reading activities for 5 year olds

23 Fun Reading Games for Kids

By melissa taylor.

It’s no secret that kids love to play. So a fun way to improve reading skills is by playing reading games. And many of these games are free!

Free Reading Games

Yes & no phonics and word game (ages 4+).

Turn word lists into a “yes” or “no” game with questions such as these:

  • Does the word begin with the letter ____?
  • Does the word end in a vowel?
  • Does the word have a long “a” sound?

Say and Stomp (Ages 4+)

Write letters on the top of styrofoam cups. Say the letter sound and stomp the cup.

Memory Match (Ages 5+)

Make your own game of Memory with pairs of sight words or short phrases written on index cards.

Bingo (Ages 5+)

Bingo games give kids a fun way to practice reading a variety of words, from easy to difficult.

  • Sight Word Bingo
  • Magic E Bingo
  • Rhyming Bingo

Go Fish (Ages 5+)

Make your own Go Fish game using sight words or vocabulary words. Create pairs or groups of four.

Word Search (Ages 5+)

Use foam letters and make a 3D word search for your beginning readers.

Silly Voices Reading (Ages 5+)

Belinda Kinney shares sixteen reading voice ideas. Her original idea is to use the reading voices for reading words, but I think it would be fun to read entire stories or parts of stories in these silly voices, don’t you?

Vowel Sounds Marble Game (Ages 5+)

Put a marble underneath one of three cups. Each cup should have a single vowel written on it. Take turns hiding the marble and mixing up the cups. The child guesses where the marble is located and says the vowel sound.

Fluency Target Time (Ages 6+)

Correctly read the first sentence or paragraph to advance to the second ring. If you make a mistake, stay on the outer ring.

Connect Four Words (Ages 6+)

Use word stickers on your Connect Four game pieces. Pick one of the word stickers, read the sight word correctly, then put the word piece into the game. Four in a row wins.

Word Towers (Ages 6+)

Add labels with words written on them to Duplo blocks. Build sentences and stories. Then, read what you’ve created.

Reading Games to Buy

Reading riddle maze game (ages 4+).

Read a riddle then move to get the tile with the riddle’s answer. The first player to collect three riddle cards wins.

Wordsearch Junior (Ages 4+)

Preschoolers do the six matching pattern puzzles or six picture hint puzzles and early readers solve the word-only puzzles.

Zingo! (Ages 5+)

Match pictures to the correct words to fill your Zingo (like Bingo) board. The first player with a full card wins.

What’s Gnu! (Ages 5+)

Use the letter tiles to create three letter words.

Go 4 It! Word Families (Ages 5+)

The goal of this Go Fish game is to collect words in word families, such as the “–ake” family of words.

4-In-A-Row CVC Words (Ages 5+)

Spin the color spinner. Read a word on that color tile and put a chip on it. Connect four words in a row to win.

Make-A Word Soft Touch Dice: CVC Words (Ages 5+)

Soft dice help kids make consonant-vowel-consonant words. Make up your own game and rules.

Let’s Go Fishing: First 100 Fry Words (Ages 5+)

Catch a sight word fish. Read it correctly and you can keep it.

uKloo Sight Word Treasure Hunt (Ages 5+)

Read and solve the riddle clues that contain sight words. Follow the trail to a prize.

Pirate Island: Reading for Details (Ages 7+)

Race around the board by reading short passages and answering the detail questions correctly. The first one to the treasure chest wins.

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27 Fun Reading Activities To Try At Home or In The Classroom

Bird's-eye view of a teacher and five students sitting on the ground during reading activities.

Written by Ashley Crowe

Teachers and parents

Prodigy English is ready to explore! Get kids playing — and learning — today.

Fun reading activities for the classroom

Reading activities for parents & children, activities to try after reading, other educational activities to help kids learn.

Learning to read is a huge milestone in a child’s life. We all know how important a love of reading is for future learning. When children love to read, they can learn anything. 

Make sure your children keep the joy of reading alive by using fun reading activities along with traditional reading strategies .

These fun daily moments can improve reading skills and help reluctant readers find joy in the written word. We’ll be covering reading activities by grade level both for the classroom and at home, as well as some activities to improve reading comprehension after your students are reading independently. 

A teacher reads to a group of young students during reading activities.

Though many children begin the basics of reading at home, most solidify their skills and become accomplished readers in the classroom. These activities keep early readers engaged and improving while helping reluctant readers master the basics. Here are our favorite ways to keep reading fun!

1. Find the secret word

Great for: Kindergarten to 2nd grade

Turn a reading lesson into a scavenger hunt! Give each student or pair of students a piece of text, then speak the first secret word. Once they find it, have them circle it in a specific color, or circle and number, then report back to you for word #2. 

Keep this word search up for as long as you like — we recommend choosing about 8 to 10 words for students to find. It’s one part competition, one part scavenger hunt! Choose a prize for each team to receive when they complete the activity. Or celebrate everyone reaching the end with a classroom dance party! It’s a great way to keep your kids moving and learning.

2. Read aloud as a class

Great for: All grades

Kids are never too old to hear a story read aloud. Reading aloud as a class is a great way to keep kids engrossed in a story. Since you are most familiar with the text, you can keep the flow going during the dramatic moments. Then hand it off to your students to take their turns.

Want to add a new element to your classroom read-aloud? Pass around a ball or stuffed animal to indicate the next reader. It’s a variation of popcorn reading to help minimize reading anxiety, and it gives kids the power to pass it on after spending a short time reading. 

3. Partner reading

Great for: 1st to 3rd grade

Sometimes trying to get the whole class to read together is just too much. To encourage more reading time, pair up your students for partner reading. 

During partner reading, each child will get more time to practice their skills. And being corrected privately by one friend may be better for a struggling reader’s confidence. Try to pair a confident but patient reader with those who need some extra help and watch them both learn to succeed.

4. Find the synonym

Great for: 2nd to 5th grade

Once your readers are feeling more confident, take our scavenger hunt game mentioned above and add a new twist. 

Instead of searching for the exact spoken words on your list, give students the challenge to find the word’s synonym in the text. It’s a great way to keep the game challenging for older students.

5. Word searches

For younger students, a word search is a challenging way to encourage early reading. You can do this much like our scavenger hunt-style games, but instead of saying the words aloud, provide a list. 

They can search for one word at a time, with you providing the next word to the team once the first is found. Or provide a full list from the beginning and let them work individually. Add in some color matching (marking the word in the same color as printed on the list) to keep this game fun and engaging.

6. Keyword bingo

Looking for a calmer alternative to the secret word game? Have each child work individually in a game of reading bingo. Choose a grade-level text and compile a list of words found in the passage. 

Read each word aloud, giving about 15 seconds before moving on to the next. It’s a race against your clock to find the words, or they can try to remember them while looking for the others. When they find the words, they can mark them out. Once the list is done, allow 20 more seconds to wrap up any remaining words, then pencils down and count. Whoever finds the most words, wins!

7. Decoding games

Decoding games focus on letter sounds and phonemic awareness. A favorite game for pre-readers is to say a letter and have students find an object that starts with that letter. As they bring the object back, reinforce the sound that letter makes.

Other decoding games can focus on the mechanics of reading — such as reading a word or sentence from left to right. This is a great time to utilize finger puppets, following along with a finger as you sound the words out together.

8. Thumbs up, thumbs down

Great for: Kindergarten to 5th grade

Thumbs up, thumbs down (or the higher energy variation — stand up, sit down) is a great game to keep your students engaged. 

Check reading comprehension when you ask students to give a thumbs up if a statement about a recently read story is true, or a thumbs down if it’s false. Help them grasp grammar concepts by having them stand up when you say an adjective word or sit down if you say a noun. 

It’s a fun way to keep their bodies and brains working. 

9. Discover the missing letter

When you’re teaching letter sounds, it’s fun to get creative. In this game, you’ll call your students to the front of the class by their names — minus the first letter. For example, Stacy becomes tacy and Roland becomes oland. Let the kids guess who you’re calling up, then have them decode the missing letter. 

You can do the same thing for objects, or drop middle letters for older children. Just be sure to prepare your words ahead of time to avoid any slip-ups!  

