Words that Start With the Letter B for Kids
Our list of letter B words comes with letter B activities, and tips for teaching the letter B sound and words to your child.
This comprehensive list of letter B words aims to help preschool, kindergarten, and elementary students get familiar with the letter B sound and expand their vocabulary with a list of letter B words.
Young learners may not be able to read many of these words on their own. Adults can read unknown words aloud to their child, helping them hear the beginning letter B sound. Simply print out our list of letter B words to work on with your child, along with our letter B pictures to help your child gain an understanding of what these new words mean. You’ll find simple words, such as bus and bell, as well as more challenging words, like balance and biography.
Pick and choose the words you feel are appropriate for your child, and remember that this list can be used to familiarize your child with the sound of the letter B, as a vocabulary list, or as a spelling list.
We’ve also included a definition of each word and used it in a short sentence, which can aid in growing your child’s understanding of what each word means. We’re also sharing letter B activities for children to help enhance their learning, as well as tips for parents on how to teach letter B words to their children.
Lists of Letter B Words
Select the words that you think are suitable for your child. Keep in mind that these lists of words can be used to help familiarize your child with the sound of the letter B, act as a list for vocabulary building, or be used for spelling practice. Younger children will likely need you to read the list to them.
3-Letter B Words
☐ bat: a small, flying mammal. “The bat flew out at dusk.”
☐ bed: furniture for sleeping. “He went to bed early.”
☐ big: large in size. “The big elephant was gentle.”
☐ bug: a small insect. “A bug crawled on the leaf.”
☐ bus: a large vehicle for transporting people. “The bus stopped at the corner.”
☐ bit: a small piece or amount. “She ate a bit of cake.”
☐ bar: a long, rigid piece of metal or wood. “He lifted the bar with ease.”
☐ bow: a weapon for shooting arrows. “He aimed the bow at the target.”
☐ box: a container with flat sides. “She opened the box.”
☐ bid: to offer a price. “He bid on the antique vase.”
☐ bun: a small bread for one person. “She ate a burger with a bun.”
☐ bob: to move up and down. “The boat bobbed on the waves.”
☐ beg: to ask for something earnestly. “The child began to beg for a new toy.”
☐ bin: a container for storage. “He put the papers in the bin.”
☐ bop: to hit or strike. “He bopped the balloon with his finger.”
Simple Preschool Letter B Words
☐ ball: a round object for playing games. “He kicked the ball.”
☐ bear: a large, furry mammal. “The bear caught fish in the river.”
☐ book: a set of printed pages, bound together. “She read the book at bedtime.”
☐ baby: a very young child. “The baby smiled.”
☐ boat: a vehicle for traveling on water. “They sailed in the boat.”
☐ bike: a two-wheeled vehicle powered by pedaling. “He rode his bike to school.”
☐ bell: a metallic device that makes a ringing sound. “The bell rang for recess.”
☐ bath: a container filled with water for washing. “She took a bath before bed.”
☐ bark: the sound a dog makes. “The dog will bark at strangers.”
☐ bird: a feathered animal that can fly. “A bird sang in the tree.”
☐ bake: to cook by dry heat. “Mom will bake a cake.”
☐ blue: a color. “The sky is blue.”
☐ bean: a type of seed or vegetable. “We ate beans for dinner.”
☐ bend: to shape something into a curve. “He can bend the wire.”
☐ bump: a raised area on a surface. “He got a bump on his head.”
Kindergarten Words
☐ brush: an instrument with bristles for cleaning. “She will brush her teeth.”
☐ brave: showing courage. “The brave firefighter saved the cat.”
☐ blossom: a flower or a state of flowering. “The cherry trees are in blossom.”
☐ butter: a dairy product made from cream. “She spread butter on her toast.”
☐ bubble: a thin sphere of liquid enclosing air. “He blew a big bubble.”
☐ basket: a container made of woven material. “She carried the fruit in a basket.”
☐ blanket: a large piece of fabric used as a covering for warmth. “He wrapped himself in a blanket.”
☐ butterfly: a flying insect with colorful wings. “A butterfly landed on the flower.”
