Reading & Phonics Activities
Fun, simple reading and phonics activities you can dip into anytime to build skills, spark giggles, and grow confident little readers at home.
Rewrite the ending
Invent a new ending for a favourite story and talk about how it changes things. Encourages creativity and deepens comprehension.
Design a bookmark
A creative activity that links reading to making: design a bookmark inspired by a favourite book. Add a favourite word or character to make it personal.
Create a new book cover
Redesign the cover of a favourite book. Talk about characters, setting and title choices as your child creates their own version.
Write a book review
Fill in a short review after finishing a book. Encourage specific opinions and favourite moments — great for reflection and recall.
Uppercase-lowercase match
A simple matching game that links uppercase and lowercase letter shapes while children say each sound aloud. Great for building letter recognition and reinforcing the link between sounds and spellings.
Picture-cover reading
Covering pictures helps children focus on decoding the words first. Reveal the image after reading to build confidence and real understanding.
Tricky-word snap
A fast, fun game to help children recognise tricky words by sight. Play snap, shout the word, and make silly sentences to help it stick.
Word-building magic
A hands-on way to build blending and spelling skills. Change one letter at a time, say each word aloud, and turn phonics into play.
Sound of the day
A simple sound hunt that turns everyday life into a phonics game. Spot one focus sound on signs, packaging, and objects all around you.
The five-minute reading habit
Short, daily reading sessions build confidence fast. Five focused minutes with the right book beats longer, stop-start reading every time.