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Digraph Word Search: Free Printable Game for Reception

  • ForReception
  • StageEarly Years
  • CostFree
  • FormatPrintable PDF
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Digraph Word Search is a free printable game for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children hunt for words that contain the sh, ch and th sounds, then read each one aloud. It takes about 10 minutes, needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and the answers.

It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

The sheet is a word search with a list of hidden words beside it. Children read a word from the list, look carefully across the grid and find it. Every word contains the sh, ch or th sound. Saying each word aloud before and after finding it helps children link the sound they hear to the two letters that make it. A grown up can sit alongside to read, point and cheer.

  • SHIP
  • FISH
  • CHIP
  • THIN
  • SHOP
  • CHAT
  • BATH
  • DISH
  • MOTH
  • RICH

What is a digraph?

A digraph is two letters that together make one sound. In sh, the s and h do not make their usual sounds. Side by side, they make a single new sound. The pairs ch and th work in the same way. Children in Reception meet digraphs as part of early phonics, when they learn that one sound can be written with more than one letter.

Word searches suit this stage because they ask children to look closely at the order of letters. To find a word, a child scans the grid, spots a starting letter and checks that the rest of the word follows. That careful looking helps them notice that sh, ch and th sit together as a pair. Saying the word aloud links the sounds to the letters.

Skills and curriculum link

  • Phonics
  • Word spotting
  • Reading
  • Letter recognition
  • Listening for sounds

This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.

Framework Subject or area Strand Year
Early Years Foundation Stage Literacy Word Reading Reception

What children will be able to do

  • I can spot the sounds sh, ch and th in words.
  • I can read the words I find.
  • I can sort words by their sound.

Ideas to share with your child

  • Two letters, one soundExplain that some sounds need two letters to write them. Point at sh, ch and th on the sheet and say each sound slowly together.
  • Listen firstSay a word aloud and stretch the sound at the start or end. Ask your child what they can hear before they look at the letters.
  • Sound, not letter namesUse the sounds the letters make, not their alphabet names. Say the sound for sh, not the names of s and h.
  • Check by readingWhen a word is found, read it aloud together. If it sounds right and the letters match the list, it is a good find.

Key words

  • DigraphTwo letters that work together to make one sound, like sh, ch and th.
  • SoundWhat you hear when you say part of a word out loud.
  • LetterA shape we write to show a sound. Words are made from letters.
  • GridThe box of small squares that holds the letters in a word search.
  • Hidden wordA word that is tucked inside the grid until you spot it.
  • Word listThe list of words you are looking for in the grid.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
  2. Read the word list aloud together. Say each word slowly and listen for the sh, ch or th sound.
  3. Choose one word and look for it on the grid. Point to the first letter, then check that the next letters follow.
  4. Say each word aloud when you find it. Talk about which sound you can hear and which two letters make it.
  5. Check with page 2. Come back to the sheet another day, because repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.

Help, stretch and game ideas

If it feels too hard

Find one word together, then let your child try the next alone. Point to the letters to look for first. Use a finger to move along the grid slowly. Cover part of the grid with paper so there is less to scan at once.

To stretch confident children

Sort the words you find into three groups: sh, ch and th. Draw three columns and write each word in the right one. Then think of one more word for each group and say it aloud. Listen for the sound before you write it.

Make it a game

Race a grown up to find the most words. Use a different coloured pencil each so you can see who found what. Say each word aloud when you find it. Stop after a few minutes and count up. Swap who starts next time.

Talk about it

  • Which sound can you hear at the start of this word?
  • Can you find a word with ch in it?
  • Can you think of another word that has sh in it?
  • What two letters make the th sound?
  • Which word was easiest to spot, and why?
  • Can you hear the sound at the end of any word instead?

Take it off the page

Sound hunt

Walk around the house or garden and look for things with sh, ch or th in their names. Say each name aloud and listen for the sound.

Playdough digraphs

Roll playdough into letters and join two together to make sh, ch and th. Say the sound each time you make a pair.

Three plate sort

Label three paper plates sh, ch and th. Write words on small slips of paper and sort them onto the right plate, reading each one aloud.

Who it is for

Parents

Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. Say the words aloud together and keep it light. About 10 minutes is plenty. Praise the listening and looking, not just the words found.

Teachers

Use it as a phonics starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. It supports Word Reading in the Literacy area of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups.

Home educators

Print it as part of a wider reading plan. It pairs well with phonics books, sound games and everyday talk. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or return to it a few weeks later as a quick recap.

Where this fits in learning to read

Before this sheet, children learn the sounds of single letters and begin to blend them to read short words. They also practise listening for the first sound in a word. These skills make it easier to spot a pair of letters that makes one sound.

After this sheet, children go on to meet more digraphs and longer words, then read them in short sentences. Spotting and reading sh, ch and th words here builds the habit of looking closely at letter pairs, which they will use in every book they read.

Check it worked

Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.

  1. Which sound can you hear at the start of this word?
  2. Can you find a word with ch in it?
  3. Can you think of another word that has sh in it?

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is Digraph Word Search for?

It is written for Reception, ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is best shared with a grown up, so a child can talk about the sounds and get help when they need it.

What will children practise?

They practise spotting and reading words that contain the sh, ch and th sounds. They also build word spotting skills and learn to look closely at letters, one pair at a time.

What is a digraph?

A digraph is two letters that make one sound when they sit together. The sheet uses sh, ch and th. Children do not need to know the word digraph to play, but you can introduce it.

How long does it take?

It takes about 10 minutes. Some children will want to carry on, while others will be happy to stop sooner. You can come back to the sheet another day and try again.

What if it feels too hard?

Find one word together, then let your child try the next alone. Say the word aloud, point to the letters to look for and use a finger to track along the grid. Keep it short and relaxed.

Is it free, and do I need colour printing?

Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. No colour is needed. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, and you only need a pencil to play.

Can teachers and home educators use it?

Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity with no preparation beyond printing. Home educators and tutors can use it alone or as part of a wider phonics plan.

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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.

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