What is a Kindergarten Spelling Box Anyway?
The kindergarten spelling box is an essential tool for the homeschool mom with littles.
The idea behind this box is super simple – make learning fun!
It’s incredibly easy for new learners, such as kindergartners or preschoolers, to get overwhelmed when it comes to new tasks like practicing spelling words.
Learning to tackle the hard things with a super fun, multi-option approach is what makes this spelling box such an amazing tool for homeschooling kindergarten!
Love the idea of making spelling more enjoyable for your kindergartner, but not ready to put together a spelling box just yet?
Check out Hands on Ways to Practice Kindergarten Spelling Words for some ‘outside the box’ options!
A Peek Inside Our Box
When my daughter was finishing up her preschool curriculum last spring, I quickly began planning out her kindergarten year.
Once I settled on a curriculum, it was time to focus on extras & manipulatives. This is when our kindergarten spelling box was born.
Ready to see what we put in our box? Take a peek at the short video below!
How to Make Your Own Box
If you’re ready to get started with your own spelling box, you’ve come to the right place!
The list below is a break down of what we have in our box, as well as other fun alternatives you can get for your own box!
Like the tote we used for our spelling box? We do too! Take a peek at the Storage Box we chose.
Alphabet Stamps
Yes! Most kids thoroughly enjoy using stamps for any occasion, making these the perfect addition to any kindergarten spelling box!
Plus, if your kindergartner is anything like mine, it can keep them busy for a long period of time!
So why not turn that crafty love into a fun learning moment?
Our stamps of choice are these Alphabet Stamps from Melissa and Doug. I chose these over some others, simply because they had both lowercase and uppercase stamps in a single package.
Don’t want to include stamping in your spelling box?
Try adding an Alphabet Puzzle instead!
In place of stamping, simply have your child practice spelling words with the puzzle pieces. Then, encourage them to complete the puzzle when they are finished practicing.
Bam! Two activities in one – you’re welcome!
Alphabet Bean Bags
Alphabet Bean Bags are a great way to practice spelling and HAVE FUN at the same time!
This one is so fun, you guys!
I originally purchased these bean bags when my daughter was in preschool. We basically tossed them around and played some fun learning games for letter recognition.
They served their preschool purpose well, but we are having even more fun with them this year in our kindergarten spelling box!
Similar to preschool, we typically play a simple toss game with these. I say a word, she sounds it out and tosses the letters into a bucket.
Super simple – super fun!
Love the bean bags we use for our spelling box? You can find those right here —> Alphabet Bean Bags
*Simple Tip – Have your kindergartner line the letters up in alphabetic order prior to your spelling practice. This simple prep makes for an easier spelling toss game.
Don’t have the room or budget for letter bean bags?
Simply add some Flash Cards as a budget friendly alternative! Flash cards are a super easy way to incorporate learning game play into your homeschool day. Not sure which ones to get? Check out some of these options!
Handwriting is a must and dry erase markers help make that task seem just a little less tedious.
This is a classic!
A huge part of practicing kindergarten spelling words is handwriting.
Most young children loathe handwriting, but unfortunately it’s a necessity.
We definitely don’t use the same method or tool for spelling practice every single day, however I do like to rely on the dry erase board a couple times a week.
I do this simply because it’s good handwriting practice, and my kindergartner loves it.
Have a budding artist on your hand that doesn’t like writing?
Try rewarding them with drawing pictures on the dry erase board after spelling practice is over!
Love this idea? Check out the dry erase board we have in our box!
Don’t want to use a dry erase board in your spelling box?
No problem!
Create a simple spelling journal instead! Using a budget friendly Composition Notebook, simply encourage your child to practice their spelling words traditionally by writing or (using some of your spelling box supplies) using stickers and stamps!
Letter Beads
Letter beads make a great addition to any spelling box!
If you have a hands on learner that enjoys threading beads or making jewelry, this is definitely the perfect activity to add into their kindergarten spelling practice routine.
I must say, this is one of my daughters favorite spelling activities by far.
Super simple, plus keeps her engaged for some time!
We chose this awesome Melissa and Doug Alphabet Bead Set simply because this is a product that can grow with my child.
I originally purchased these beads for name spelling practice in preschool. However, they also work amazing for kindergarten spelling and sight word practice!
As my daughter grows, the purpose for these bead will grow and change as well!
Super awesome, right?
I can definitely see her using these for jewelry making and gift giving down the road.
Don’t think your little would do well with beads?
Try using some simple Alphabet Blocks instead! While they might not fit in your spelling box, they could still make a super fun learning tool for the hands on kindergartner.
Magnetic Letters
I had to put something traditional in our box. I mean seriously. Every child needs a good set of magnetic letters, am I right?
The great thing about using magnetic letters for practicing spelling words?
Little supervision required!
If you’re busy doing spelling word practice over lunch or some other mundane task, this is a great go to option!