10. Guided reading ball game

Great for: 2nd to 7th grade

Grab a few beach balls from your local dollar store and get your classroom moving. Take a sharpie and write a discussion prompt on each colorful section of the ball. What is the setting? Who is the main character? What happened after…? 

Toss or roll the balls around. Students answer whichever question their thumb lands on when the ball heads their way. This is an exciting way to mix things up, practice reading comprehension and get kids thinking outside of their seats.

A mother and child sit on the couch and do reading activities together.

Not all reading happens in the classroom! Parents can play an active role in helping their children learn to read. Here are a few activities to try with your kids.

1. Reading together

Great for: All grades and ages

There’s something special about listening to a book being read out loud. It can capture your attention in a unique way. Whether your child is a baby or fully grown, it’s always a good time to read together.

Take turns reading chapters from a favorite story, or just read to your child. Enjoying good stories is a huge motivator in learning to read.  

2. Silly voices reading

Great for: Kindergarten to 4th grade

Kids love to laugh and joke, so play into this with a crazy story and silly voices. Get really high-pitched, speed it up like a chipmunk, and then pitch your voice low. 

Your kids will love seeing these stories come to life with your words, and you’ll all share a good laugh. To get them involved in the fun, ask them to do their own silly voice!

3. Dialogic reading

The word dialogic means to have a dialogue, and that’s exactly what this activity is designed to do. Instead of reading to your child while they passively listen, invite them into the story. Ask them what they think may happen next, or at the close of the book invite them to create a completely different ending. This is a great way to stretch your little storyteller’s imagination.

4. Reading outside

Kids thrive outdoors. They can run, climb, and dig in the dirt. Outside is also a great place to practice reading and letter writing. Invite your child to help you create words in a sandbox or take a stick and dig a letter into the dirt. 

Older kids can simply take their reading outside. It’s amazing how refreshing a change of setting can be. 

5. What word starts with…

Great for: Kindergarten to 1st grade

Letter sounds are an essential early reading tool. With this game, ask your child to think of words that start with “B” (or any other letter).

 Give an example, like b-b-butterfly, then think of more “B” words together. Choose your child’s favorite things to keep the game fun and exciting. Early readers especially love to talk about the letters in their names.

6. Try nonfiction

Great for: All ages

You never know what a child may love to read. Though many kids enjoy a good princess or dragon story, others will prefer non-fiction books. 

If your attempts at fiction are met with indifference, try a book about their favorite animal (sharks, dinosaurs, or lemurs are popular here), learn about space or strange weather events. Whatever your child is into, and whatever their reading level, there’s a book for them.

7. Create a “book nook”

A cozy spot dedicated to reading can add joy to the activity. Load up a corner or top bunk space with comfy pillows and blankets, make sure it has good lighting, and include some sticky notes and a dictionary. All your child needs to bring is their favorite book! Even better, snuggle in together and discover a new favorite with your child.

8. Who’s coming over?

This game can be played in a couple of different ways, and both are great for reading comprehension. First, try giving clues so your child can guess their favorite characters. These favorites can be from books or TV. You can mention physical characteristics, some of their best friends, or things that happen to them. Keep giving clues until they guess correctly.

The second way to play is to invite a favorite character over and then discuss what you’ll need for their visit. A special kind of bed, their favorite foods, or a place for their pet to stay are all things to consider. This is a fun way to create your own story around your child’s favorite characters.

9. Take turns reading

As your child begins to read you can invite them to read to you. Don’t push if they don’t want to, but as their confidence builds they’ll be excited to share their new skill with you. 

This may look like you both taking turns reading a new chapter book, or they may want to share all the creature descriptions from their favorite new computer game. No matter the topic, do your best to listen intently and congratulate them on their reading skills.  

10. What happens next?

Keep reading fun and active when you step outside the book and asking your child what happens next:

  • What do they think will happen?
  • What would you like to see happen? 
  • What’s something funny that could happen?

Any question that gets them thinking through the story on their own is both fun and helpful for reading comprehension. 

11. Talk about the pictures

Pictures are a great way for kids to follow along with a story. When your child is beginning to read, have them look at the pictures and ask what they think is going on. As they unravel the story, point out the words they are discovering in the text. Or just let them enjoy creating their own unique version of the story based on the pictures. 

12. Try new reading apps and websites

There are some amazing reading apps for both reading instruction and digital reading libraries. If your child enjoys spending time on their tablet, give some of our favorite reading apps a try and watch them learn while they play.

Close-up picture of a child reading a book.

After your child is reading on their own, there’s still plenty to learn. Reading isn’t effective if they’re struggling to understand the words on the page, or how they all fit together to create the story. Here are a few activities for children to practice reading comprehension.

1. Summarize the text

Once a child is done reading a text or section of a book, have them revisit the main ideas by highlighting or taking notes on the text’s biggest themes. Once students identify the main themes, ask them to break them down further and quickly summarize the story.

2. Book reports

Great for: 2nd to 12th grade

Book reports are a classic reading activity. Have the child analyze the book, highlighting the most important themes. Older children can present arguments pertaining to the story, and provide passages to support their theories. 

Keep book reports even more engaging when you invite kids to give a presentation, complete with dress-up and drama. 

3. Review the book

Ask children to rate their most recent reading. They can assign it a number of stars, but then they must also explain why. Was it too scary? Not funny? What were their favorite parts? What would they do differently?

Not only does this help students think critically about what they’ve just read, but it can also help parents and teacher identify what they might like reading next.

4. Extend the story

Great for: Kindergarten to 12th grade

“And they lived happily ever after…”

Maybe so, but what happened next? Ask your child to keep the story going. Where do they go next? Who do they meet? Favorite characters can continue adventuring when your child takes over the story. This is a great writing prompt , or just a fun dinner conversation!

5. How could it have been better?

Everyone has an opinion, so ask your child for theirs. How could this book or story have been better? Would a different ending be more fun? Or maybe they just think the main character should be named after them. 

No matter their critique, listen and discuss. Then encourage them to create their own tale.

How reading activities help kids embrace learning

Reading keeps kids learning for the rest of their lives. When a child can read, they can take more control over their education. And that’s a wonderful thing!

Fun activities are the best way to keep a child interested in the world of books. Learning to read can be a frustrating journey for some. Others may simply find it boring (especially if they’re being made to read about topics they care little about). These activities are designed to get kids moving and thinking beyond the page. Because when reading is fun, learning happens naturally.

Young girl writes using a paper and pencil during educational activities.

When teaching starts to feel like a drag, or the kids are fighting their instruction, revisit this article. Mix in some fun activities and keep the learning going. Getting up, moving around, or enjoying a laugh together can help stimulate everyone’s mind. 

Looking for even more great learning activities to engage your kids? Here are some of our favorite activity posts for reading, math, and more!

  • 21 Classroom Games
  • 15 Geometry Activities
  • 20 Exciting Math Games
  • 30 Virtual School Activities
  • 36 Fun Word Game for Kids
  • 15 Free Multiplication Games
  • 37 Quick Brain Breaks for Kids
  • 27 Best Educational Games for Kids
  • 25 Social-Emotional Learning Activities  

Get more ways to help kids love learning with Prodigy English , a brand-new learning adventure! Whether you're a parent or a teacher, create a free Prodigy account to access tools that help you support reading and language learning in the classroom or at home.

Practise graphemes and phonemes.

Activity: Billy Goats Gruff

reading activities for 5 year olds

Practise word endings.

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It is natural to think that children struggling with beginning reading may just need more time to settle in and that they will catch...

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reading activities for 5 year olds

If your child is 3, 4, or 5 years old, take the Preschool Reading Screener.  It's free and easy, and offers an instant snapshot of your child's reading readiness, plus a plan for moving forward.

