Bonus Games

Free alphabet and letter games

Short answer: English for Fun has four free games for the alphabet and first reading. Letter Trace lets you trace all 26 letters, capital and small, while each letter name is spoken. Bubble Pop ABC asks you to pop the bubble with the letter you hear. Read It! practices 29 short words grouped by sound. Spell It! builds 30 words letter by letter. All are free with no account.

The alphabet games

Letter Trace

Trace all 26 letters, capital (ABC) and small (abc), with a finger. The letter name is spoken. The game checks that the letter is covered, not the order of the strokes.

Bubble Pop ABC

Hear a letter and pop the bubble that shows it. 18 rounds, from A to Z in groups of three, plus numbers 0 to 20.

Read It!

Read and say 29 short words in five sound groups: a, i, o, u and sh. A microphone is optional; without one, say the word and tap Next.

Spell It!

Look at the picture and tap the letters in order. Each letter name is spoken. 30 words of three or four letters.

A good order to play

  1. Trace letters with Letter Trace and listen to each name.
  2. Pop the letters you hear with Bubble Pop ABC.
  3. Read short words by sound with Read It!.
  4. Spell words with Spell It!.
  5. Write the same letters and words on paper.

What these games do and do not teach

They practice letter shapes, letter names, short sounds and simple words. They are a small first step, not a full phonics course.

Letter Trace does not teach stroke order, so show the strokes first and let the game give the practice. For letters that are easy to mix up, see the b and d guide.

Related

Questions

Can adults use these games?

Yes. Anyone starting the English alphabet can use them. The games do not need any reading in English.

Does Letter Trace need a touch screen?

A finger on a touch screen works best, but a mouse works too.

Is Read It! a phonics program?

No. It is a first step for reading short words by sound. See the phonics guide for how phonics works.