Syllable Word Lists for Kids (Free Printables)
These syllable word lists provide a great way for kids to practice with breaking words apart into smaller, more manageable pieces. Working with syllables helps children become stronger readers by teaching them how to separate words into parts they can hear, say, and spell, supporting important skills like decoding and pronunciation.
Why should kids practice with syllables?
Working with syllables supports key literacy skills such as decoding and spelling. When children learn to recognize syllables, they can break unfamiliar words into smaller, easier-to-read parts. This helps them sound out words more confidently and strengthens their spelling skills.
Using printable word lists like these, which are focused on open and closed syllables and one-, two-, and three-syllable words, gives children clear, focused practice and helps them recognize patterns that can boost literacy and spelling skills over time.
Free Printable Syllable Word Lists for Kids
These printable syllable word lists are a great resources to help kids learn and practice with words featuring open and closed syllables as well as different numbers of syllables. Along with word lists, you’ll also find tips for teaching children about syllables and activities to help reinforce learning. Each list can be downloaded as PDF and printed, making it easy to use them at home or in the classroom.
Open and Closed Syllable Word Lists
A closed syllable is a syllable in which a single vowel is followed by one or more consonants and the vowel typically makes a short sound.
Open syllables end in a vowel and do not have a consonant following it. In open syllable words, the vowel typically has a long sound.
How to Teach Open and Closed Syllables to Kids
Get insights and ideas for helping children learn and understand the difference between open and closed syllables.
One-, Two-, and Three-Syllable Word Lists
One-syllable words are a key building block for early reading. This free printable list is organized alphabetically to help simplify sounding out words with your child.
Two-syllable words help to create a bridge between simple vocabulary words and more complex, multi-syllable words as children’s language skills grow.
This printable list of three-syllable words is designed to build off of our one- and two-syllable word lists, helping children improve their ability to break longer words into smaller parts while also building vocabulary and spelling skills.
Free Printable Syllable Worksheets
These free syllable worksheets offer fun, varied activities—like fill-in-the-blanks and crosswords—to help children learn how to break words into syllables.
Free Syllable Games for Kids
Wetlands Syllable Search
Carla needs help to complete her list of wetlands plants and animals. Put the correct syllables together to form their names.
Bongo’s Bongo Beats
Join Bongo in a game listening to animal names and working to count the number of syllables in each one.
Letter City Syllables
Join Prospector Paul and his mule Strauss in Letter City, where they’re building two-syllable words to tell the story of their trip.
Austin and Scout’s Word Adventure
Help Austin and Scout find the lost city by putting together the correct pieces of two-syllable words.
