so simple, but such a fun sight word game! It’s a bean bag toss. Print out the cards and laminate. Students place them on the floor face down and then take turns tossing a bean bag. If they land on a card, they get to keep it. If it lands on a red card, they have to put back all their cards! This game is so engaging because students are up and moving. 

Fun Sight Word Games for First Grade

Like I said, these fun sight word games can be used for any grade! So use them for first grade and even second grade. Each game comes with a recording sheet so students can get extra practice of writing the words. This acts as an extension activity for these grade levels. As students, play, read, and write, they will be getting the practice they need on sight words and having fun along the way, no matter which grade.

Making games can take up a lot of prep time for a teacher. That is why my games are auto fill. Simply type in the words you want to work with once and it will fill in the words for each page of the game. Since these sight word games are editable, you can use them for any list and any grade. Save by buying these games in a bundle.

Use these fun sight word games as centers or fast finisher activities!

Need some fun math fact game ideas? Check out this blog post here.

Looking for other ways to get your students more engaged during lessons? Download the free 7 Steps to an Engaged Classroom Workbook.