However, teaching children to identify words that rhyme doesn’t happen in one day. The curriculum guide may say, “The children will learn to rhyme today,” but you and I know it takes many, many, many activities where children listen, speak, sing, and chant to develop that skill. Traditional nursery rhymes, songs, and books are the most natural way to nurture rhymes, but here are a few more activities where children can rhyme in a “playful” way.
Handy Rhymes
Have children extend their arms as they say pairs of words that rhyme and sing to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.”
sun (extend right hand)
fun (extend left hand)
Those words rhyme.
sun (extend right hand)
fun (extend left hand)
Those words rhyme.
sun (extend right hand)
fun (extend left hand)
Those words rhyme.
They both end with “un.” (Roll arms around as you say this.)
*As they progress, the teacher says a word as children extend their right hand. Children say their own rhyming word as they extend their left hand.
Rhyme Detectives
Tell the children that they will get to be detectives and listen for words that rhyme. You’ll say two words, and if they rhyme they put their pinkies up. Pinkies down if the words don’t rhyme.
For example: Cat - hat (pinkies up), run - dog (pinkies down).
Rhythm Rhyme
Start a beat by slapping legs two times, clapping hands two times, and snapping fingers two times. On the first snapping beat the teacher says a word. On the second snapping beat the children say a word that rhymes.
Slap, slap, clap, clap, snap, snap.
Slap, slap, clap, clap, mitten. (Teacher says.)
Slap, slap, clap, clap, kitten. (Children say a word that rhymes.)
Rhyme Ball
You will need a ball, beanbag, or other object to toss for this game. Children sit or stand in a circle. The teacher says a word and then tosses the ball to a child. As the child catches the ball, she must say a word that rhymes.
Rhyme Bag Homework
Give each child a paper lunch bag and ask them to bring in two objects from home that rhyme. As children share their items the following day encourage them to think of other words that rhyme.
Rhyming Puzzles
Glue rhyming pictures on opposite sides of a 3” x 5” index cards. Cut a puzzle shape between pictures. Mix up and have children put rhymes together.
*Make games with socks, mittens, shoes, etc. where children use clothes pins to put the rhyming pictures together.
Hint! Mr. Google has some great free printables with rhyming pictures.
Sentence Puzzles
Write rhymes on sentence strips. Cut between the words and let children put them in the correct order in a pocket chart.
Riddle Rhyme Game
Let children make up their own rhymes in this game. First, they choose an object in the room. Next, they say a word that it rhymes with, along with another clue.
For example: “This rhymes with hair and it is something you sit on.” “This
rhymes with look and it is something you read.”
