30 Ways to Practice Spelling Without a Pencil

If you’re home is anything like ours, you know that once you ask your kids to get out their spelling books- you’re usually met with a chorus of groans. And spelling is one of those subjects that repetition is key, so daily practice for at least 15-20 minutes is recommended (and it’s what we do too!).

The good news is that spelling practice doesn’t need to look like worksheets and a pencil. For lower elementary kids especially, the hands, the body, and the senses are the best learning tools. When you ditch the pencil, you often get more engagement, better retention, and a lot less complaining (even if you’re just swapping one writing instrument for another).

Here are 30 of our favorite low-prep ideas, organized by what you may have on hand or just whatever your kid may be into.

1. Expo marker on the window: Expo markers work fantastic on windows and you’re also working on vertical fine motor skills. Plus there’s something about writing on windows that feels forbidden to kids and totally draws them in.

2. Paintbrush and water: Paint letters on the driveway or sidewalk and watch them slowly disappear. Make sure you use a dark surface to make the letters show up!

3. Squirt bottle spelling : Take a spray bottle outside and squirt one letter at a time onto the pavement. It may not look neat, and it may be messy but the giggles will make up for it.

4. Bathtub crayons : Spell words on the tub walls during bath time. They wipe right off and again, the forbidden aspect of writing on a tub makes spelling feel way more fun.

5. Mirror writing: After a shower or with a dry erase marker, mirrors turn writing into something a little more playful (just like windows).

6. Sidewalk chalk: Grab some chalk and have kids write their spelling words in JUMBO letters or keep it small! You can also dip chalk in water to make for smoother writing.

7. Chalkboard paint surface: Grab a tray and paint it with some chalkboard paint. Then you have a portable chalk writing tray that you can bring anywhere.

8. Watercolor letter painting: We love watercolors as a medium, so grab some watercolors and have kids write their words using bright colors. Neon watercolors are a fun touch that kids really enjoy.

9. Gel crayon on dark paper: The contrast makes letters pop and feels a little fancy, plus crayons are a fun medium to write with!

10. Cardboard & Crayons: You know all of those amazon boxes we like to throw into the garage? Pull them out and have kids practice spelling on them instead of a notebook!