Consonant Digraph Sounds: Hear It, Tap It

🔊 Phonics Sound GameAge 5-6MediumPhonics 🇺🇸 Kindergarten 🇬🇧 Year 1 🇦🇺 Foundation (Prep)🇮🇳 UKG 📐 RF.1.3.A

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Some sounds in English need two letters working together. In words like ship, chair and thumb, the letters sh, ch and th make one brand new sound. These pairs are called consonant digraphs, and they appear in hundreds of everyday words.

In this free phonics sound game, your child listens to a sound and taps the matching letter pair on the screen. There is no reading or writing needed, so even early readers can play on their own. Each round gives gentle feedback, so children can try again and build confidence with sounds they will meet in every storybook.

How to play

Tap the sound button and listen carefully. You can replay the sound as many times as you like.
Look at the letter pairs on the screen and tap the one that makes that sound.
Say a word that starts or ends with the sound, such as ship for sh, to help it stick.
Keep going until all the digraph sounds are matched, then play again for more practice.

This activity helps children move from single letter sounds to letter teams, an important step in learning to read. By matching a spoken sound to the letters sh, ch, th, wh, ph, ck, ng and qu, your child practises listening carefully, holding a sound in memory and linking it to print. These are the same skills used when sounding out and spelling new words. Play for five to ten minutes a day, and encourage your child to hunt for the same digraphs in signs, labels and storybooks at home.

Frequently asked questions

What is a consonant digraph?

A consonant digraph is two consonant letters that together make one sound, such as sh in ship or th in thumb. The two letters do not keep their usual separate sounds, so children need to learn them as a team.

What age is this phonics game suitable for?

It suits children around five to seven years who already know most single letter sounds. Younger children can play with an adult naming the letters aloud, while older children who are still shaky with digraphs will also benefit.

My child mixes up ch and sh. How can I help?

Say both sounds slowly and let your child watch your mouth and feel the air on their hand. Then collect word pairs together, like chair and share, and sort small pictures or objects into two groups.

Do I need headphones or a printout to play?

No printout is needed, as the game plays sounds through your device. Headphones or a quiet room help your child hear each sound clearly, especially the softer ones like th and ph.

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Updated 5 Nov 2026