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Top 5 Word Games for Kids

Child practices with word formation board game
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Word games are a great way to help young children learn how to read and spell or to help older children fall in love with words.

  • 01 of 05

    Scrabble Junior

    Scrabble junior game

    Amazon.com

    Scrabble Jr comes with two versions, one on each side of the board. One for children as young as 4 or 5, the other for children up to 10. The game for the younger children is played by matching tiles to letters printed on the board, which builds familiarity with the alphabet.

    The game for older children is a basic version of Scrabble with simple scoring. They can compose their own words, and soon enough they'll be ready for the classic Scrabble game. Scrabble Junior is designed for two to four players.

  • 02 of 05

    Boggle Junior

    boggle jr

    Photo from Amazon

    This version is labeled for preschoolers. In the junior version of Boggle, children match the letters on the cubes to what they see pictured on a set of cards. Due to the nature of the game, you may find that your children like to make up their own rules. It introduces children to letter and word recognition, while they use skills in memory and matching.

    This game is for one or more players, ages 3 to 6. It comes with 30-word cards and picture cards and 60 three-letter and four-letter words. Soon they'll be ready to graduate to classic Boggle.

  • 03 of 05

    Apples to Apples Junior

    apples to apples junior

    Photo from Amazon

    This is a card game that you can play anywhere, although you'll need a group of four to 10 to play it, so think of a playgroup or party if you don't have a larger family. The gameplay is similar to the adult version of Apples to Apples, which is a tremendously fun party game.

    Players are dealt five red (noun) cards and try to pick one that best matches the judge's green (adjective) card. It will help build vocabulary and use their creativity and thinking skills. It's designed for ages 7 to 12. The game comes with 576 cards, so you are likely to keep them busy playing it for hours.

  • 04 of 05

    Taboo Junior

    taboo junior

    Photo from Amazon

    It's just like Outburst or the classic game of Taboo, except with 200 words chosen specifically for children. Players try to get their teammates to say the chosen word, but without saying any of the five "taboo" words listed on the card. Kids will try to describe bubble gum without using the words pink or blow, for example. It hones skills in thinking descriptively and communicating with others. It also rewards those who can think and speak fast.

    For ages 8 to 12, you will need four or more players as it is played with at least two teams of two people. It can be a fun party activity or rainy day activity for a playgroup.

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  • 05 of 05

    Hangman

    Hangman

    Photo from Amazon

    This is the board game version of the classic pen-and-paper game Hangman. It's designed for two players and recommended for ages 8 and up although some younger players will definitely be able to play. It will build skills in spelling and in word recognition. If you buy the travel version, it has magnetic letters as well as the body parts of the hanged man, to be played anywhere.​