10 Free Phonics Activities You Can Do at Home (That Actually Work)
Parents often ask: "What can I do at home to help my child learn to read?"
The good news is that you don't need expensive programs or a teaching degree. With a few simple, evidence-based activities, you can make a real difference in your child's phonics development.
Here are 10 activities that actually work.
1. 🔊 Sound Hunts
Pick a sound (like /s/) and hunt around the house for objects that start with that sound. Sock, spoon, soap, sink!
Why it works: This builds phonemic awareness—the ability to hear and identify individual sounds in words.
2. 📝 Letter Formation with Texture
Use sand, salt, shaving cream, or playdough to form letters. Say the sound as you make the shape.
Why it works: Multi-sensory learning strengthens the connection between the letter shape and its sound.
3. 🎵 Rhyming Games
Play "I Spy" but with rhymes: "I spy something that rhymes with cat." (mat, hat, bat)
Why it works: Rhyming helps children recognise word patterns and sound endings.
4. 🧩 Sound Blending Practice
Say a word slowly in its individual sounds: "/c/ /a/ /t/". Have your child blend them together to say "cat".
Why it works: Blending is the core skill needed to decode (read) words.
5. ✂️ Word Building with Magnetic Letters
Use fridge magnets or letter tiles to build simple CVC words (cat, dog, sun). Change one letter at a time: cat → hat → ham.
Why it works: This shows children how words are constructed from individual sounds.
6. 📚 Daily Decodable Reading
Read short, decodable texts together where every word can be sounded out. (Tip: PhonicsMaker can generate custom ones!)
Why it works: Practice with controlled texts builds confidence and reinforces phonics skills.
7. 🎤 Segmenting Games
Say a word and have your child "robot talk" it—breaking it into sounds. "What sounds are in 'dog'?" → /d/ /o/ /g/
Why it works: Segmenting (the opposite of blending) is essential for spelling.
8. 🖍️ Label the House
Put sticky notes on objects around the house with their names written on them. Read them together each day.
Why it works: This creates a print-rich environment and connects written words to real objects.
9. 🃏 Sound Matching Games
Make a simple memory game with pairs: one card with a picture (sun), one with the letter (s). Match the picture to its starting sound.
Why it works: Games make repetition fun and reinforce letter-sound relationships.
10. 📖 Shared Reading with Phonics Focus
When reading any book, occasionally pause at simple words and ask, "Can you sound this one out?" Point under each letter as they try.
Why it works: This integrates phonics practice into enjoyable reading time.
The Key Principles
Whatever activity you choose, remember:
- Keep it short: 5-10 minutes is plenty for young children.
- Keep it positive: Praise effort, not just accuracy.
- Be consistent: A little bit every day beats a big session once a week.
- Follow the sounds: Make sure you're saying the pure sounds (/s/ not "suh").
Need More Resources?
If you want to take it further, PhonicsMaker lets you create personalised decodable stories featuring your child's name and interests. It's a great way to make reading practice feel special and engaging.