  • Begins smiling
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  • Enjoys large clear pictures
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  • "Labels" things consistently with the same sound
  • Points correctly if asked, "Where is..?"
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  • Fills in words in stories
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  • Recites phrases from stories
  • Corrects you if you read the story wrong
  • Enjoys the same book over and over again
  • Likes stories with rhyme and patterns
  • Understands that printed words are different than pictures
  • Moves finger left to right under print
  • Shows longer attention span for stories
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  • Knows a few letters
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  • Learns letter names and sounds
  • Finds words that rhyme
  • Claps syllables in words
  • Understands story line
  • Reads several words
  • Knows most letters and their sounds
  • Matches words by beginning or ending sound
  • Sounds out simple words
  • Attempts some spelling

reading activities for 5 year olds

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25 Engaging Activities For 5-Year-Olds

November 16, 2022 //  by  Michelle Mandel

When I think about five-year-olds, I think about the world of imagination and endlessly learning possibilities- where the impossible is possible, and there are no limits and boundaries. Five-year-olds are eager to learn, help, and do. They are on the go from morning till night, so they need plenty of short activities to keep them entertained. We’ve compiled a list of 25 engaging activities, so dive right in and remember to have fun!

1. Play With Your Food

Kids are always told, “Don’t play with your food.” Well, in this activity, we are going to do just that! Ever heard of Rainbow Toast?  Children will have edible paint and some toast and can let their imaginations go wild as they paint a rainbow. Afterward, they can enjoy an edible treat! 

Learn More: Holley Grainger

2. Cookie Merger

Hundreds of years ago, Othello was first played with black and white stones in Japan. The game’s object is to enclose the opposite color so it can be flipped over. This time we are using black and white sandwich cookies in a fast-paced game with a twist.

Learn More: Kids Activities Blog

3. Got Cups?

Plastic cups can be so much fun if you know what to do with them. Cup activities go far beyond just stacking them up. From bowling, ping pong, sorting, or drawing, plastic cup activities win hands down. Kids have big red plastic cups and small squares of construction paper, and the aim is to try and build the tallest tower. 

Learn More: Pickle Bums

4. Egg Carton Planting

Little ones like the experience and idea of gardening, but many do not like all the hassle it entails. Children can have lots of fun in the classroom with egg carton plants. They can simply fill a carton with soil, plant the seed, water it, and watch it grow. 

Learn More: Pink Fortitude

5. Ants Go Marching

Ants are so interesting to learn about, and with this fantastic craft, children can make their own red and black ants out of spoons! Connect assorted spoons and paint them red or black. Glue on some googly eyes and pipe cleaner legs, and your ants are ready for marching! 

Learn More: Danielle’s Place

6. Junk In Your Trunk

This game takes a little bit of investment, but it is well worth it. All you need is some tissue boxes, ping pong balls, and a few other odds and ends. The game’s objective is to get all the balls out of the tissue box as fast as possible. Shake, jiggle and move to get your “junk out of your trunk.”

Learn More: JCTV Family Vlog

7. Shhh, It’s Quiet Time

Children need downtime, and to create the best chill time for your kindergartener, you need to create the right atmosphere. Healthy music, low lights or soft lighting, crayons and paper, soft toys, and comfortable seating do wonder! 

Learn More: Families In Schools

8. Bean Bag Fun 

Bean bags are so easy to make, and they are essential in child development. Practice the art of balancing by getting your little ones to balance bean bags on different body parts. There are so many games that can be played with bean bags; whether it’s a tossing or spatial activity, your learners are sure to have a good time! 

Learn More: Empowered Parents

9. Inventive Activity Cards 

Five-year-olds are full of imagination, and we have to help nurture their literary skills and public speaking. One great idea to help you do this is picture cards that can be bought or made. Children lay a few of the cards on the table and then tell us a simple story step by step. 

Learn More: Tinker Lab

10. Scavenger Hunt For Beginner Readers

Using cards with simple instructions and some picture cards, pupils can work together and solve the puzzles to discover the treasure. Hide items in the playground or classroom for learners to search for. 

Learn More: There’s Just One Mommy

11. Lego Charades 

This is a fantastic game! Each child gets a picture to recreate using Lego blocks. The other children will guess what they are building as they create. It seems complicated, but it works really well, and your little ones will love the interactive guessing part! 

Learn More: Big Family Blessings

12. Musical Moves

This is an adorable, kid-friendly YouTube exercise video with easy exercise moves. All your little ones need to do is listen to the instructions and follow along. Exercise is important for everyone’s health; if you start young, your students will have good habits!

Learn More: Monica Flores Fitness

13. Paper Plate Snowman

Snowmen crafts are fantastic Winter makes! Make a paper plate snowman using paper plates, glue, and googly eyes. Print out the body parts before cutting them out and assembling the body. 

Learn More: Simple Everyday Mom

14. Learn With The Gruffalo 

To teach reading, kids need to know how to decipher rhyme. The Gruffalo is a funny tale to help with rhyming, and children can then invent their own crazy animals like a COG or a SNOG! 

Learn More: Deanna Jump

15. STEM Paper Airplanes

Paper Airplanes can be challenging to make, but with the right instructions, you have a great educational STEM project! All your learners need is some paper, crayons to decorate their finished product and a whole lot of patience! 

Learn More: Engineering Emily

16. BIG or PIG 

5-Year-olds are at the age where they are beginning to read. This website is great for practicing blending words and developing pre-reading skills that will improve your child’s phonological awareness. 

Learn More: Education.com

17. Bed Of Roses

Small pink rose flowers and green leaves in a floral arrangement isolated

Make a beautiful bouquet of roses using play dough! They are truly beautiful and easy to make. Start with a few small pieces of playdough or clay – rolling them into small balls and then into oval shapes before pressing the pieces together and forming flowers. 

Learn More: Krokotak

18. Twister

There is something exciting about being entangled with your friends! Time to take off your shoes and stretch a little. Challenge your learners to keep their balance as you spin the instruction wheel and have your students follow the prompts by placing their body parts on the mat. 

Learn More: Little Learning Corner

19. Obstacle Course

Use some yarn and other household items you have lying around the house to create an awesome obstacle course. Get your little ones involved in designing and setting up their very own obstacle course before maneuvering through it for hours! 

Learn More: Life Family Fun

20. Cotton Ball Balancing 

This is an awesome activity to practice balance if you have a few teaspoons and cotton balls lying around. Place a cotton ball on the spoon and have your learners race from one end of the classroom to the other without dropping their cotton balls.

Learn More: A Mom’s Take

21. Full Of Beans

Set up a sensory bin using assorted beans. Kids will love the sensation of running their fingers through the beans and enjoying the texture. They can use containers to pour the beans from one box into another or even practice their math skills by counting out a given number. 

Learn More: Bounce Back Parenting

22. Hot Potato Balloon Game

Hot potato entails moving extremely fast. Blow up a balloon and have your learners stand in a circle. The object of the game is to keep the balloon in the air and not hold onto it for too long. 

23. Simon Says

Simon says is an awesome opportunity to practice listening skills. Learners can play by following the instructions called out by “Simon.” If an instruction is given without the words “Simon says…”, the learners who complete the action are out. 

Learn More: Patty Shukla Kids TV – Children’s songs

24. Dice Game

Moo like a cow, jump like a rabbit, sing like a bird- all of these options and more can be played in an animal activity dice game. Roll the die and follow the instructions written on a piece of paper. Make sure your learners have plenty of space to move around in.

Learn More: Twitchetts

25. Horse 

Using smaller basketball nets and softballs, children can play this great classic game. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the basket from different positions.  If you miss after three tries, you get an H, and so on. Once you have the word HORSE spelled out in full, you’re eliminated from play. 

Learn More: Rookie Road

Mum's Little Explorers

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15 Early Literacy Activities for Kids (Toddlers & Pre-School)

by mumslittleexplorers · September 15, 2021

A list of fun early literacy activities for kids from toddlers to pre-school including lots of language and literacy activities for kids to learn while having fun.

What is Early Literacy For Kids?

Literacy is the ability to read, write, understand and express language.

Early literacy is this type of language development from an early age, e.g. a toddler or pre-schooler.

Children are exposed to literacy from a very young age without us even realising it. However there are also things we can do, and steps we can take as parents to expose them to more and help to develop their language development.

Importance of Early Literacy For Kids

There are many benefits and advantages of early literacy. Because literacy is the foundation to all other learning, it is one of the most important aspects of early childhood development.

Early literacy helps children to communicate.

Things such as exposing children to a range of different reading and writing materials from a young age can benefit children in their early years, even if there is no formal learning.

