Add some flavour to your literacy routine with the playful and hands-on Popcorn Words Game! This engaging activity helps students practise reading and spelling focus words in a fun, kinaesthetic way that’s perfect for small groups or literacy rotations.

Check out this video below to see this resource in action.

Just write or print target words on yellow paper, scrunch them up like popcorn, and place them into a tub or popcorn container. Students take turns pulling out a word, reading it, and spelling it correctly to earn a spot on their popcorn game board. It’s simple, effective, and guaranteed to boost word recognition skills!

Popcorn Words Game can be used with sight words, high-frequency words, spelling patterns, or any topic-specific vocabulary. It’s easy to prep, store, and adapt to suit your students’ current learning goals.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Reinforce sight word and spelling word recognition
• ✅ Practise correct spelling through fun repetition
• ✅ Build vocabulary and decoding confidence
• ✅ Strengthen fine motor skills with hands-on components
• ✅ Encourage turn-taking and independent word learning

What’s Included:

• Printable popcorn-themed game board
• Instructions for set-up and play
• Student word recording spaces

Materials Needed:

• Yellow paper (for popcorn words)
• Printed or handwritten words
• Scissors
• Popcorn containers or tubs (optional - available at Big W)
• Whiteboard markers and write and wipe sleeves (for reusable boards)

How to Use:

1. Write or print target words onto yellow paper and cut them into small pieces.
2. Scrunch each piece to resemble a popcorn kernel and place them in a tub.
3. Students take turns drawing one popcorn word at a time and reading it aloud.
4. If they can spell the word correctly, they write it on their game board.
5. If not, the word is returned to the tub and they try again on their next turn.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during literacy rotations for independent or small group practice.
• 💡 Add themed popcorn tubs to your classroom décor for word work centres.
• 💡 Focus on tricky spelling lists or word families needing extra review.
• 💡 Use different coloured paper to differentiate between word sets or levels.

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Laminate the game boards for repeated use across terms.
• 💛 Include a mix of easy and challenging words to support differentiation.
• 💛 Use write-and-wipe sleeves if laminating isn’t an option.
• 💛 Pair the game with a matching word wall so students can double-check spellings.

Popcorn Words Game is a simple yet exciting way to reinforce spelling and word recognition through play. Your students will love popping into their next literacy session with this fun and memorable activity!