Playing word associated games helps young children learn how to read and spell. For older children, it reinforces what they are learning in school and associates words, language and reading with fun activities. In the end, this creates a love of language.

1. Scrabble

Several versions. Usually 2 sided board game - one for younger children where you match words on the board, the other for older children where you create words with the tiles similar to the adult version. Classic children's game.

2. Boggle

Different versions of this game- also Junior or regular. However, generally this is how it plays: 16 cubes with letters on them are shaken up. You have 3 minutes to come up with as many words as you can. Scoring on a pad determines winner. Classic game.

3. Apples to Apples Jr.

This is a funny comparison game and it is a huge hit with kids.

4. Hangman

You create a word and an opponent guesses letters trying to figure out the word you have chosen. They must try to guess the word before they are 'hung.' Classic children's game.

5. Taboo Junior

Use clues to help your team uncover the most words.

***Outburst Junior is a similar game- Children love this one.

6. Silly Sentences

Fun puzzle word game. Nice thing about this game is that all the puzzle pieces are color coded and cut so that the sentences need to be aligned properly for word structure (i.e. 2 noun puzzle pieces will not fit together.) We use this game in a variety of ways other than what is specifically specified in the directions, so it is a sturdy, multi-use game.

7. Sentence Cube

This is a favorite of our family. Similar to Boggle in game construction. However, Dice have words on each side instead of letters. You must construct a proper sentence (or more than one) before the timer runs out. Scoring is determind by number of words in the sentence on a pad. This truly is a fun game for the little ones. You can purchase this game or you can create the game yourself. For example- you can use a set of magnetic refrigerator words and a timer and play the game while cooking dinner or bring it along in the car. Or, you can use the Silly Sentences puzzle pieces to play the Sentence cube game. Silly Sentences would be a nice game to use for this because the pieces are self correcting for the little ones to help them understand word order in sentences.

** You've Been Sentenced is a card version of this same game with many more card tiles, thus, much more 'replay value' for many more possible sentences.

8. Royalty

Award winning card game. Where scrabble meets rummy.  Players form, build and capture words that offer the highest scoring value. Can be played alone, with 2 or more. Ages 6 to adult.

9. Quiddler

This one is nice because even short words can lead to winning, so all ages can compete. Combine all the cards in your hand to form words. First round players get 3 cards, next round four cards etc.

10. PDQ Pretty Darn Quick Word Game

Quick! Try to make a word out of the letters SMP! Sound SiMPle? How about PTR? Get the PicTuRe? Players race to shout out a word that contains all the letters on the cards in play. Whoever has the most cards at the end of the game is the WNR. Ages 8 to Adult. 1 or more players. 15 minutes is the average playing time.

*** Smart Mouth is another version of this game.

***Sentence Says is a sentence variation of the same game.

11. Pass the Bomb

This card game is very similar to PDQ. The difference is that each person has their own turn to come of with words- they are not shouted out as a group. If your child feels too pressured to yell out words while competing at the same time with other people, then pass the bomb would be a better choice for you. But, same concept- 3 letters on each card and you must come up with words that include those letters. Fun play.

12 Snatch

This is an award winning game. Combine letters to form a word or add on to an existing one.

13. Pitch a Story

Lets you put together story elements taken from the game cards: Characters, challenges, friends or foes, props and settings. In doing so, you create a short 1-2 minute story that you act out. Competing players see your act and rate it on different elements.

14. Balderdash Junior

In the Junior version the words are easier. This is a super fun game for kids and helps improve vocabulary. Real word is presented. Kids must write a definition for the word. All definitions are read (including the correct one) and players guess which one they feel is correct.