When it comes to spelling words, most kids dread having to practice them each day. But practicing those spelling words doesn’t have to be boring.
Avoid the eye-rolling and heavy sighing as they write spelling words over and over. Water beads make practicing those spelling words fun, and there are added benefits to those slippery beads, too!
To prepare this fun spelling word practice, I gathered the letter tiles necessary to form each of the words on the list. (I used the letter tiles from our Bananagrams
I scattered the letters on the bottom of a baking pan, flipping some upside down and leaving some facing up. And then I covered them with water beads
Both of my students had fun digging through the water beads, finding the letters necessary to form the words on their spelling list.
Remember when I said that practicing spelling with water beads had added benefits?
While they are digging through those colorful, squishy beads they are getting tons of sensory input.
Picking up those letter tiles buried beneath those slippery gems adds in some fine motor practice.
Have a child that gets anxious when it comes to spelling quizzes/having to memorize the spelling? Water beads can be very calming.
Making spelling word practice fun, and having added benefits? I call that a win. (But I especially like not hearing those big sighs when I ask my 7 year-old to practice those spelling words once again.)
More fun learning activities to try at home:
- Spelling Practice with Kinetic Sand Castles
- Spelling in Snow
- 15 Ways to Practice Sight Words at Home
- Simple Way to Keep Them Entertained and Learning at the Grocery Store
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Emma says
Tonight i’m online looking for playful spelling practice for my 1st grader and I came across this one at the Thoughtful Spot – talk about great timing! My daughter already loves water beads so I have a feeling this one will be a hit! Thanks for the idea!
OneMommy says
Yeah! 🙂
I’m sure she will love it. I have been trying to include at least one way to practice our spelling words each week that incorporates sensory play, too. So far it’s been a big hit with both of mine.
maryanne @ mama smiles says
What a fun way to practice spelling words!
OneMommy says
Thank you. I am trying to incorporate more sensory-related activities in our spelling practice and it seems to be working!
Deanna @ Play Dough & Popsicles says
This is awesome!!! We haven’t used water beads yet. I have seen some fabulous activities with them but I haven’t gotten any yet. This is awesome! It would be fun in a different way for younger kids too. I love it!
Heather H says
This looks like a lot of fun, especially for sensory seekers and tactile learners! Thanks for sharing it with #made4kids !
OneMommy says
I know it was a big hit with my sensory seeker! 🙂
Renee says
those water beads are so fun!!! i have a 2 year old, and i definitely liked them more than she did 🙂 but i think she didn’t know what to do with them. she’d LOVE digging to find certain letters to match up. great idea! thanks for sharing 🙂
OneMommy says
With a 2 year-old, she could hunt for certain letters, or even some of her favorite toys! 🙂
Susan says
What a fun activity and amazing learning activity. Congrats, you’re featured this week at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party.