Get ready to spell it, spin it, and win it! This Christmas-Themed CVC Word Families Board Game turns short vowel practice into a high-energy, low-prep literacy activity your students will BEG to play!

Designed with bold, engaging visuals and a clear structure perfect for small groups, literacy centers, or independent word work time, this phonics board game makes decoding short vowel CVC words fun and hands-on for every learner.

Whether you’re introducing short vowels, reviewing CVC word families, or building fluency, this game has the flexibility you need to support your students at any level.

With 190 CVC word cards included (in both color and low-ink black and white), this is a go-to resource for your file folder games, phonics stations, or small group rotations all year long!

What’s Included in the CVC Word Families Game?

This low-prep literacy game includes everything you need for interactive phonics fun:

• Full-color Christmas-themed game board
• Spinner to determine movement after each turn
• Matching game pieces or use your own manipulatives
• 190 printable CVC word cards across all five short vowel families (a, e, i, o, u)
• Low-ink black and white card set included for easy printing
• Step-by-step teacher instructions
• Differentiation ideas for support or challenge
• Suggested file folder game assembly instructions
• Game supports 2–4 players for flexible classroom use

Academic Skills Covered:

Primary Literacy Skills:

• Decoding and spelling CVC words
• Phonemic awareness through segmenting and blending
• Short vowel sound recognition (a, e, i, o, u)
• Phoneme-grapheme mapping for reading fluency
• Listening and responding during partner work
  

Social-Emotional and Life Skills:

• Turn-taking and cooperation
• Self-regulation and patience
• Fine motor development through hands-on interaction
• Confidence-building through repetition and success

How to Play the CVC Spell It! Board Game:

1. Shuffle the CVC word cards and place them in a stack.
2. Each player places their piece on the yellow Start star.
3. The player to the left picks a card and reads the CVC word aloud.
4. The current player spells the CVC word aloud or writes it down.
5. If correct, they spin the spinner and move forward.
6. If not, they stay in place and the next player goes.
7. The first player to reach the green star wins!
   

Two-player option? One reads the CVC words, one spells... then switch!

How and Where to Use The CVC Word Game:

This CVC game is ideal for:

• Phonics centers or morning tubs
• Guided reading or RTI intervention
• Partner games for literacy rotations
• Speech therapy or ELL word practice
• Sub plans or easy-prep Friday fun
• File folder games for quiet early finisher work
• Home practice or tutoring support
  

Kids get all the CVC word practice they need in a way that feels like play!

Standards Alignment:

✔ Common Core ELA Standards:

• RF.K.2d: Isolate and pronounce the initial, medial vowel, and final sounds
• RF.K.3b: Associate short vowels with common spellings
• RF.1.2c: Isolate and pronounce sounds in single-syllable words
• RF.1.3a: Decode regularly spelled one-syllable words
  

✔ Texas TEKS:

• K.2.B: Identify and read CVC words
• 1.2.B.i: Decode CVC words using letter-sound relationships
• 1.2.A.iii: Blend spoken phonemes to form a word
  

✔ Virginia SOL:

• K.4b: Understand that letters represent sounds
• 1.5b: Use knowledge of consonants and vowels to decode regular words
• 1.6a: Use phonetic strategies when reading and spelling

Check out what other educators are saying about the CVC Word Board Game:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cynthia S. wrote, “This was so easy to make!  My students beg to play it!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Veronica U. wrote, “My 1st graders loved this as a center, thank you!”

This CVC board game is a Christmasy, skill-building literacy tool your students will ask for again and again!

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places:

1. On the 'thank you' page after checkout
2. In your email
3. Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account