Children who do not have access to these tools and opportunities may find it difficult to find means of communication and it can affect their behaviour due to not being able to express their needs and wants.

Early literacy is also important for children who are starting school. The more children are exposed to reading and writing activities at home, the more prepared they will be to start a formal education.

Early Literacy Activities for Kids

Here you can find a list of fun early literacy activities for kids including:

  • 5 Early literacy activities for toddlers
  • 10 Early literacy activities for kindergarten / pre-school

5. Early Literacy Activities for Toddlers

It is never too early to start with early literacy activities, however for young kids, especially toddlers, they learn best through play. You can try to incorporate these early literacy activities into your usual daily routine. Here are 5 early literacy activities for toddlers.

1. Songs & Nursery Rhymes

Even if your toddler isn’t forming proper sentences yet, singing and reciting nursery rhymes is a great way to learn new vocabulary. Kids love repetition. Listen to music, sing songs, read nursery rhyme books and follow the words along together. Here is a great list of NURSERY RHYME LYRICS.

2. Looking at picture books

One of the best early literacy activities for toddlers is looking at picture books. They may not know how to read yet, however learning to turn the page from right to left, and guessing what is happening from the pictures is all helping with their literacy skills.

3. Reading to

You should start reading to your little one as early as possible, even from birth. Read a range of different books so that your toddler hears different vocabulary and words that they would otherwise not hear on a day to day basis. Even if they are not talking back, they are taking it all in and storing this information in their brains for later use.

4. Playdough

In order to start to write, children’s hand muscles need to be strong enough to hold and control a pen. Playdough, or any activity where kids can manipulate a material with their hands is perfect for learning early literacy skills. Don’t have playdough? Make it at home with our PLAYDOUGH RECIPE .

5. Scribbling

Give your toddler a crayon or pencil with some paper and let them start scribbling away. Teach your child how to hold the pencil properly and practice together. This will help their fine motor skills and strengthen their hand and finger muscles so they can really start to write and draw.

10. Early Literacy Activities for Kindergarten / Pre-school

Early literacy activities for kindergarten and pre-school kids are important for school readiness. Once kids get to school formal learning starts and kids will start to read and write on a regular basis. Preparing before kids get to school with fun early literacy activities at home can be a great help in giving kids the confidence they need once they get to school.

1. Pretend Reading

Most pre-schoolers won’t be fluent readers yet, however they can pretend to read by guessing what is going on with the pictures. If you provide books with just a few words on each page they can also start to guess them.

2. Reciting the alphabet

Before children can learn to read and write, they must first learn to recognise the letters of the alphabet. One of the best early literacy activities for kids is reciting or singing the alphabet. Once they know the letter names, you can then also start to teach them the letter sounds, pointing at objects that start with that letter.

3. Colouring in

Another early literacy activity for kids to improve their strength is colouring in. Print off their favourite super hero or princess, or purchase a colouring book and they can colour in as many pages as they like. Initially they will probably scribble, but eventually they should learn to control the pencil and colour in the lines.

4. Tracing & practicing letters

Tracing letters of the alphabet is really important but fun early literacy activity for pre-schoolers and kindergarten kids. This can be done in many ways. It can be done finger painting on paper, it can be done making letters out of playdough, or you can set up a plate of sand, and kids can use their hands to practice letters.

5. Listening to stories

Listening to stories is another early literacy activity for pre-schoolers. It could be on a parents lap reading a bedtime story, or it could be using an audio book.

6. Letter matching

There are various different letter matching activities and games. It could be matching the capital letter with the small letter, or it could be matching the letter with an object. Both are great early literacy activities for kids to learn the letter sounds. You could even do a SCAVENGER HUNT .

7. Drawing shapes

Before children are able to draw letters, they need to be able to draw different shapes. Drawing circles and lines, and then connecting them to make triangles and squares is a great literacy activity for practicing this skill.

8. Connect the dots

You may find these activity books at your local store, or online. Otherwise you can also prepare a page yourself. Connecting dots to make pictures or letters helps kids practice their writing and drawing skills and improves their muscle strength in their hands and fingers.

9. Learning to write name

One of the main things children work on in kindergarten and preschool is learning to write their name. With many of the early literacy activities for kids in this post, they are preparing to help this happen. Once your child can control a pencil, draw lines and circles, and connect them together, they should be able to start practicing their name. It may not look perfect to start with but they will get there with practice.

10. Word games

Word games are a fantastic early literacy activity for pre-schoolers once they know their letters. I spy is a great one to start with to help them find things around starting with a certain letter. Once kids learn to write letters you can also play games such as hangman. Here you can find a list of fun WORD GAMES FOR KIDS .

Early Literacy Activities for Kids Should be Fun

The idea of literacy and early literacy can seem like daunting for many parents however it doesn’t need to be. Early literacy activities for kids should be fun and come naturally. Play games and create an enjoyable environment and it won’t feel like you are teaching.

Hopefully these early literacy activities for toddlers, and early literacy activities for pre-schoolers have given you some ideas of things you can do at home to teach your kids valuable skills before they start school.

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Home > Blog > Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds: Free Apps and the Best Book Choices

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Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds: Free Apps and the Best Book Choices

September 5, 2023.

Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

Children who are five-years-old are either still in preschool or starting kindergarten. At this age, children are starting to read very basic text, and they are grasping phonics concepts that allow them to understand letter blends and patterns. Phonetically, they learn the sounds of these letters and blends, too.

Parents of five-year-olds should read to their child often , and they should help guide children as they learn to sound out words in books. What are the best reading books for 5-year-olds? Parents can find great book choices at the library and via apps, too. Here are the best apps and books for this age.

Best Apps for 5-Year-Olds: Use Apps to Gain Phonics Fluency

Use apps as a tool to help five-year-olds master letters and sounds. Both Google Play and the App Store offer an extensive list of free apps that provide interactive and immersive phonics practice for kids.

Some apps feature a gamified design that lets children play matching games or puzzle games. Explore apps with fun characters, or just find an app that lets children practice letters with flashcards.

When downloading free apps, pay attention to both the age recommendation and any notes related to in-app purchases. Many free apps let players make purchases within a game or program, and this can result in an unwanted and expensive bill. The Tech Edvocate explains how to disable this feature on phones and tablets.

Reading for 5-Year-Olds Free

The best place for parents to find free books for children is at their local library. Many libraries also host storytime events for young children, summer reading programs , and other activities.

Take children to visit the library and let them explore the children’s section. Parents should resist the urge to choose books for children. Giving children the power of book choice helps them find books that they like and discover favorite authors, too. Step back, let children explore, and see what books interest them.

Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

Reading for 5-Year-Olds: What is the Ideal Reading Level

How can parents find out their child’s reading level? At age five, not all children will have their reading level assessed. However, children in kindergarten will begin to take reading assessments to help teachers understand their reading proficiency and to watch reading gains throughout the year.

According to Scholastic, kindergarteners might end the year at a reading level of D . In elementary school, many assessments denote reading levels with a letter (A to Z). Parents who are concerned about their child’s reading level should contact their child’s teacher. In addition, many teachers send reading assessment reports home for parents to review.

Not all five-year-olds read at the same level. Again, some five-year-olds might attend preschool and are emerging readers. Others attend kindergarten and have a precocious reading ability. Talk to educators about the expected reading benchmarks throughout the school year to determine if a child is falling behind.

Books for 5-Year-Olds to Read: What are the Best Choices?

Every child has a unique personality and interests. The best books for a five-year-old are titles, characters, and authors that appeal to them. Young children love storytime with parents; let children choose books for parents to read to them

As parents read aloud, they can ask children questions about the story. See if the child can predict what happens next in the story. Talk about the characters, too. 

Parents can choose books at a child’s reading level and encourage them to sound out the words. It’s ok if children make mistakes; help them learn the sounds of letters and blends. At the end of the book, ask them if they liked it. Can they explain why or why not?

Books for 5-Year-Olds to Read Themselves

Not all five-year-olds are ready to read books independently. Children who are learning to read can practice reading aloud to parents or by themselves. Help children choose books that are at their reading level (or a level below). When browsing the library, books in the children’s section should include a reading level. If parents have questions about books that are most appropriate for their child, they can ask the librarian.