☐ birthday: the anniversary of the day on which a person was born. “We celebrated his birthday with a party.”
☐ branch: a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk. “A bird built a nest on the branch.”
☐ button: a small fastener on clothing. “He realized a button had fallen off his coat.”
☐ breeze: a gentle wind. “The breeze cooled the air.”
☐ bucket: a cylindrical container with a handle. “He filled the bucket with water.”
☐ balance: to keep steady or in equilibrium. “She can balance on one foot.”
Elementary Words
☐ biology: the science of life or living organisms. “We studied plants in biology class.”
☐ bulky: something large that takes up space. “It was hard to fit the bulky chair in the room.”
☐ bright: giving off a lot of light. “The moon was so bright it lit up the sky.”
☐ business: a place of work; a person’s job. “She started her own dog-walking business.”
☐ brother: a male sibling. “Sarah is playing with her little brother.”
☐ belong: to be the property of someone. “That bike is mine. It belongs to me.”
☐ bought: past tense of the word buy. “He bought a banana for a snack.”
☐ biography: a written account of another person’s life. “He read a biography of Abraham Lincoln.”
☐ beneficial: producing good or helpful results. “Drinking water is beneficial to your health.”
☐ bilingual: able to speak two languages fluently. “She is bilingual in English and Spanish.”
☐ barricade: a barrier for defense or protection. “The protesters set up a barricade.”
☐ benevolent: well-meaning and kindly. “The benevolent man donated to charity.”
☐ boulevard: a wide street in a city. “They strolled down the boulevard.”
☐ brilliance: exceptional talent or intelligence. “Her brilliance in math was recognized early.”
☐ brevity: the quality of being brief or concise. “The brevity of the speech was appreciated.”
☐ blueprint: a detailed plan or design. “The architect showed us the blueprint for the house.”
Food Words
☐ banana: a long, curved yellow fruit with soft, creamy flesh. “He ate a banana for breakfast.”
☐ bread: a food made from flour and water. “She baked fresh bread for their sandwiches.”
☐ butternut: a type of squash with a sweet, nutty taste. “Butternut soup is her favorite.”
☐ biscuit: a small, baked bread product. “He had a biscuit with his tea.”
☐ broccoli: a green vegetable with a large flowering head. “Broccoli is rich in vitamins.”
☐ burrito: a Mexican dish consisting of a flour tortilla wrapped around a filling. “We ordered burritos for dinner.”
☐ brisket: a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest. “The brisket was slow-cooked to perfection.”
☐ brie: a soft, creamy, white cheese. “Brie cheese goes well with crackers.”
☐ basil: a green herb used in cooking. “She added basil to the sauce.”
☐ baguette: a long, thin loaf of French bread. “He bought a baguette for the sandwich.”
☐ barbecue: a method of cooking food over open fire. “They had a barbecue in the backyard.”
☐ buckwheat: a plant used for its grains in cooking. “Buckwheat pancakes are a healthy option.”
☐ beet: a root vegetable usually red in color. “Beet juice can stain your hands red.”
Animal Words
☐ baboon: a large monkey found in Africa and Asia. “A baboon was spotted near the campsite.”
☐ buffalo: a large bovine animal. “The buffalo roamed the plains.”
☐ beaver: a large, aquatic rodent known for building dams. “The beaver built a dam in the stream.”
☐ barracuda: a large, predatory tropical marine fish. “The barracuda swam swiftly through the water.”
☐ bulldog: a breed of sturdy dogs with a wrinkled face. “The bulldog lay in the shade.”
☐ bobcat: a North American wildcat. “A bobcat was seen near the woods.”
☐ bison: a large, hairy wild bovine living in herds. “The bison grazed in the national park.”
☐ bandicoot: a small, nocturnal marsupial. “The bandicoot foraged for food at night.”
☐ beluga: a small, white whale. “The beluga whale is known for its vocal sounds.”
☐ buzzard: a large bird of prey. “The buzzard circled overhead.”
☐ barnacle: a marine crustacean that attaches itself to a variety of surfaces. “The ship’s hull was covered in barnacles.”
