Kindergarten Spelling Words (Weekly Lists)
This page has six kindergarten spelling lists of 10 words each: one for every short vowel (a, e, i, o, u) and a review list that mixes them. Every word has three letters and three sounds, like cat, bed and sun. Pick a list, play it with your child, then try a short practice test on the screen or on paper.
Kindergarten spelling lists
6 kindergarten spelling lists
| List | Words | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Short a words | cat, hat, map, bag, man, ran, sad, jam, nap, fan | Play & test |
| Short e words | bed, red, ten, hen, pet, wet, leg, web, yes, men | Play & test |
| Short i words | pig, big, sit, hit, win, lid, dig, six, fix, zip | Play & test |
| Short o words | dog, hot, top, mop, box, fox, log, pot, job, not | Play & test |
| Short u words | bug, cup, sun, run, fun, mud, tub, nut, hug, bus | Play & test |
| Short vowels review | bat, net, kid, hop, cut, pen, lip, rug, van, dot | Play & test |
Print a kindergarten spelling test or worksheet
Why kindergarten spelling starts with three-letter words
At five and six, children are just learning that each sound in a word has a letter. Words like map, pig and hug are the cleanest place to practice that idea: three sounds, three letters, nothing silent and nothing tricky.
The lists go in order: short a, short e, short i, short o, short u, then the review list. Short e and short i sound close, so give those two weeks a little extra time if your child mixes them up. The reading side of the same words lives on our CVC words page.
Sound boxes and tapping for kindergarten spellers
Before writing a word, say it slowly together and count the sounds. Two easy ways to do it:
- Tapping: tap one finger to your thumb for each sound. Sun is three taps: /s/, /u/, /n/.
- Sound boxes: draw three boxes on paper and push a coin or button into a box for each sound, then write a letter in each box.
This turns spelling into listening, which is what kindergarten spelling really is.
Kindergarten invented spelling is normal
A five-year-old who writes kt for cat is doing good work. They heard the first and last sounds and picked a letter that makes the /k/ sound. Teachers often call this invented spelling, and it is a normal step.
Praise what is right first ("You got the /k/ and the /t/!"), then say the word slowly and listen for the middle sound together. Correct spelling comes with time and practice, not with red marks.
A gentle kindergarten spelling week
- Monday: read the list together. Your child reads, you point.
- Tuesday: build the word. Letter tiles plus two decoy letters go into slots, and a wrong letter bounces back.
- Wednesday: find the word among look-alike tiles, then flash cards.
- Thursday: a practice test of five words.
Keep each day to about five minutes. Many kindergarten classrooms also practice kindergarten sight words like the and said, which do not follow the sound rules and belong on a separate list.
Running a kind kindergarten spelling test
Pick five words, not ten. Say the word, use it in a short sentence ("The dog ran home"), then say the word again. Your child can type it in the spelling test on this page or write it on a printed numbered test paper. One-letter slips show as "almost", which is a fair score at this age.
Words are read aloud by your device's built-in voice, when it has one; otherwise a grown-up reads the words from a folded printed list. Typing stays on the device.
Frequently asked questions
What words should kindergarteners know how to spell?
A common goal is simple three-letter words with short vowels, such as cat, pen and dog, plus their own name. Every child gets there at their own pace.
How many kindergarten spelling words a week?
Five is plenty for most five-year-olds. Use all ten only if your child finds the first five easy.
Should my kindergartner type or write the spelling test?
Either works. Typing takes away the struggle with letter shapes, and writing on the printed test paper builds handwriting. Many families switch between the two.
What comes after the kindergarten spelling lists?
Digraphs like sh and ch, then blends. See our 1st grade spelling words for the next steps.
Can I use my child's school kindergarten list instead?
Yes. Paste it into spelling practice for the same games and test, or make sheets with the spelling worksheet generator.