PAPER & PENCIL WORD GAMES
for ages l0+
LETTER LADDER
The idea of this game is to take the same three letters and use them to start as many different
words as possible.
 One of the players suggest three letters, which each player writes down at the top of his
sheet of paper. They then have five minutes to think of as many words as possible
beginning with those three letters. For example, with the letters COM, a player might
come up with comedy, come, compare, compass, communicate, comet, comedian.
 Suggested starter letters are: AND BAT CAR DOT ENT FIt GRO HOL INC JUG KNI LAM
MOD MON NON OFF PUM QUI RIJN SIT SAI TRI ULT VIR WEL YEA
 Players score a point for each word no other player has thought of.
Variations:
See how many words each player can make with a one-minute time limit.
For beginners or younger players, use just two starter letters
Take each letter of the alphabet in turn when choosing the three starter letters.
TRIPLET CHALLENGE
In this game players have to think of words that include the same three letters. The three
letters can appear in any order and any number of times in the words, which adds to the
challenge.
 One player chooses any three letters, which each player writes down at the top of his
sheet of paper.
 Within a five-minute time limit, the players have to think of as many words as possible
that include all three of those letters. They can use each letter as many times as they
like, and a point is scored for each word. For example, the letters T O and H can be
used to make the words though, through, thorough, hot, hotel, touch, hoot.
Variations:
Include at least one vowel for an easier game.
Play the game with just two letters.
Set a limit on how short the words can be - for example, no fewer than 4 letters.
LETTER SANDWICH
Players have to think of as many words as they can which begin and end with the same letter.
 Each player has just five minutes to write down as many words "r he can that begin and
end with the same letter. Each player scores a point for every word with a bonus point
for any word that no one else has thought of. Examples: taut, roar, sees, dad, trumpet.
Variations:
Give extra points for long words.
Choose one letter for the beginning and a different letter for the ending of the word.
COLOR CODED
This is a visual tongue twister!
 Write a list of colors, using appropriately colored pencil; for example, use a red pencil
to write the word red, a green pencil to write green. Make a list of E or O color words.
 Now use a different colored pencil to write each color name. For example, use a blue
pencil to write the word red.
 Each player takes a turn reading out the colors, but she must say which color the word
is written in, not the word itself. For example, where yellow is written I red pencil, she
should say red. Other players stop her as soon as she makes a mistake. The winner is the
player who gets the furthest down the list without getting a color wrong.
Variations:
Make the game a speed contest, with players reading through the list faster and faster.
Cut out each of the color names and rearrange them to make a fresh game.
Introduce new colors.
THE BACKWARDS CROSSWORD
 AII of the players are given a grid with the same placement of randomly chosen letters.
 A grid with 12 spaces across and 18 spaces down is a good size to try.
 A certain amount of time is allotted for the players to develop a crossword diagram
from the letters given (20 minutes is a reasonable period of time).
 The winner is the person who manages to interweave the most words.
 Once the grids are filled in, the players exchange papers. Each player writes clues for
the crossword they received in the exchange.
Variations:
The completed grids can also be made into word searches by listing the words formed,
then filling in blank spots in the g:id with random letters.
Decide on a theme for the words, such as food or places.
WORD GYMNASTICS
You will need a dictionary or thesaurus for this game.
 Find some simple, interesting sentences in a magazine or book, or make them up.
 Players use the dictionary/thesaurus to rewrite the selection using as many loftysounding replacements as possible. Take turns reading the sentences aloud. Example:
The dog dug up his old bone from the yard, then brought it into the house for everyone
to see might become The canine excavated his superannuated skeletal structure from
the outdoor living area, then transported it into the domicile for one and all to behold.
Variation:
For a longer game, use the first paragraph of a newspaper article or book.
WORD RACERS
Players hide words and then try to find other's hidden words.
 Each player is given a I2X12 grid.
 Each player decides on his own secret subject, then chooses l0 words based on that
 subject (animals, flavors of ice cream, places to visit).
 The player then writes each of his words in connecting boxes, one letter in each box.
 The words can go up, down, backward, forward or diagonally.
 In all the blank spaces, write random letters so the original words are lost in a word
puzzle.
 Trade puzzles and see who can find alt the hidden words and guess the subject first.
Variation:
When the puzzle is given to another player, give a hint about the subject of the puzzle.
Instead of a topic, use l0 words that all begin with the same letter.