My soon-to-be Kindergartener is all excited about learning to read. We have been practicing sight words all summer, and she is now discovering the thrill of seeing those words in a sentence and reading it. Now reading short, entry-level books, she has come a long way since the end of school year when she didn’t know a single sight word.
I attribute much of her success to practice and making it fun.
I wish I could take credit for creating this sight word game, but it actually came from her summer camp teacher. But because it has been so successful for my daughter (and because I am a Popsicle Ambassador so we love crafting with Popsicle sticks) I had to share it.
Sight Words Game — DYNAMITE!
Start with clean Popsicle sticks (go ahead, let the kiddos have an extra one this weeks so you have lots of sticks!). Write a sight word on one end of your Popsicle stick. We started with 20 words plus two sticks that say DYNAMITE! (22 sticks total.)
To play, take turns drawing a stick and reading the word. For every word that is read correctly, the player keeps the stick. But if a player draws DYNAMITE!, they must put back all of their sticks. When all of the sticks have been drawn, the player with the most sticks wins.
This game is all about using upcycled materials so we keep out sticks in an old Crystal Light container that I let my daughter decorate. (Note, Fudgecicles do not have jokes on the back of the sticks, so they are perfect for this game.)
The best part about this game is that it can be played with several players or alone. My daughter had a great time playing it with friends from camp, but she also plays it solo now that she knows the words better. Next week, I am going to switch out some of the words and make it more challenging for her again. The possibilities with this game are endless – math, science, etc. Anything you can use flash cards for.
Watch out Kindergarten, here comes K with 40 words under her belt.
Not sure what sight words to start working on? Click on the image below to download and print a list of 220 of the most common sight words by grade level.
This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in the Popsicle Blogger Program. Visit www.facebook.com/popsicle to join the conversation.
Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families says
This is a great idea. Thank you for sharing. My son isn’t quite old enough to do this yet but he will be in a few years.
Sadie B. says
We would make them into alphabet letters. Some velcro on the ends and they can make shapes and letters.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
We Would Make A Pencil Holder To Gift Teacher’s, Or A Birdhouse
Stacey B says
One thing I’d like to try is making Christmas tree ornaments out of them
Jennifer Aldridge says
well you have to make picture frames out of them with toddlers….that’s a given, right? But my little one also likes to make puppets by adding googley eyes and feathers.
Susan Christy says
Such cute ideas! I like the popsicle stick fireworks.
Margaret Smith says
Love these ideas. We made photo frames out of popsticks. Thanks so much.
Angela Kinder says
We’ll probably make frames and ornaments.
Denise S says
I would make a house with them.
Rich Morris says
A logcabin house 🙂
Elena says
I would make a toy house
Maureen says
I would love to do the sight words and make a house out of popsicle sticks! I also saw that you can make bracelets out of them!
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
Jessie C. says
So many great ideas, I would do Popsicle Stick Fireworks project first.
Tari Lawson says
I would use them to write an event and have my son pick one to write a paragraph on to get writing practice.
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
a dog house for the playset
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Ann Fantom says
I would like to make a picture frame with my popsicle sticks
Cynthia C says
I’ll make garden markers with popsicle sticks.
Jennifer says
We use the sticks for all kinds of crafts and for puppet shows
Tarah says
Popsicle Stick Fireworks
April Brenay says
use them to build “log” cabins! they are so much fun
McKim says
birdhouse
Erica H says
I’d make photo frame magnets!
Jessica To says
I would like to make snow flake Christmas ornaments.
Katie K says
picture frames
Monique Rizzo says
I would make a picture frame.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Kathleen says
birdhouse
kport207 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
I would make either a picture frame or door sign
Suzanne K says
I’d make markers for my plants in my garden
Geoff K says
I’d love to make a model log cabin out of Popsicle sticks!
Madeline says
My daughter and I will make a house for her hamster.
Kyl Neusch says
some frames
Sherry Compton says
My grandson would love using them to make unique robots and contraptions.
Rebecca Graham says
I will make a bird house.
steve weber says
the popsicle stick fireworks.
cassie says
the classic popsicle stick frames are always fun!
Janet W. says
The sight words are a great idea and perfect for my grandson. He knows all this letters and is interested in reading books now. These will help him recognize words!
McKenzie McClanahan says
We’ll make christmas ornaments!
Carol says
Would like to make a house.
Austin Baroudi says
A house is always fun to make!
Megan Cromes says
a popsicle stick flag.