☐ bass: a type of fish. “He caught a large bass while fishing.”
☐ beetle: a type of insect. “The beetle crawled across the leaf.”
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Object Words
☐ bracelet: a piece of jewelry worn around the wrist. “She wore a silver bracelet.”
☐ bookshelf: furniture for holding books. “The bookshelf was filled with books for children.”
☐ bottle: a container with a narrow neck used for storing liquids. “He filled the bottle with water.”
☐ broom: a cleaning tool consisting of stiff fibers attached to a long handle. “She swept the floor with a broom.”
☐ balloon: a flexible bag that can be inflated with air or gas. “The child let go of the balloon.”
☐ backpack: a bag carried by a strap on one’s back. “He packed his backpack for the hike.”
☐ binoculars: a device for viewing distant objects. “He used binoculars to watch the birds.”
☐ basketball: a ball used in the game of basketball. “They played basketball in the park.”
☐ briefcase: a flat, rectangular container for carrying documents. “He carried his documents in a briefcase.”
☐ bulb: a round root of some plants or a device that produces light. “He replaced the light bulb.”
☐ bookmark: a marker placed in a book to indicate the reader’s place. “She placed a bookmark on her page.”
☐ blender: an electric mixing machine. “She used the blender to make a smoothie.”
Places Words
☐ beach: a sandy or pebbly shore by the ocean. “They spent the day at the beach.”
☐ bank: an institution where money is kept; land alongside a river. “He went to the bank to withdraw money.”
☐ bridge: a structure for crossing over obstacles. “The bridge spanned the wide river.”
☐ bakery: a place where bread and pastries are made or sold. “The bakery smelled of fresh bread.”
☐ barracks: buildings used to house soldiers. “The soldiers returned to the barracks.”
☐ boutique: a small shop selling fashionable clothes or accessories. “She found a unique dress at the boutique.”
☐ bistro: a small restaurant. “They had dinner at a cozy bistro.”
☐ basement: the lower floor of a building, below ground level. “They turned the basement into a game room.”
☐ balcony: a platform on the outside of a building, enclosed by walls or railings. “He stepped out onto the balcony to get some fresh air.”
☐ boardwalk: a wooden walkway built along a beach or waterfront. “They strolled along the boardwalk at sunset.”
☐ bungalow: a low, single-story house. “They rented a bungalow by the beach.”
Nature and Environment Words
☐ bush: a low, densely branched plant. “The bird hid in the bush.”
☐ bay: a body of water partially enclosed by land. “They sailed into the bay.”
☐ biome: a large ecosystem characterized by its vegetation, soil, and climate. “The rainforest is a diverse biome.”
☐ butte: an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top. “The butte stood prominently in the landscape.”
☐ boulder: a large, rounded rock. “The boulder was too heavy to move.”
☐ blizzard: a severe snowstorm with strong winds. “The blizzard closed all the roads.”
☐ brook: a small stream. “The brook babbled through the woods.”
☐ barren: land too poor in nutrients to produce much or any vegetation. “The barren landscape stretched for miles.”
☐ bloom: the process of flowering. “The garden was in full bloom.”
☐ bamboo: a tall, flexible plant used in building and crafts. “The panda ate bamboo.”
☐ brine: water saturated with salt. “The brine was used for preserving fish.”
Emotions and Traits
☐ bitter: feeling or showing anger, hurt, or resentment. “He felt bitter after the argument.”
☐ blissful: extremely happy; full of joy. “They were blissful on their wedding day.”
☐ boastful: showing excessive pride in one’s achievements. “He was boastful about his grades.”
☐ bashful: reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy. “She was bashful at parties.”
☐ bewildered: completely puzzled or confused. “He was bewildered by the sudden change.”
☐ bold: showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous. “She made a bold decision.”
☐ buoyant: able to stay afloat or rise to the top; cheerful and optimistic. “His buoyant personality lifted everyone’s spirits.”
☐ brusque: abrupt or offhand in speech or manner. “Her brusque reply took him by surprise.”