Remember to step back and give children the power of book choice. This is how a child learns to develop their reading interests.  

First Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

Children who are emerging readers need to start with very basic books. These books are labeled for early or emerging readers. Some books also include basic levels like 1, 2, or 3. Parents should look for books with very basic text that is easy for their child to learn to decode. 

Books by Dr. Seuss are popular for early readers. These books include simple words, rhyming patterns, and a fun cadence. The characters also are iconic; parents probably love reading Seuss as much as their children!

The best books for early readers should feature colorful pictures. The illustrations help break up the text so the book doesn’t feel too overwhelming. Try not to let children use the imagery to guess words, though. This can cause issues with learning to properly decode.

Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

Beginning Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds

Believe it or not, some five-year-olds read chapter books. These readers might exhibit a precocious ability that can pose a challenge for parents. What are the best beginning reading books for 5-year-olds that include chapters?

For kindergarteners ready to delve into chapter books, look for books with short chapters and text that isn’t too small. There are many chapter books designed for younger readers, and parents might need to let children explore their options and find the books that interest them.

Make sure that the maturity level of the child aligns with the maturity level of the book. While some children can read text far beyond their years, they might not be ready to read it. Parents can use their judgment to determine the best books for their child.

The Best Book Library in an App

Children who like to read ebooks via a tablet or ebook reader might enjoy using an app filled with these virtual books. Some apps are designed to help children improve their reading proficiency, too.

Readability is a reading app that can be used by children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The program helps children who need enrichment with reading fluency and/or reading comprehension skills. However, parents also can use this app to encourage their child to read regularly–especially if their child likes to read ebooks.

Children start the Readability program one level below their current reading level ; this helps them build confidence as they use the app. Readability includes a Stars and Badges rewards system; as the child completes reading tasks, they earn stars that can unlock badges.

At each reading level, children access a library of books. They read these books aloud; as they read, a built-in AI tutor provides help. The tutor is programmed to recognize each child’s voice, and it intuitively understands if a child struggles to read a word. The tutor also assesses the child’s reading fluency (measured in words read per minute) and reading comprehension (via an end-of-book reading quiz).

Readability also includes a unique feature that lets younger users listen to Readability books. Storytime can be used anywhere; children will enjoy hearing their favorite stories read aloud.

Every Readability reading level includes a library featuring fiction and nonfiction titles. Books are designed to appeal to the child’s age to ensure that older children with reading struggles have access to books that interest them. 

Parents can explore the Readability app with their child. Sign up today for a free seven-day trial period and let children explore a library of ebooks, enjoy Storytime, and work with the AI tutor.

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25 Best Educational Games for 5 Year Olds That are SO FUN!

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1. SplashLearn’s Online Educational Games for 5 Year Olds 

2. the rubik’s cube , 3. sequence cards, 4. tic-tac-toe , 5. knock the can, 6. alphabet bingo , engaging and easy board games, 7. chutes and ladders , 8. candy land, 9. scrabble jr. , 10. feed the woozle .

Parents of 5 year olds know that this age is a critical time in their child’s development, and finding the right way to help them learn can be challenging. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun learning games for 5 year olds that can make the process enjoyable for both parents and children.

Whether you’re looking for ways to teach your child the alphabet or basic math concepts, there are plenty of options. So, let’s get the ball rolling with our list of the best games for 5 year olds!

Looking for more online Math games and ELA games to educate and engage your kids? Here are more games to check out!

List of the Best Educational Games for 5 Year Olds!

Young child playing with wooden toys

With so many different games on the market, we’ve divided our list into categories to make it easier for you to find the perfect game for your child.

Learning Games That Kids Will Definitely Enjoy!

First on our list are classic learning games for 5 year olds that have been around for years. These time-tested games are perfect for helping your child learn the basics, including the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors.

Skill Development: Math and reading

Price: Free for teachers and a 7-day free trial for parents. Subscription starts at $4.99 per month

You can find various learning games for 5 year olds online. SplashLearn is a website that offers over 4,000 educational games for kids in grades prekindergarten to grade 5. The games teach children essential math, reading, and spelling concepts. And best of all, they’re fun and engaging.

One of the great things about SplashLearn is that the learning program creates a daily personalized learning plan for your child. This plan will ensure that your child is always working on the concepts they need to learn and they’re able to do so independently.

SplashLearn: Most Comprehensive Learning Program for PreK-5

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SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.

Skill Development: Helps with cognitive development, motor skills and problem solving

What you need: Rubik’s cube

Not only is the Rubik’s Cube a classic game that’s perfect for helping your child learn about colors and patterns, but it’s also a great way to develop their problem-solving skills. You can help your child get started by teaching them how to solve the first layer of the cube. Once they’ve mastered that, they can move on to solving the entire cube.

Tip: Many online tutorials and how-to videos are available to help your child learn how to solve the Rubik’s Cube.

Skill Development: This game helps with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It’s also a great way to teach your child how to count. 

What you need: A deck of cards

Sequence cards is a classic card game that is perfect for helping your child learn about numbers and patterns. The game aims to lay down cards in numerical order, from 1–10. Not only will they be having fun, but they’ll be learning essential math skills too!

Tip: Make sure to start with an easy level before moving on to the more difficult ones.

Skill Development: This game is a lot of fun and also a great way to teach your child about numbers and strategic thinking.

What you need: A piece of paper and a pencil.

This game is a classic for a reason—it’s easy to learn, and it’s a lot of fun! Draw a grid with nine squares, and label each square with a number from one to nine. Players take turns drawing Xs and Os in the squares, trying to get three in a row. The first player to do so wins the game!

Skill Development: It is a great way to teach your child about aiming and hand-eye coordination. It’s also a lot of fun! 

What you need: An empty can and a softball.

This is a classic outdoor game for active kids. Players take turns throwing the ball at the can, trying to knock it over. The first player to do so wins the game! Your child will love spending time outdoors while playing this game.

Tip: Set up the can at different distances to make the game more challenging.

Skill Development: This game helps with letter recognition and letter sounds.  

One of the most basic games you can play with your child is Alphabet Bingo. Write out the alphabet on each piece of paper, leaving a few spaces blank. The player then draws a letter from a bag or hat and fills the blank space. The first player to fill in all of their spaces wins the game!

What you need: A piece of paper for each player and a pen or pencil.

Tip: You can make the game more challenging by having the player fill in the spaces with words that start with the drawn letter.

Board games for children are a great way to teach them about different concepts. They’re also a lot of fun! Here are a few of our favorites:

Parents playing board game with kids sitting on floor

The game’s objective is to be the first player to finish by climbing up ladders and avoiding slides (chutes). This is a perfect math game for younger kids, as it doesn’t require any reading. It’s a great way to spend some quality time with your child while they learn important skills.

Skill Development: This classic game is a great way to teach your child about numbers and counting. 

What you need: Chutes and Ladders board, dice, and different colored counters

Tip: Use dice with pictures instead of numbers to make the game more accessible for younger kids.

Candy Land is a classic board game for children. The game is simple—players move their pieces around the board according to the colors of candies they draw from a deck of cards. It is a fun, easy game that young children will enjoy.

Skill Development: It is perfect for 5 year olds, as it helps to develop counting and color recognition skills.

What you need: Candy Land board game

Scrabble Jr. is a great way to introduce your child to spelling and vocabulary. The game is played with two to four players. Players take turns making words with the letter tiles they have been dealt. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins! You can even help them by teaching them the definitions of words they don’t know.

Skill Development: This game is perfect for helping your child expand their vocabulary and learn new words. 

What you need: Scrabble Jr. board game

Tip: Use smaller words and simpler rules when playing with younger children.

This game is about matching shapes and colors. The aim is to get the Woozle fed by matching the right colored food to his mouth. This is an extremely fun game for 5 year olds as it is both fun and educational. Your child will love playing this game, and you’ll love watching them learn!

Skill Development: It’s a great way to help your child learn about shapes and colors and develop their fine motor skills.

11. Guess Who?

Guess Who? is a classic board game that has been around for years. The game’s objective is to be the first player to guess which character their opponent has selected.

