Year 1 English Games
Free english games for Year 1 (ages 5โ6), each with a suggested starting level. Matched to the NZ Curriculum.
Look, cover and spell words from memory.
Start with: 3-letter wordsUnscramble letters using picture clues.
Start with: 3 lettersListen and find Dolch sight words.
Start with: Primer listFind the word that rhymes.
Start with: Same endingsLetter names, upper and lower case, first sounds and ABC order.
Start with: Upper & lower case, First soundsBeginning sounds, blending, digraphs and magic e.
Start with: Blending (CVC)Find hidden words in themed puzzles, then print one to take away.
Start with: EasyGuess the hidden word before the alien's spaceship is built and flies away.
Start with: Easy๐ณ๐ฟ NZ Curriculum: Year 1 english
- Phase 1 (first year at school): Read and spell high-frequency words such as I, the, my, was, of and said.
Expectations summarised from The New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) โ Mathematics and Statistics and English, Years 0โ8, Ministry of Education | Te Tฤhuhu o te Mฤtauranga. Game alignment by Success Tutoring; not endorsed by the Ministry of Education.
English in Year 1
Year 1 is when many children start to read and work with numbers. These games give five- and six-year-olds quick, playful practice with the skills they are learning in class.
- Read the words aloud together. Hearing and saying words strengthens memory.
- Use new vocabulary from the games in everyday conversation.
- For spelling, encourage โlook, say, cover, write, checkโ away from the screen too.
- Praise effort and strategies (โyou sounded it out!โ), not just correct answers.
Frequently asked questions
What english should my child know in Year 1?
First sight words, rhyming words, and spelling simple three-letter words like cat, dog and sun.
Are these Year 1 english games free?
Yes. Every game is free to play in the browser, with no download and no sign-up needed.
Which level should a Year 1 child start on?
Each game on this page shows a suggested starting level for Year 1. Move up a level after getting three stars two or three times in a row.
Extra help with Year 1 english
Success Tutoring tutors help children build confidence and get ahead in english.