Fun ideas: age 6-7
Your child will now be more of an independent reader with views about what he or she likes to read. It is still important to play games, not least because we all love games! Here are some that are fun and easy to do and which will help with your child’s developing reading skills, spelling and writing:
Top ten games and activities:
1. Language games
- Read and remember poems, e.g. Michael Rosen's and join online author fan clubs as they usually feature fun activities, jokes and competitions.
- Play with language. Spot words within words or try to make up new words for things like stepevator for elevator, or smoketube for chimney...
- Play games such as Articulate.
2. Phonic and spelling games
- Complete and make up word searches.
- Play word/spelling games like Junior Scrabble, Bananagrams and Boggle to focus on blending letter sounds to make words.
- Write a word out – it could be a word from the weekly spellings list – cut it up and ask your child to put it back in the correct order.
3. Memory games
- Have fun trying to memorise menus in restaurants and cafés!
- Memorise directions to the swimming pool or to a friend’s house using the right terms; turn right, go over the roundabout, pass the sweet shop and it’s second on the left.
- Use flashcards to help your child remember the weekly spellings and/or write the words out: look, say, cover, write, look back to check it!
4. Listening games
- Draw a picture and then while you describe what you have drawn your child has to draw what you are describing. Compare your drawings.
- Make up riddles about an object or person you know and see if your child can guess what or who it is, e.g. they wear skirts, they have grey hair, they live in a house etc. Who are they?
- Play with flashcard games . Send your child on an errand – can they listen and remember the list?
5. Action games
- Play Twister – read the instruction about which colour dot your left/right, hand/foot should be placed on the floor mat! Lots of skills to coordinate at the same time!
- Play charades with friends and family.
- Write words like run, walk, jump, sit, etc. on separate pieces of paper like flashcards. Get your child to read the word and do the action. Time them!
6. Tactile games
- Use puppets, creatures, models to create and tell stories as a show.
- Create posters, book covers and presents using sand paper, magazine cut outs, fabric, paint, glitter glue, buttons and straws. Go 3D!
- Use fridge magnet games to build messages, stories and poetry, e.g. Gone to Matt’s for tea!
7. Screen games
- Buy ‘educational’ DS games and encourage your child to read the instructions by themselves. Talk to your child about the games and ask them to explain how to play.
- Watch adaptations of stories, e.g. The Gruffalo (Donaldson), Horton Hears a Who (Dr Seuss), and talk about the differences between the book and the film.
- Show your child useful online sites like YouTube and iTunes, explaining how you read to make choices.
8. Car journey games
- Use Michelin I-Spy books (I-Spy Car Journeys, I-Spy Cars, etc.).
- Make up sentences using the letters and numbers on registration plates – like text language.
- Encourage your child to read road signs, to give you directions or to set the satnav!
9. Practical activities
- Look at newspaper articles, notices from school, leaflets/guides in museums together.
- Get your child to think about the week’s activities: clubs, school events, parties.
- Get them to think about holiday packing lists (it’ll save you the worry!) and ‘to do’ lists.
10. Reading books of all kinds together
- There are some great picture books for older children so don’t give up on pictures. Don’t forget comics too!
- Read simple chapter books with fewer pictures and read a couple of chapters at night.
Why not choose a book from our library to share on-screen now together?
Print this page