To play, each player chooses a card with a character on it. They then take turns asking yes or no questions about the other player’s character, such as “Do they have blue eyes?” The first player to guess correctly wins the game!

What you need: All you need is the game board pack of Guess Who?

Skill Development: It’s a great way to help your child learn about facial features and matching.  

12. Katamino 

A puzzle game that helps kids with spatial awareness. With eighty different challenges to solve, it’s a great way to keep little ones engaged and learning.

You can also play the game with multiple players, making it a great option to spend more quality time with your child.

Skill Development: Katamino is perfect for kids starting to get a handle on shapes and geometry

What you need: Katamino puzzle set

Exhausting Physical Games for Kids

Along with the indoor games, there are a lot of outdoor games for children they can play to have some physical activity in their daily routine. Here are some popular and fun games for 5 year olds.

Kids playing game with hula hoops in a field

13. Hula Hoop 

Hula hooping is not only a great workout but also a lot of fun! It’s the perfect game for 5 year olds to play to use up some of their boundless energy. Your kid can practice hula hooping in the backyard, at the park, or even indoors if you have enough space. With some practice, your kid will be a pro in no time!

Skill Development: This physical activity can also help improve coordination.

What you need: One or more Hula Hoops, and you’re good to go!

14. Scavenger Hunt 

A scavenger hunt is a great way to get kids moving and exploring. To play, hide different items around your backyard or house. Then, give your child a list of items they need to find. Once they find all the items on the list, they win the game! Depending on your child’s age and ability, you can make the game as easy or as difficult as you like.

Skill Development: It’s also a perfect opportunity to teach them about nature and the world around them.

What you need: Some items that can be hidden as treasures and some sheets do draw maps or write clues for the hunters.

15. Don’t Let the Balloon Touch the Ground 

All you need is a balloon and an outdoor space. The game’s objective is to keep the balloon from touching the ground. Players can use their hands, feet, or other body parts to keep the balloon aloft. If the balloon touches the ground, the player who last touched it is out! The last player standing wins the game.

Skill Development: This game is great for coordination and gross motor skills.

What you need: A balloon, that’s it!

16. Hide and Seek

Hide and seek is a classic game that children can play anywhere. It’s a great way to get kids moving and exploring their environment. 

Your child can play hide and seek with you, another adult, or even older kids. If you’re playing with younger children, be sure to provide them with some good hiding spots!

Skill Development: It’s the perfect opportunity to teach them about blending with environments and how to use their senses.

What you need: An enclosed area indoors or outdoors, like a small field or in a hall where players can hide

17. Bean Bag Toss 

A bean bag toss is a great game to engage children in physical activity. To play, have your child stand a few feet away from the target and try to toss the bean bag inside. If they succeed, move the target further away. 

If they miss, move the target closer. You can also make the game more challenging by having them toss the bean bag with their eyes closed or from a sitting position.

Skill Development: It is a great way to get kids moving and improve their coordination.

What you need: A bean bag and a target. You can make your target by drawing a circle on a piece of cardboard or using a hula hoop.

18. Ring Toss

Ring toss is a classic carnival game that children can play at home with a few simple supplies. Set up the target can in the middle of the room, and let your child take turns tossing the rings from a few feet away. 

As they get better at releasing the rings, move the target further away. Your 5 year old will love the challenge of getting all the rings on the target.

Skill Development: This game will help improve hand-eye coordination.

What you need: You only need a few small objects for rings and something to use as a “target”—like an empty soda can. 

19. Freeze Dance! 

Turn up the music and get moving! This is a great game to get kids up and active. When the music stops, everyone has to freeze in place. The last person to freeze is out of the game. To make it more challenging, ask kids to make different moves when the music is playing—like hopping on one foot or touching toes.

It would be best if you also tried different genres of music to keep the game interesting. Your child will love busting a move to their favorite songs!

Skill Development: This will enhance their improve their attention to detail as well as their body movement skills.

What you need: Speakers and some free space for the kids to dance.

Indoor Games For Kids to Stimulate Their Brain

Not everyone has access to an outdoor space, but that doesn’t mean your child can’t be active. There are plenty of games for 5 year olds that can be played indoors!

20. Tangram 

Tangram is a Chinese puzzle game that people of all ages can play. The game’s objective is to create different shapes using all seven pieces. 

You can help your child get started by showing them how to make basic shapes, like a square or triangle. They can try to make more complex shapes as they get better at the game.

Skill Development: This game is great for problem-solving and spatial awareness.

What you need: The Tangram puzzle set

21. Balloon Volleyball 

Set up a net in your living room or basement and play a game of indoor volleyball! To keep the game fair, you can have one person on each team hit the balloon three times before it goes over the net. The first team to reach 21 points wins the game!

Skill Development: This is a great way to get kids moving and improve their hand-eye coordination.

What you need: A balloon instead of a volleyball and if you don’t have a net you can use a rope or a laundry basket.

22. Cup Stacking

Cup stacking is an easy game and all you need is a set of plastic cups and some patience!

To play, have your child stack the cups into towers of different heights. As they get better at the game, they can try to stack the cups faster or in more complex patterns. 

Skill Development: Cup Stacking is a great way to improve your child’s hand-eye coordination and improve motor skills.

Tip: You can also turn cup stacking into a race by timing how fast your child can stack and unstack the cups.

What you need: Just a bunch of cups!

23. Dots and Boxes 

Dots and Boxes is a simple game that kids can play with a pencil and paper. The goal of the game is to create as many squares as possible by connecting the dots. 

However, one player can only make one line per move. To make the game more challenging, you can increase the grid size or have your child play with more than one person.

Skill Development: This game is great for honing problem-solving and planning skills.

What you need: A pencil or pen and a sheet of paper.

24. Frozen Words

Simply write down a bunch of words on slips of paper, and put them in a container. Then have your child draw a slip of paper out of the container and try to guess the word from the definition you give. If they guess correctly, they get to keep the word. The person with the most words at the end of the game wins!

Skill Development: This is an excellent game for teaching kids vocabulary. 

What you need: Some small chits of paper to write the words and a big sheet of paper or board for the kids to draw on.

25. Who’s the Baby? 

This game is a great way to introduce fundamental concepts like family and relationships. Players take turns asking questions about the baby in the picture, and the player who correctly guesses the baby’s identity wins the game.

Objectives:

  • To learn about family and relationships
  • To practice identifying people in pictures

Skill Development: This game will help your child practice their memory and observation skills.

What you need: Lots of photos of family and friends.

Let’s Make Learning Fun!

Young child playing with gardening tools in garden

Learning should be enjoyable for both you and your child. By incorporating games into your child’s learning, you can help them retain information while having fun! Try out some of these games the next time you’re looking for a learning activity. Your child is sure to love them! So get out there and make learning fun for your kids!

What are some benefits of playing games for 5 year olds?

Playing games has many benefits, including improved problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. Games can also help to introduce new concepts and vocabulary words. Educational games for 5 year olds can also prepare them for the skills they’ll learn in school.

What should I do if my child isn’t interested in educational games?

Don’t worry! Not every child is interested in games, and that’s okay. There are plenty of other ways to help your child learn. Try reading books together, doing puzzles, or even just talking about the things that interest them. As long as you’re spending time together and engaging with your child, they’ll be learning!

How can I tell if my child is ready for some of these games?

The best way to know if your child is ready for a particular game is to try it out and see how they do. If they seem to be struggling, that’s okay! Just try an easier game or one that’s more tailored to their interests. With time and practice, they’ll be playing more complex games in no time!

Do I need to buy anything special to play these games?

No, you don’t need to buy anything special. There are various free games for 5 year olds to enhance their learning. Many of the games on this list can be played with items that you already have around the house!

Are there any games for kids that can be played quickly?

There is no need to worry if you don’t have much time to spend on these games. Just a few minutes here and there can make a big difference. If you’re short on time, try incorporating learning into everyday activities like cooking or cleaning. Add games to your weekly or monthly schedule since every little bit helps!

