🗒️ Spelling lists for kids: weekly practice and spelling tests

Spelling lists for kids make weekly practice simple and stress free. Each activity follows the classic look, say, cover, write, check routine, then finishes with a short spelling test so children can see how much they remember. Choose a Dolch sight-word list, common exception words or a grade-level list, or type in the words your child is learning at school this week. Every activity works online on a phone, tablet or computer, and each one can be printed as a free worksheet for quiet desk time.

🗒️ Grade 3 Spelling Words: Week 1🗒️ Weekly Spelling Lists & Tests · Age 8-10 🗒️ Year 2 Common Exception Words🗒️ Weekly Spelling Lists & Tests · Age 6-8 🗒️ Dolch First Grade Spelling Test🗒️ Weekly Spelling Lists & Tests · Age 6-8 🗒️ Dolch Pre-primer Sight Words: Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check🗒️ Weekly Spelling Lists & Tests · Age 4-5

What these spelling activities are

This page brings together four free spelling lists for kids that follow the method teachers use in classrooms around the world. A child looks carefully at a word, says it aloud, covers it, writes it from memory, and then checks the spelling letter by letter. After a few rounds of practice, a short weekly spelling test shows which words are secure and which ones need another day of work.

Dolch Pre-primer Sight Words - the very first high-frequency words, perfect for beginners.
Dolch First Grade Spelling Test - a step up for children who already read simple sentences.
Year 2 Common Exception Words - tricky words that do not follow the usual phonics rules.
Grade 3 Spelling Words: Week 1 - longer words with suffixes, blends and silent letters.

You can also enter your own list, so the words sent home by the class teacher can be practised in exactly the same friendly way.

Skills children build

Regular spelling practice does much more than help with a Friday test. It strengthens the link between sounds and letters, builds visual memory, and makes writing faster because children stop pausing over common words.

Letter-sound knowledge - hearing a word and choosing the right letter patterns.
Visual memory - holding a word in the mind while writing it.
Handwriting and letter formation on the printed sheets.
Reading fluency - sight words that are spelt well are also read quickly.
Confidence - a short, repeatable routine that children can manage on their own.

Once a list is mastered, carry the words into sentence work with our sentence builder activities so children use the spellings in real writing.

How to play online and how to print

Open any activity and the first word appears on screen. The child looks at it, says it aloud, taps to cover it, types or writes it, then reveals the answer to check. Correct spellings are kept; missed words come round again. At the end, the spelling test gives a simple score with no time pressure and no sign-up.

Prefer paper? Use the print button to get a clean worksheet with ruled columns for look, say, cover, write and check, plus a test box at the bottom. Printed sheets are handy for homework folders, spelling homework books, car journeys and classroom literacy corners. Everything on this page is free to use and free to print, at home or in school.

Ideas by age

Ages 3-5: start with two or three pre-primer sight words a week, such as a, the, go. Say the letter names aloud, build the word with magnetic letters, then write it once. Keep sessions to five minutes and finish with a cheerful review rather than a formal test.

Ages 6-8: a list of eight to ten words works well. Practise on Monday and Tuesday, mix the words into silly sentences midweek, and test on Friday. Common exception words need extra repeats because they cannot be sounded out. Pair this with fill in the blanks exercises to see the words inside sentences.

Ages 9-12: use twelve to fifteen longer words and talk about word families, prefixes and suffixes. Ask children to write a short paragraph using five of their words, then check their own spelling. Older learners enjoy beating their previous score on the test.

Tips for parents and teachers

Short and often beats long and rare. Five to ten minutes on four days works better than one long session.
Say the word in a sentence so the meaning is clear, not just the letters.
Keep a "tricky words" page and bring missed words back next week.
Mix methods - type on screen one day, write on the printed worksheet the next.
Celebrate progress, not perfection. A score of seven out of ten after a week of effort is a real win.
Link spelling to reading. Children meet their words again in our reading comprehension passages, which helps the spellings stick.

Teachers can project an activity for a whole-class warm-up, print copies for a literacy station, or set a list as weekly homework. Because no login is needed, families can pick up the same list at home the same evening.

Frequently asked questions

What is the look, say, cover, write, check method?

It is a five-step spelling routine. The child looks at the word, says it aloud, covers it, writes it from memory and then checks it against the original. The quick check step helps children notice their own mistakes and remember the correct letter pattern.

Are these spelling lists free to use and print?

Yes. Every spelling list, practice activity and test on this page is completely free. You can play online on a phone, tablet or computer, or print the worksheet as many times as you need for home or classroom use. No sign-up is required.

Can I use my child's own school spelling list?

Yes. Along with the ready-made Dolch and grade-level lists, you can enter your own words and practise them with the same look, say, cover, write, check routine and the weekly test. This is ideal for homework words sent by the class teacher.

What are Dolch sight words?

Dolch sight words are common words that appear most often in children's books, such as the, said, come and little. Many cannot be sounded out easily, so children learn to read and spell them by sight through regular, short practice sessions.

What age should children start spelling practice?

Most children are ready around ages four to five, once they know letter sounds and can write some letters. Begin with two or three very short sight words, keep sessions under five minutes, and build up the list length as confidence grows.

How many words should be in a weekly spelling list?

As a guide, three to five words for ages four to five, eight to ten words for ages six to eight, and twelve to fifteen for older children. It is better to master a short list than to half-learn a long one.

What should I do if my child keeps missing the same word?

Keep that word on next week's list. Break it into chunks, point out the tricky letters, and write it in a colourful way. Using the word in a sentence also helps, so try our fill in the blanks and sentence building activities.

Do these activities work on phones and tablets?

Yes. The spelling lists and tests run in any modern browser on phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers, with no app to download. The printed worksheets are designed for standard A4 or letter paper in black and white.