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Games to Play With Letter Cubes

Children can do many things with letter cubes; they can stack them, knock them over and even learn to read using letter cubes. Learning the alphabet is the first step to learning to read and developing an understanding of phonics. Make learning an enjoyable experience and give your preschool child a head start on reading by playing letter cube games.

Crossword Cubes
- Use two or more sets of letter cubes to play a game like a crossword puzzle. Use a completed kindergarten or preschool crossword puzzle for the clues, which you won't show to the child. Draw the shape of the crossword puzzle on the floor or on a sidewalk in chalk. Give the child a clue to help him figure out the word. Have him select the letters that spell out the word and place them in the appropriate squares in the chalk crossword puzzle.
Hide-a-Block
- Hide-a-block is an educational game for preschool children beginning to learn the alphabet. Hide letter cubes around the room, but don't make them too difficult to find. Try to hide letters near objects that begin with that letter. For example, hide the letter "L" behind a lamp and the letter "T" under a table. Instruct your preschooler to find a specific letter. Give clues that can help her find the letters if necessary.
Fast Word Build
- Play a fast-paced word game with children who've learned the alphabet and can spell three-letter words. Make a list of words that your child knows and include a few new ones to help expand his vocabulary. Spell the words using letter cubes and then mix up the letters. Give a the word to spell and say "Go." The object of the game is to spell the words using the letters in the time allowed. Some easy words to use are mom, dad, cat, bat, hat, dog, rat, bee, sun and sky. Time your child for three minutes the first time and decrease the time as words are learned. The next time you play the game, set the time limit to two minutes or one minute. Gradually increase the word list for each game.
Grouping Letters
- Sort the block letters by vowels and consonants. Explain how vowels sound different from consonants. Combine consonants and letter pairs to make sounds, such as "SH," "PR," "CH," "KN" and "TR," and practice the sounds each letter pair makes. Ask your child to select a vowel or two vowels to combine with the letter pairs and one more consonate. For example, he may select the vowels "A" and "I" and the consonant "N" to combine with the letter pairs "TR" to make the word "train." Play a game by taking turns choosing one block. The first child to make a word wins a point.

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