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20 AVID Activities for Middle School

The pfi roller coaster, educating sex offenders: a school’s duty, 20 fun hand-tracing activities for kids, learning and teaching update, primary assembly: down’s syndrome awareness, how to become a google certified educator, 22 fun activities to create stunning thanksgiving placemats, 15 worthwhile entrepreneurial activities for students, cpd: a breakdown, 25 engaging activities for 5-year-olds.

reading activities for 5 year olds

Introduction

Keeping a 5-year-old engaged and entertained can be challenging, as their energy levels seem never-ending. In this article, we will explore 25 creative and engaging activities that are perfect for keeping your little one busy and happy while also promoting their development.

1. Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt with items found around your home or neighborhood. Make a list of things for your child to find and let the adventure begin.

2. Puzzle Time: Puzzles are fantastic for developing problem-solving skills. Choose age-appropriate puzzles and make it a fun bonding experience.

3. Storytelling: Encourage your child to create their own stories using their imagination, perhaps even putting on a mini-play with costumes and props.

4. Playdough Creations: Provide non-toxic playdough to create sculptures and shapes, boosting their fine motor skills.

5. Painting: Get creative with non-toxic watercolor or finger paints for an entertaining, sensory experience.

6. Baking Together: Teach them simple baking recipes like cookies or muffins while working on their math and measuring skills.

7. Obstacle Course: Set up an indoor or outdoor obstacle course to improve physical coordination and gross motor skills.

8. Board Games: Age-appropriate board games promote critical thinking, cooperation, patience, and social skills.

9. Science Experiments: Easy, safe experiments stimulate curiosity and provide hands-on learning opportunities.

10. Gardening: Planting seeds or tending an existing garden is an immersive way to teach young kids about nature and responsibility.

11. Dress-up Play: Encourage imaginative play with costumes, time-travel adventures, or career role-playing.

12.Charades: Act out various scenarios to improve communication skills while having fun with the family as a team activity.

13.Memory Game: Strengthen memory with age-appropriate card games or create your own with family photos.

14.Origami: Teach simple origami techniques to improve concentration, patience, and fine motor skills.

15.Dancing: Put on some music and have spontaneous dance parties to promote physical activity and self-expression.

16.Puppetry: Make puppets from socks or paper bags and host a puppet show– great for creativity and storytelling.

17.Hide-and-Seek: Play hide-and-seek indoors or outdoors for a classic bonding experience that boosts problem-solving abilities.

18.Sensory Bins: Fill bins with various age-appropriate materials (rice, beans, pasta, etc.) for a sensory exploration.

19.Balloon Tennis: Set up balloon tennis with flyswatters or noodles in an open space to build hand-eye coordination.

20.Legos and Building Blocks: Develop spatial awareness, creativity, and engineering skills with building blocks.

21.Yoga for Kids: Practice child-friendly poses that help build concentration, flexibility, and body-awareness.

22.Alphabet and Number Games: Interactive games that reinforce foundational reading and math skills through play (e.g., letter or number bingo.)

23.Crafts Projects: Get inspired with age-appropriate crafting activities like beading, friendship bracelets, or popsicle-stick projects.

24.Treasure Hunt: Set up a numeric treasure hunt that combines math skills and fun exploration in your home or yard.

25. Nature Walks: Guided walks around the neighborhood or local park encourage a love for nature while providing valuable lessons on birds, animals, plants, insects, and more.

These 25 engaging activities provide limitless entertainment for 5-year-olds while promoting crucial cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development milestones. Remember always to enjoy quality time spent together exploring the world around you.

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A Brief Overview of Constructive Play

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  • Recognizing letter names and sounds
  • Recognizing lowercase and uppercase letters
  • Identifying vowels and consonants
  • Tracing letters and numbers
  • Understanding that written words are separated by spaces
  • Putting the letters of the alphabet in order
  • Matching letter sounds to beginning word sounds
  • Counting syllables
  • Reading common high-frequency sight words
  • Recognizing rhyming words
  • Recognizing consonant digraphs and blends
  • Spelling common words
  • Engaging in wordplay
  • Understanding and contributing to a short narrative
  • Identifying the basic parts of a storybook (front cover, title page, title, author, illustrator, back cover)
  • Identifying the main character and basic plot of a story
  • Answering questions about the key details of a story
  • Talking about likes, dislikes, and favorites
  • Creating and illustrating a story
  • Counting to 10
  • Counting to 100
  • Adding up to 10
  • Subtracting up to 10
  • Counting by base-10 blocks
  • Skip-counting by 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s, and 10s up to 100
  • Recognizing written numbers from one to ten
  • Answering the question "How many?"
  • Sorting by number
  • Ordering by number
  • Tracing numbers
  • Sorting and organizing coins and bills
  • Recognizing shapes and patterns
  • Recognizing number bonds
  • Solving "more" and "less" word problems
  • Comparing numbers using greater than, less than, and equal to symbols
  • Comparing the length of two objects
  • Comparing the size of two objects
  • Completing a pattern
  • Estimating numbers
  • Completing a number grid
  • Recognizing the numbers on a set of dice
  • Recognizing shapes
  • Identifying shapes
  • Counting the number of sides and corners a shape hass
  • Painting and coloring
  • Illustrating a story
  • Identifying musical instruments
  • Expressing themselves through art and design
  • Recognizing and naming colors
  • Identifying the five senses
  • Naming and ordering the seasons
  • Naming and ordering the months of the year
  • Identifying food groups
  • Sorting money
  • Picking the right clothes for the weather
  • Identifying technological tools
  • Using a mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen
  • Using a keyboard

For a full list of aligned Common Core standards, visit our Common Core page:

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The All-Time Best Book Series for 5-Year-Olds

These relatable storylines will help your kindergartener enjoy reading even more..

From picture books to early chapter books , there are many wonderful options to fill your 5-year-old’s bookshelf. At this age, your child has started kindergarten and is learning how to read, while sharpening skills like recognizing letters of the alphabet and identifying sight words .  

Book series, in particular, are a great way to get your child excited about exploring new topics and interests through books. The ongoing storylines and familiar characters will help them create a deeper connection to the text and teach them how to relate those fictional experiences to real life.

Check out some of these beloved book series for 5-year-olds!

Diary of a Pug : Baron von Bubbles, aka Bub, is the self-proclaimed cutest pug on the planet! He’s very particular about his likes and dislikes, and when things go awry for Bub, hilarity always ensues in this loveable Branches series. 

Princess Truly : Packed with full-color artwork, charming rhymes, and sweet stories, this series is a celebration of individuality, empowerment, self-esteem, and confidence. Alonside Princess Truly's magical adventures, young readers will be inspired to dream big and achieve anything they put their mind to. Explore more great  Acorn series  for beginning readers.

There Was an Old Lady : Readers will delight in the silly Old Lady's hilarious feats and unusual snacks! Featuring fun word play, sing-song prose, and rhyme and repetition, this book series will help reinforce foundational reading skills, such as  phonemic awarness .

Pete the Cat : Filled with rockin’ rhymes and funky illustrations, this book series follows Pete, the coolest blue cat, who finds himself in fun situations. From  losing the four groovy buttons on his shirt to throwing the ultimate pizza party , Pete’s laid-back attitude and positivity will teach your child a thing or two about finding happiness .

Pig the Pug : Your 5-year-old will love following the mischief and mayhem of Aaron Blabey's hilarious pug protagonist. The irresistbly quirky illustrations are paired with relatable lessons about  kindness ,  honesty ,  friendship ,  sharing , and more! 

Fly Guy : Whether your child loves nonfiction or fiction, the fun adventures of Fly Guy and his human, Buzz, will have your kid devouring every page. This series teaches your child interesting facts, like what makes up the solar system or different breeds of dogs – while showcasing fascinating photos to help your little reader visualize. 

How Do Dinosaurs : This book series is perfect for kindergartners who want to learn how to interact and play like a big kid. Your child will learn how to show  good manners , share their toys with friends , clean their rooms , and much more. 

Owl Diaries : Readers will love following the adventures of Eva, a sweet owl who lives in the city of Treetopolis. Whether Eva is learning to take care of a new pet or having fun at the beach , your child will relate to this kind character as she shares her life through her very own diaries. 

Shop more of the best series for 5-year-olds below! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store . (Explore more  children's books by age  to build your home library!)