Elizabeth Owens says
We would want to make flowers!
Natalie says
A bird house
Lisa Brown says
i would make frozen yogurt pops
Lisa Evanoff says
I am thinking a birdhouse!
Julie Wood says
I want to make the Popsicle Stick 4th of July Flag Craft. It looks really pretty!
Kellie Christensen says
The popsicle picture frame would be so fun with my nephew!
Gail Williams says
Honestly, the granddaughters would make the picture frames in their favorite colors!
Kristen N. says
I would make a popsicle stick house.
Thomas Murphy says
I want to make the Popsicle Stick Picture Frame.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I would make snowflake Christmas ornaments.
MaryAnn Casey says
I like the fireworks idea
Christy says
I will make plant markers
keely hostetter says
I like the photo frame idea, probably make the ornaments too.
Amanda Sakovitz says
a jewelry box!
Shane R. says
I’ll make a frame with the sticks
David says
As a kid I always made things that I could use with my hot wheels. My favorite was a bridge. I think I would make one of those with my son so he can have as much fun as I did.
latoya says
I love the popsicle stickts fireworks!
Carolyn G says
I like the picture frame!
Mary Casper says
i have made the picture frames before so i will make another one
Claire Rheinheimer says
I like the sight words idea only I’d do letters for my 2 year old.
jen says
Letters would be fantastic! On that same thought process, I think I might do colors with my baby girl!
judy gardner says
the picture frame
Kate says
I would make picture frames.
KJ Skib says
I like the sight words game but I also like the picture frame.
Emily says
I like the frame.
Arlene Whitfield says
I will make Popsicle stick flags of the world to help my kids learn their flags. thanks for the chance! 🙂
Katie Bellamy says
Picture frames!
Stephanie Larison says
I’d like to make the picture frames with my daughter, she loves when we do crafts together.
Cheryl F. says
I’d make the Popsicle Stick Picture Frame.
Claudia says
I would like to make the picture frame.
Tracy Robertson says
I don’t think I will make anything with the sticks, but I will eat the Popsicles :0)
Michelle Castagne says
Not sure if I will make anything. We will be eating the popsicles.
Candice says
The Picture Frame kid craft.
ken ohl says
love to try and make a dollhouse with my niece
debbie says
I would make the picture frames.
Misty says
picture frame
Debra Guillen says
My kids would enjoy designing their own Popsicle Stick Picture Frames
katie says
The flag popsicle stick idea is adorable
Deb S says
We will make a birdhouse.
susan gibson says
a square pencil cup
Lynda Thomas says
I would help my boys make a cool castle! 🙂
Kristin says
I like the Popsicle Stick Picture Frames!!
tung ton says
A SMALL BIRDHOUSE
Tamar says
I’d make trivets.
Kelly D says
I would make a popsicle stick picture frame.
Allie says
The flag is cute
carol kaplan says
a dollhouse
Amy Green says
Barbie furniture, painted in colors!
Wild Orchid says
We would use them to build little houses.
Entered the rafflecopter as “Wild orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Amy Honious says
i make trivets and coasters with my popsicle sticks! thanks for such a nice and yummy giveaway!
Tina M says
I like the picture frame!
andrea d says
a picture frame for sure =)
June Lisle says
I would make a fan. Or make farm animal art.
dv8 says
Popsicle sticks become chew toys for hamsters.
dawn k says
I would use them at school to draw names for helpers.
Eloise C says
I like the Popsicle Stick Picture Frame, but we would love to make a little birdhouse too! Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway!
furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net
Cassie says
I love all those ideas! I think I will store them away in my craft drawer until I have some kiddos to share in the fun with 🙂
Rosanne says
I like the popsicle stick picture frame
Crystal F says
I would put them up so that we could make snowflake oranments for the tree when Christmas comes around. Thank you!
Laura Jacobson says
Oh I love the popsicle stick picture frames! So cute!
Robyn says
I would make the picture frames with my girls for their first day of school pictures!
katherine d says
I like the Popsicle Stick Flags
Kylie C says
I’d turn them into a building set/shapes practice set by adding little Velcro dots to the ends.
Dawn Ganey says
A fairy house with all the trimmings.
Helga says
I would make boxes with them.
latanya says
I would let my son spell his name with them
Trisha W. says
I think they could make fun math flash ‘cards’ too.
Mary Happymommy says
I would make a popsicle stick house.
Sarah says
I’d use some for educational games, but save some so my son and I could build a popsicle stick cabin!