☐ bewitched: enchanted; charmed by or as if by witchcraft. “She was bewitched by the beautiful landscape.”
☐ bleak: offering little or no hope; cold and piercing. “The future seemed bleak.”
☐ blithe: acting without thought or regard. “His blithe disregard for the rules was troubling.”
Action Words
☐ build: to construct by assembling parts. “They will build a new house.”
☐ bounce: to spring back after hitting a surface. “When the kids play wall ball, they bounce the ball off a wall.”
☐ breathe: to take air into the lungs and then expel it. “She took a moment to breathe deeply.”
☐ browse: to look through or glance at casually. “Let’s browse the bookstore for a new novel.”
☐ bargain: to negotiate the terms and conditions of a transaction. “Sally got the pants for a bargain since they were on sale.”
☐ behave: to act in a certain way. “The children behave well at school.”
☐ believe: to accept something as true. “I believe in your potential.”
☐ blink: to shut and open the eyes quickly. “The bright sun causes me to blink and squint a lot.”
☐ blush: to turn red in the face from embarrassment or emotion. “Receiving a compliment made him blush.”
☐ boil: to heat a liquid until it bubbles and begins to turn to steam. “She waited for the water to boil.”
☐ borrow: to use something that belongs to someone else with the intention of returning it. “Can I borrow your pen?”
☐ brake: to cause a vehicle to slow down or stop. “He needed to brake suddenly to avoid the cat.”
☐ bury: to put into the ground and cover up. “Let’s bury the time capsule in the yard.”
☐ bask: to lie in or be exposed to warmth. “The cat loves to bask in the sunny spot on the floor.”
Free Printable Letter B Words Lists
Simply download and print our PDFs of the letter B word lists to review with your children. One list includes all of our letter B words and the other lists features our letter B words along with their definitions and the words used in a simple sentence.
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Letter B Words with Pictures
Preschoolers and kindergarteners will appreciate having illustrations to look at while learning new letter B words. As you read the words aloud to them, draw their attention to the letter B sound as you pronounce the word. Point at the corresponding picture as you say the letter B word. You can choose from our printable letter B words with pictures to color or letter B words with illustrations.
Letter B Activities
Letter B Song:
Learning about the letter B is especially fun when it’s a song kids can listen, dance, and sing to.
Letter B Worksheets:
These free printable letter B worksheets can help children learn to recognize the letter B, say its name and the sound it makes, and start learning how to write it, too.
Letter B Hands-on Learning
Letter B Scavenger Hunt
Whether you’re at home, outdoors, or running errands, help your child notice things that start with the letter B. This will continue expanding their vocabulary and growing their familiarity with the letter B sound.
Letter B Baking
Bake simple recipes together, like banana bread or brownies, emphasizing the B words in the ingredients and process, such as baking soda and blending ingredients.
Read a Book
Let your child pick a book to read to read aloud and call attention to the letter b sounds heard in the book. This works well with audiobooks, too.
Tips for Teaching Letter B Words
- Make It Multisensory
When working on new concepts with your child, try incorporating activities that engage multiple senses. For example, when learning new words, seeing the word represented in a picture can help children remember its meaning. Similarly, when children are learning new letters of the alphabet, tracing the outline of the printed letter can help children remember its shape.
- Focus on the Sound First
For children learning the shape and sound of the letter B for the first time, keep your focus there before encouraging children to associate letter B words with their meaning. When reading the list of letter B words, help your child notice the letter B sound in each word. When they’re ready, move on to pairing the new word with its meaning.
- Incorporate Technology
Use educational apps and videos that focus on the letter B, creating another learning path for your child that offers auditory and visual input.
Additional Resources
ABCmouse has educational resources for children aged 2-8, as well as resources to help parents and teachers.
Kindergarten Reading Worksheets
These free printable reading worksheets for kindergarteners can help with early literacy skills.
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Sight Word Games
Find interactive learning games focused on high-frequency words for kindergarteners through second graders.
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Fun Reading Activities for Preschoolers to Second Graders
Add fun reading activities to your child’s learning with these engaging ideas to try at home or in the classroom.
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