For more quick tips and book recommendations, sign up for our Scholastic Parents newsletter!

You'll also get 10% off your first order at the Scholastic Store Online.

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  1. At-Home Reading Activities for 5-Year-Olds

    When you read, show your child how you "track" the words on the page by using your finger to point to each word left to right that you read. Read a variety of types of books including nonfiction, fiction, comics, and poetry. Let your child pick the books since choice makes everything more interesting to kids.

  2. Reading Games

    Reading Games | PBS KIDS Parents new show Creative problem-solving is fun with "Lyla in the Loop," a new show for kids ages 4-8. Creative problem-solving is fun with "Lyla in the Loop," a new show for kids ages 4-8. Learn More Reading Games More Games Molly of Denali Fish Camp

  3. How to Make Reading Fun: 25 Ideas Kids Will Love

    With older kids, try a book club. Book clubs should be fun, not "highbrow." Our mother-daughter book club giggled uncontrollably when we extended the book discussions with questions like, "When have you lied and not gotten caught?" Hilarious confessions erupted. Keep book characters "alive."

  4. 25 Activities for Reading and Writing Fun

    Activity 1: Books and babies Babies love to listen to the human voice. What better way than through reading! What you'll need: Some books written especially for babies (books made of cardboard or cloth with flaps to lift and holes to peek through). What to do: Start out by singing lullabies and folk songs to your baby.

  5. 5-Year-Olds

    Reading Readiness Milestones for 5-Year-Olds Motor Skills Writes name from memory - all letters written correctly most of the time and in correct order. Draws shapes and simple pictures - can draw more shapes from memory and create simple recognizable pictures, such as a person, house or sun.

  6. 23 Fun Reading Games for Kids

    Bingo (Ages 5+) Bingo games give kids a fun way to practice reading a variety of words, from easy to difficult. Sight Word Bingo Magic E Bingo Rhyming Bingo Go Fish (Ages 5+) Make your own Go Fish game using sight words or vocabulary words. Create pairs or groups of four. Word Search (Ages 5+)

  7. 27 Fun Reading Activities To Try At Home or In The Classroom

    1. Find the secret word Great for: Kindergarten to 2nd grade Turn a reading lesson into a scavenger hunt! Give each student or pair of students a piece of text, then speak the first secret word. Once they find it, have them circle it in a specific color, or circle and number, then report back to you for word #2.

  8. Engaging Reading Activities for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners

    Ages 3-5 Somewhere between their infant years and first day of school, your child learns the fundamentals of language. They do this by first identifying the sounds that words make (called phonemic awareness) and then corresponding letters these sounds represent (phonological awareness, or phonics).

  9. Raise a Reader: A Parent Guide to Reading for Ages 3-5

    The years between ages 3 and 5 are critical to reading growth, and some 5-year-olds are already in kindergarten. The best way to instill a love for and interest in reading is to simply read to your child.And yet, many parents don't.

  10. Fun learning activities for 5-year-olds

    1. Rhyming games Listen to and join in with rhyming stories, like Julia Donaldson's The Gruffalo. Play rhyming games, or sing an action rhyme. Make silly rhyming jokes. For example: What do you call a smelly elephant? A smellyphant! What do you call an elephant watching TV? A tellyphant! 2. Phonic games Play snap or bingo with letters and sounds.

  11. Reading: Age 4-5 (Reception)

    Activity: Jack and the Beanstalk Practise graphemes and phonemes. Activity: Billy Goats Gruff Practise word endings. Free eBook Library Find a huge selection of free eBooks to encourage your child to read and support their reading journey in our library. Take a look > Reading books for age 4-5 Browse more books for age 4-5 Book

  12. Teach Your Monster: Free Phonics, Reading and Mathematics Games

    Teach Your Monster Inspire learning with our magical reading and mathematics games for kids Download on iOSDownload on AndroidPlay now for free Learn to read Play the ground-breaking game that makes learning to read fun Read for pleasure Collect books and go on quests that ignite a love of reading Learn numbers Master early mathematics Learn more

  13. Reading Skills by Age

    Learn how to reinforce pre-reading skills with activities designed to accompany books and tips on how to read aloud to children. Toggle navigation. Home; ... If your child is 3, 4, or 5 years old, take the Preschool Reading Screener. It's free and easy, and offers an instant snapshot of your child's reading readiness, plus a plan for moving ...

  14. 25 Engaging Activities For 5-Year-Olds

    Five-year-olds are eager to learn, help, and do. They are on the go from morning till night, so they need plenty of short activities to keep them entertained. We've compiled a list of 25 engaging activities, so dive right in and remember to have fun! 1. Play With Your Food Kids are always told, "Don't play with your food."

  15. 15 Early Literacy Activities for Kids (Toddlers & Pre-School)

    This can be done in many ways. It can be done finger painting on paper, it can be done making letters out of playdough, or you can set up a plate of sand, and kids can use their hands to practice letters. 5. Listening to stories. Listening to stories is another early literacy activity for pre-schoolers.

  16. Best Books for 5-Year-Olds

    Written by best-selling children's book artists R.L. Stine, creator of the Goosebumps series, and Marc Brown, creator of the Arthur Adventure series, this fun book teaches valuable lessons about friendship, happiness, and positivity. Kids at this age are still learning how to tackle big feelings, like anger and fear.

  17. Free Reading Comprehension Worksheets

    K5 Learning offers free worksheets, flashcards and inexpensive workbooks for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. Become a member to access additional content and skip ads. Free printable Reading Comprehension worksheets for grade 1 to grade 5. These reading worksheets will help kids practice their comprehension skills. Compliments of K5 Learning.

  18. 51 Best Activities for 5 Year Olds for Holistic Development

    Math Worksheets 2. Count By Skipping 1, 2, 3s 3. Solving A Paper Maze 4. Writing Imaginary Letters 5. Let's Make A Story 6. Puzzle-Based Treasure Hunt 7. Journalling The Day & Feelings 8. Time for a Fashion Show 9. Finding the Pairing Word 10. Home Instruments

  19. Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds: Free Apps and the Best Book Choices

    First Reading Books for 5-Year-Olds. Children who are emerging readers need to start with very basic books. These books are labeled for early or emerging readers. Some books also include basic levels like 1, 2, or 3. Parents should look for books with very basic text that is easy for their child to learn to decode.

  20. 25 Best Games for 5 Year Old Kids

    1. SplashLearn's Online Educational Games for 5 Year Olds . Skill Development: Math and reading. Price: Free for teachers and a 7-day free trial for parents. Subscription starts at $4.99 per month. You can find various learning games for 5 year olds online. SplashLearn is a website that offers over 4,000 educational games for kids in grades ...

  21. 25 Engaging Activities For 5-Year-Olds

    22.Alphabet and Number Games: Interactive games that reinforce foundational reading and math skills through play (e.g., letter or number bingo.) 23.Crafts Projects: ... These 25 engaging activities provide limitless entertainment for 5-year-olds while promoting crucial cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development milestones. ...

  22. Kindergarten Learning Games, Ages 5

    Kindergarten Learning Games, Ages 5 - 6 • ABCya! grade GRADE K Educator Info Letters Numbers Holiday Strategy Skill Advertisement | Go Ad-Free! Featured Kindergarten Games Molly's Magic Adventure Grades PRE-K - 2 Math Magician - Color Quest Grades K - 5 NEW! Make a House Grades PRE-K - 2 Lily Pad Pond Grades PRE-K - 2 Same & Different

  23. The All-Time Best Book Series for 5-Year-Olds

    Pig the Pug: Your 5-year-old will love following the mischief and mayhem of Aaron Blabey's hilarious pug protagonist. The irresistbly quirky illustrations are paired with relatable lessons about kindness , honesty , friendship , sharing, and more! Fly Guy: Whether your child loves nonfiction or fiction, the fun adventures of Fly Guy and his ...

  24. Free and Printable Worksheets for 5 Year Olds

    Download, print & watch your kids learn today! Click an activity page below and get all these printable activities pages. These are the collected educational worksheets for 5-year-olds perfect for preschool, and kindergarten. These preschool and kindergarten worksheets help younger kids learn fundamental skills.