Beth says
Use them as paint sticks
Marissa M says
I would build boxes with them and maybe gifts for relatives. I am sure Pinterest would have plenty of ideas!!
Renee G says
My boys love making bridges and buildings from these.
Seyma Shabbir says
Popsicle stick picture frame
Karlene says
Puppets
Liza @ Views From the 'Ville says
I’d make those Popsicle stick photo puzzles using pictures of our family members that live further away.
Olivia Rubin says
Jewlery box and use ribbon to pull up lid and paint it
kolpin says
i’d make picture frames!
rafflecopter: daniel
shirley says
Kids want to make a log cabin, for some small dolls.
ReggieMann says
I would make the Popsicle Stick Picture Frame Kids Craft
Vanessa says
I love the sight words idea but I’d take it further and make letters so my older son could spell anything with them.
Tanya White says
I would like to make a bird house with them.
Emily C says
I think we may make a picture frame. Although this sight word game is a good idea!
tina reynolds says
I would make a little house with a fence
john hutchens says
Popsicle Stick Picture Fram Kids Craft
ellen casper says
Popsicle Stick Flags are a cute idea
Kathy says
A hot pad made them when I was in bible school in grade school
Ellie W says
My grandsons made picture frames with popsicle sticks a couple of weeks ago. They are really cute.
Danielle K says
I think I might use some around a tin can to make a little vase!
lanie says
I would make a little bird house or something 🙂
Sara Zielinski says
We would make stick stickly from Nickelodeon
meredith says
I’d use them as paint sticks!
Cynthia R says
i think we would make some picture frames and fridge magnets
Christine says
a popsicle stick house.
Kate F. says
I would let my niece and nephew build houses with them.
Kitty says
I’d make Popsicle Stick Picture Frames!
Marti B. says
I think little fences for toy horses would be a good thing to make.
Sarah Ann Walker says
I would build a Popsicle stick castle. My son would love it!
Denise N. says
My kids go through popsicle sticks like hot cakes. They make puppets, log cabins. fairy houses, flags, sculptures and more. You can never have too many popsicle sticks on hand in this house.
apple blossom says
picture frame is cute
Jean says
My girls love to make puppets out of pom poms, yarn, googly eyes and Popsicle sticks!
Amy Z. says
I’d make a Popsicle stick sign board.
soha molina says
Popsicle Stick Picture Frames.
samantha s says
I would love to make a birdhouse or some christmas ornaments with my kids with popsicle sticks
Melanie Montgomery says
I like the Doc is in sign
Amanda Hoffman says
picture frames 🙂
janna johnson says
magnets with names on them
Jenna D says
birdhouses
Susan Chester says
I will make picture frames with my grandchildren.
JRFrugalMom says
My kids would build airplanes.
Wanda McHenry says
The picture frames would be cute painted and decorated with glitter and those pretty accessories!
joseph gersch jr says
i would make a manger
Merry says
My kids like to make picture frames and also Christmas ornaments using old Christmas cards that they glue to the popsicle stick frames
KAREN says
a fort like I did in grammar school
Jennifer R says
I saw a project for a Craft Stick Trinket Box that I thought was great. I would make that.
Jimmy says
I would make a picture frame
Cindy says
Picture frames.
angie says
I love the sight word game myself with a child who will learn to read soon this will really help
Victoria Carlson says
Would love to make a picture frame out of the popsicle sticks! Such a GREAT idea!
ellen c. says
We’d like to make a jewelry box. Thanks for the chance.
Joan Kubes says
I would make plant markers for my garden.
carla g says
picture frames.. pencil holders.. christmas tree ornamanets
Rosalie says
We would like to make a picture frame or an ornament
D Schmidt says
I think we would make a picture frame 🙂
pinky sade says
we would make log cabins and other houses
Eileen Burke says
I would make tags for all my new plants in my garden.
Katherine Donovan says
The 4th of July flags are super cute!!
Jessica Snow says
Maybe make a little house.
Thanks for the giveaway! =)
Charlene S says
I would make the picture frame.
Jennifer says
Christmas tree ornaments!
Paula Tavernie says
I would make a box with a lid!!
Alison says
Probably would make the pop sickle stick picture frame, thanks!
Jill Myrick says
We will be building a cabin for my sons army men.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Brittney House says
We would make puppets and picture frames.
Shelley P says
We will be making picture frames : ) I also saw a popsicle stick farm critters craft the kids would just love!
http://pinterest.com/pin/438397344947721917/
Derrick Johnson says
I have a niece who knows how to make picture frames with popsicle sticks;I’ll leave the creativity to her!
