Compound Word Activities for Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten

Learning how to blend and segment compound words can be complicated for little learners so I have some ideas that will help them learn this skill. Manipulating compound words is an important skill to strengthen a child’s phonological awareness skills.

You can find the compound word printables here!

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Compound Word Activities

Compound words are two small words that come together to form a new word. This is a phonological awareness skill that all students need! When students practice blending they are putting two smaller words together into a compound word. When students are segmenting they are separating the compound word into two individual words.

Add Movement to Any Activity: A multi-sensory approach is key to establishing and creating more neural pathways. This will be helpful in developing a concept of compound words in young learners. 

• Blending: Move the right hand saying the first word, move the left hand saying the second word, then clap saying the compound word.
• Segmenting: Clap saying the compound word, then open the right hand to say the first word, and open the left hand to say the second word.

Blending Compound Word Activities

Compound Word Trains! Have students build trains while building compound words. Each train engine shows 2 pictures and the words for the student to combine together. Then, they find the train car that features the new compound word. Throw all the pieces into a sensory bin for a great way to make it more engaging during your literacy centers. 

Compound Word Puzzles! These simple compound word puzzles could be used in a pocket chart at a literacy center or played on the floor or at a table. Students will identify the 2 pictures of the smaller words, blend them together, and then find the matching compound word puzzle piece. Put matching dot stickers on the back to make these self-checking.

Compound Word Plants! The adorable plant puzzles have 2 pictures on the leaves, and students combine them to form the new word and find the matching pot. Young readers will love this hands-on activity to make a new word. 

Compound Word Clip Cards! This is a great way to give young readers some extra fine motor practice while they blend compound words. Children combine the 2 pictures and clip the compound word. Mark on the back of the card on the correct answer to make these self-checking for a fun way to make it more independent for literacy centers.

Compound Word Sweets! Build the cupcakes by completing the compound word puzzles. Students can look at the pictures or use the words to figure out the compound word. If early readers are struggling, be sure to give them examples of compound words and practice blending and segmenting together in a small group or individually. 

Segmenting Compound Word Activities

Compound Word Trucks! Help fill the truck bed with the correct words to make the compound word on the dump truck. Put all these compound word cards in a sensory bin for more fun! Teaching compound words to early readers can be done with read alouds, hands-on compound word games, and in everyday language. 

Compound Word Chains! Help children develop dexterity and fine motor skills while building compound word chains. Students begin with the compound word and then find the matching segmented words to complete the chain. Young learners will like the different ways they can build different words to practice this new skill. 

Compound Word Treasure! Your students will adore these treasure chests and jewels compound word-matching pieces. The compound word is on the treasure chest, and students segment it and find the 2 jewels that match. Give students a strong foundation in phonological awareness skills by practicing these skills with hands-on compound word games. 

Compound Word Puzzles! Give students a simple compound word puzzle to practice this phonological skill. It is a three-piece puzzle with the compound word across the top and the segmented words underneath. Put matching dot stickers on the back to make this self-checking.

Compound Word Popcorn! A fun game to play while practicing segmenting compound words. Students identify the compound word on the popcorn box and then fill the box with the popcorn that has the matching  segment parts. 

A lot of repeated exposure and practice is one of the ways I really ensure understanding of compound words in my classroom. Grab your lesson plans and pick a few compound word activities for some different ways to practice this important phonological awareness skill. These compound word activities are great for morning tubs, arrival time, a small group, literacy tubs, table time, centers, or file folder games. Grab the compound activities bundle for all the picture cards!

For more fun activities for literacy centers, check out these blog posts. 

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