Welcome Spring! – Syllable Clapping Games for Kids

Spring is here, and the baby birds are hatching every minute. Too bad some of them tend to fall out of the nest a bit sooner than they should. We’ve got a flock of syllable chicks waiting for your students to help them out!

These chicks are not just here to chirp and sing—they’re also here to help your students practice decoding words!

When you return the birds to their nest, your students will have to clap each word’s syllables and match them to the correct number nest.This is fun for them to practice recognizing the number of syllables in a word and then putting that knowledge into practice by sorting them into their corresponding categories.

Get More out of Our Counting Syllables Activity 

There’s more than one way to use this syllable activity in your classroom! Check out a few ideas for taking this game to the next level.

• Spring Syllable Memory Game
  You can also use this resource as a phonics game for two players; students will shuffle the picture cards and lay them all face down. Each player takes their turn by flipping two cards at a time until either finds two words with the same number of syllables (e.g., bus and clock) and sets the pair aside to keep score.
• See It, Say It, Spell It
  Use the cards to show students how breaking words down into their syllables can help them as they learn to spell. Choose three cards, one for each number of syllables, and project them on your smartboard. Working together as a class, sound out the words a syllable at a time and ask students what letters they hear. Write the words on the board as the students match the sounds to the letters.
• Dividing Words into Syllables for Everyone
  Fast finishers can take this activity further by sorting the picture cards by putting them in alphabetical order. You can also ask them to think of more words they know with 1, 2, or 3 syllables. Ask them to draw pictures of those words, and write the number of syllables each has below the drawing.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print the sorting mats and cards on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all game parts in a folder or large envelope for easy access.

Before You Download

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. An answer key is also included with this download.

This resource was created by Lisamarie Del Valle, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter Collaborator.