Kiara says
I would make a picture frame.
matt lehman says
bridge for my 2 yr old sons cars to roll over
Paula Michele Hafner says
We use them to make stick puppets of my son’s favorite characters.
Kim Ripley says
I would make little picture frames with my daughter.
ky2here says
I like to have ideas in the back of my head. I prefer to let them use their own creativity instead of telling them, this is what we’re making.
tess says
my son needs to get ready for kindergarden- i printed the sight words- ill be making this soon
tcogbill at live dot come
thanks for the list
Mary Calabrese says
A picture frame.
Nicole D. says
I like to use them as plant markers in my garden.
Anthony says
I would make a birdhouse
Barbara Montag says
We have a new project to try – making coasters.
Thank you.
Shauna Orr says
I like the picture frame kids craft
Sharon says
picture frames
Susan Smith says
I would make a picture frame
Jessica K. says
I love this game that you mentioned! My baby is still too little, but when she gets older this will be a great game to play! I also really like the picture frame idea! Great ideas I cant wait til she is old enough to try them!!
stephanie g says
We will make a house!
Rebecca Lock says
We will make picture frames and match games.
theodore esteghamat says
They make great plant markers.
Katie Roch says
We would make a Popsicle Stick Picture Frames to show off some of the kids artwork.
Daniel M says
haven’t made anything in years actually
Debra Ford says
I’d love to make a birdhouse with my kids
Debra Hall says
i think i would make a trivet
Mary Cloud says
A pencil box
annabella @ centurytel dot net
Kathleen S. says
The Popsicle stick picture frame. So cute!
Mihaela D. says
I would make picture frames
Deb C says
I will make plant markers with the Popsicle sticks.
Robin says
I would build a fort
harolde says
We would build a castle
BLG says
I would make picture frames!
Mya Murphy says
As a child, I used to make birdhouses! Thank you, girl scouts!
Lisa Garner says
I think my children would have fun building popsicle mail boxes.
Kristin says
A popsicle stick house!
Lindsay P says
My Nana used to make barbie furniture (chairs and beds) out of Popsicle sticks! I thought it was such a neat idea. She would make them with hot glue and let the grandchildren paint them.
maria says
what a fun game! I may have to do this one!
Samantha says
We would make picture frames and fences!
karen b says
I would have my grandaughter help me make a picture frame
karenb834atyahoo.com
Angela Cisco says
herbname markers for herb garden
Kimberly Hilbert says
We like to make Popsicle stick frames for pictures and artwork.
karen says
The ribbon flags.
Nicole C. says
We would make a picture frame!
Erica C. says
I like the idea of cutting up pictures of faces and putting them on the sticks and it’s like a puzzle.
susan smoaks says
i like to make a house with my popsicle sticks and a fence too!
Vikki Billings says
I would make the Popsicle Stick Fireworks except that I would make them snowflakes and hang them on the Christmas tree
Kim H says
The kids make bridges and houses for their matchbox cars
K. Cleaver says
My kids use them to make racetrack barriers and use them to build houses/garages.
Beverly Metcalf says
I save them and write what plants I have in my garden rows on the sticks. Thanks for this contest.
laurie says
I like the fireworks made with sticks
Bryan E. says
Thanks for the giveaway… a bird house !
Jill McHale says
I would make a log cabin 🙂
CharityS says
I would build a dollhouse.
David Carlson says
A box to store things.
Trisha McKee says
I would make snowflakes
Terry Cross says
Picture frame
melissa Resnick says
chrismtas tree decorations
Heather S says
decorative box
Roxann says
We would make a bird house.
Gina Marie Benway says
Probably telephone poles, my autistic son has an obsession with them and makes them all the time
Samii Meyer says
I like the frames, we would make those
Sarah L says
fireworks.
Thanks for the contest.
Breanne says
I’d make a bracelet
zidni says
Great idea with those sticks, mom.
jen says
Thanks! My kids love it!
Kim says
You could also paint them (or buy colored ones from the craft or teacher store to level them! Red for kinder, orange for 1st, and so on for multiple level playing with siblings or friends!
Debbie says
I have 5 list of 50 phrases that I put each list on a different color of popcicle stick for difficulty level. For each 10 phrases I put in a stick that says “Zap” if they get a zap all sticks go back into the jar and they start over. The winner is the one with the most sticks at the end. This works on fluency as well as sight words.