This simple sight word game, called Oh No, is such a fun, easy way to practice sight words. It can be used in the classroom or at home.
One of my favorite ways to use the game in school is as a center activity. Children can easily play this game independently in small groups or in pairs.
Materials to Play Oh No
- Oh No Cards
- Sight word cards
- Small gift bag or paper bag
Oh No! Game Directions
- Place all of the sight word and “Oh No!” cards into the small gift bag.
- Shake to mix.
- Children sit in a small circle or at a table.
- Children take turns pulling a word out of the bag.
- If they can read the sight word, they keep the card. If they can’t read the word, the put the card back in the bag and it’s the next child’s turn.
- If a child gets an “Oh No!” card, they have to put all of their cards back in the bag.
- Children play until there are no sight word cards left or time is up.
- The child with the most cards at the end wins.
Oh No! Game Tips
- Laminate these cards so that they last.
- If you have parent volunteers, this is another great game they can prepare for you. Send the parent the template (e-mail or flash drive) and your sight word list. Let them type the words into the template. Then have another parent volunteer cut them out and separate them.
- I separate my sight words into sandwich bags by monthly theme. This way I can easily update the game throughout the year by switching out the sight word cards.
- Watch for wandering eyes; students often try to peek into the bag to avoid or purposely get the Oh no! Cards
Free Oh No! Game Files
Pre-primer Oh No! (preschool/kindergarten)
