7 Ways to Make Flash Cards Less Boring!

So, you’ve bought some flashcards to practice words and letters at home. Or your child’s school is sending home lists and binder rings of specific words they want you to practice.

You’re committed to doing something at home, so you try to go through them with your child and it’s excruciating for both of you.

Excruciatingly boring, that is. Plus it takes all of 3 minutes, even though some of the cards definitely aren’t stable. Now what?!

Let’s face it – flashcards are boring!

Showing your child letters or words on a card over and over does little to stoke their excitement for learning.

And honestly, it’s not really that effective unless you intentionally work rapid recognition and know how to engage visual memory and whole-body learning (more on that later).

But practicing with these classic tools doesn’t have to feel stale.

The keys to success are speed, fun, and movement!

You want your home to feel like a stadium of Reading Olympics and you’re cheering on your favorite reading rockstar! 🤩 The vibe is “Woo, the crowd goes wild!” as your child practices what’s on those cards.

You’ve got to bring the action!

So without further ado, here are my TOP 7 ways to make traditional flashcards a lot more fun:

Important note: Use flashcards that have ONLY the letter or word on a blank background. No picture cues! Can’t find ‘em? Grab a Sharpie and index cards and make your own!

Obstacle Course

Have a monkey of a child at home? Put flashcards in places where they have to climb, jump, tuck, and roll to get them. They speed through the course collecting cards and reading words/letters as they go! Then, let them set up a course for you. Or, time them and keep repeating the course until they beat their best time!

Frisbee

Have a kiddo with fantastic aim at home? Read the words then flick the flashcards into a goal (a pillow or bucket in the middle of the floor works great). One point for each card sunk! Or, spread the cards out on the floor and try to land a soft indoor frisbee or bean bag on a specific card. Call it before you toss! Ready, aim, read!

Race Track

Have a child that loves remote control cards or Formula 1 racing? Let them set up a “track” of flashcards, then drive over them reading the sounds/words as they go!

Hopscotch

Got a little bunny at home? Space flashcards out on the floor and have them read as they jump! Bonus points for hopping on one foot! Or if your bunny is a chalk lover, write the letters/words into a sidewalk hopscotch court!

The Floor is Lava

Have a classic kid with a great imagination at home? Spread couch cushions or pillows out on floor, one flashcard on each. Jump and read, but don’t fall in the lava!

Twister

Have a super flexible kid at home? Spread the cards out on the floor or Twister mat and call out moves that have them reaching for specific words/letters until they drop. Then let them twist you up!

Sprint Run

Have an active kid that needs to run their energy out? Clear a space and put half the cards on one side of the room, the other half on the other. Your child runs as fast as they can back and forth, picking up cards and reading letters/ words until they’ve got them all! Think old school PE drills, mini cones encouraged!

Need a few more ideas? Check out my top 3 reading games – play with or without flashcards!

Most importantly, engage your child’s desire to move and have FUN!

Build in repetition by capitalizing on their competitive spirit, or play a few different games in a row. Bonus benefit: I bet your child sleeps really well tonight!

Just remember, if you’re not having fun, they’re probably not either.

So when in doubt, play it out! #playistheway 🤸‍♀️

You’ve got this and I’ve got you!

Xoxo,

7 Ways to Make Flash Cards Less Boring!