Your little can simply work on the fridge, a magnetic door, magnetic lap-desk, or even a cookie sheet!
Super versatile and fun.
Looking for the perfect letters for your box?
Unfortunately I bought ours so long ago, I don’t even know where they came from! However, you can find some super great options for your spelling box right here!
- Lowercase Magnetic Letters
- Wooden Alphabet Magnets
- Magnetic Chalkboard with Letters *BONUS – this one can totally double as your dry erase board too! Only issue is… it wont fit in the box.
Foam Stickers
Do you have a kiddo that loves stickers like I do? I think my kindergartner could fill an entire notebook with stickers in a single day if I would let her!
If your kindergarten kid has a love for stickers, this is a super easy way for them to get their sticker fix in – while learning.
Our go to is definitely foam stickers, but regular stickers work just fine too!
Love foam stickers, but want to take the foam beyond the spelling box?
Try adding these super fun Foam Alphabet Floor Tiles into your language time!
Seriously though, what’s better than building giant spelling words across the living room floor? So fun!
Letter Tiles
This is an easy option for any spelling box.
The great thing about letter tiles is that they can essentially be used anywhere. My kindergartner uses these tiles at the table, on the floor, or even in a reusable bag for on the go spelling practice!
One tub comes with more than enough tiles to spell any kindergarten spelling words. Love the tiles? You can find those right here —> Letter Tiles
Not sure you want to add letter tiles to your spelling box?
Try using the Scrabble Tiles you already have on hand as an quick and easy alternative!
Play-Doh & Stamps
If you have a kindergartner, chances are you already have some play-doh hanging out around your house.
If you don’t, no worries! A simple Starter Pack of Play-Doh will do!
Who doesn’t love Play-Doh? It’s a great way to make spelling practice seem like more play than work.
I typically only keep 1 color of play-doh in our spelling box at a time.
However, you can definitely keep an array of colors in yours if that’s your preference! My daughter is pretty much a pink-aholic, so pink is her number 1 go to anyway!
When it comes to the spelling practice part, your kindergartner simply presses the stamps into the play-doh and voila! Spelling practice simplified.
Simple Stamping tips
- Little stamps work best! You can find the perfect size stamps, at the perfect price point right here —> ABC Stamps
- These are awesome for homeschooling on the go! Toss your stamps in a small Zipper Pouch, grab a play-doh and you’re out the door! (I recently did this when we had a school day at the library, perfect travel spelling activity!)
- No INK!! Purchasing new stamps and only using them for this specific spelling activity is definitely the best option! If you use your stamps with ink pads, then follow up with play-doh… Some ink might linger and transfer to the doh. Can we say unwanted mess?
Have a child that loves play-doh, but might struggle with the use of stamping?
Try these fun options instead!
- Alphabet Cookie Cutters (plastic option)
- Alphabet Cookie Cutters (stainless steel option)
Other Kindergarten Helps and Ideas
Looking for even more kindergarten homeschool ideas? Check out these top posts!
- Hands on Ways to Practice Kindergarten Spelling Words
- Homeschool Pen Pal Pack for Kindergarten (printable)
- 19 Kindergarten Writing Prompts (printable)
- Top Kindergarten Supplies for Homeschool Looping
Homeschooling Preschool?
Check out these helps!
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Beautiful website! It has so much information.
Thank you!
I need to save this for later!
Such cute ideas. So many ways to learn
Love how you organized the items in the bottom of the spelling box. Where did you get those tray containers?!
Hey!
I got the tray containers from Michaels – You can check them out HERE
I will be saving this and coming back to! I am a fellow homeschooling mama going into our first kindergarten year. We have most of this stuff but not the letter stamps which I think would be so fun for spelling! Thanks for sharing!
Kindergarten can be such a fun blessing to teach! My daughter absolutely loves the stamps 🙂 Good luck with your first year!
I love everything about this. We use a playful approach to reading & writing, and I have some of these already but alphabet bean bags is new to me and my kiddos would love to be able to throw their school work around lol!!
Who wouldn’t like to throw their work around a little, haha 🙂
These are fantastic ideas to make working with letters and words fun! I’ll be pinning this to use with my son. The stamps, both on paper and on play-doh, are my favorite ideas. What kid doesn’t love to use stamps?
I love the letter bead idea! I will have to try that out with my 5-year-old. Thanks for sharing!
Definitely give it a try! It is great motor skill practice as well 🙂
These are such great ideas! I struggle with ideas for teaching my daughter her sight words, going to try some of these!
These will be perfect for sight word practice!
What a fun spelling box. The play-dough and bean bags are great ideas. I like that you include spelling in a variety of ways. Thanks for sharing.
So many good resources for kids!
What curriculum is pictured?
The Good & The Beautiful 🙂
Your a God send thanks for sharing and making life so much easier with your awesome ideas im so 😊 to have found you!
It always makes my heart super happy to know I’ve helped someone on this journey 💗💗