Sight words are the building blocks of early reading success. These are the high-frequency words (like the, and, said, and where) that kids must recognize instantly without sounding out. Practicing sight words at home doesn’t have to feel like homework. In fact, when learning is wrapped in play, kids are more likely to stay engaged and retain what they learn.
Here are 10 engaging, parent-friendly ways to practice sight words at home that blend games, movement, creativity, and everyday routines.
Sight word scavenger hunt
Write sight words on sticky notes and hide them around the house. Give your child clues or turn it into a timed race. Each time they find a word, they have to read it aloud before keeping it.
Flashlight word wall
Tape sight words on a wall or closet door, turn off the lights, and hand your child a flashlight. Call out a word and let them “spotlight” it. Kids love the mystery of the dark!
Hopscotch words
Draw a hopscotch grid outside or indoors with painter’s tape. Write one sight word per square. As your child hops, they must say the word before moving forward.
Rainbow writing
Give your child markers or crayons and have them write each sight word in different colors. The repetition cements the spelling, while the rainbow makes it visually fun.
Sight word memory match
Create cards with pairs of sight words. Lay them face-down and play a memory-matching game. Each match requires the child to read the word aloud.
Cooking with words
While making dinner, use magnetic letters on the fridge or letter tiles on the counter. Challenge your child to “serve up” the sight word of the day.
Sight word bingo
Make simple bingo boards with sight words instead of numbers. Call out words, and your child marks them off. For added excitement, let them be the caller sometimes.
Build with blocks or LEGO
Write sight words on masking tape and stick them to blocks. As your child builds a tower, they must read the word before stacking it.
Sight word songs and rhymes
Turn sight words into short songs, chants, or rhymes. For example: “I can spell T-H-E, that spells the!” Music makes repetition more enjoyable.
Daily life word hunt
Encourage your child to “spot” sight words in real life—on signs, menus, cereal boxes, and mail. This helps them see reading as a useful skill outside of schoolwork.
Sight words worksheets
From kindergarten to grade 2, we have sets of worksheets for students to practice sight words.
Kindergarten sight words
These sets of worksheets cover sight words practice by finding, printing, searching and coloring sight words.
Grade 1 sight words worksheets
Students an improve the recognition of grade 1 sight words with these sets of worksheets.
Practice sight words at the grade 2 level
Students can practice recognizing grade 2 level sight words with these sets of worksheets.
Sight words flashcards
We have also created printable flashcards for students to practice Dolch and Fry sight words.
Dolch sight words
Categorized by grade level, these flashcards cover the Dolch sight words.
Fry sight words
Categorized into 200 words each, the Fry word list of 1,000 words are available as flashcards on this page.
