What it practises
Rapid visual recognition — seeing the correct spelling instantly without sounding it out letter by letter.
Games Built from their actual word list
Every game on spelling.live uses the words your child is currently practising — not random vocabulary. Games are unlocked as your child earns points, so there is always something new to work towards.
🎈 Balloon Pop Early years · Starts immediately
Words float up the screen as colourful balloons. Children pop the balloon with the correct spelling — wrong spellings float harmlessly past. The faster they respond, the higher the streak bonus.
Why it helps
Repetition through play. Children see their tricky words dozens of times per session without it feeling like drilling.
Words used
Only the words they are currently learning. Words they find hardest appear more often.
Parent tip
Play alongside them. Saying the word out loud as it pops reinforces the audio–visual link.
⚡ Spell Sprint Fluent · Starts immediately
Four spellings appear at once — only one is correct. Tap the right one before the timer runs out. Each correct answer builds a streak multiplier; a wrong tap resets it. The neon visuals and countdown create just enough pressure to sharpen focus.
What it practises
Visual discrimination under time pressure — exactly the skill tested in formal spelling assessments.
Why it helps
Children learn to spot the difference between near-identical spellings (receive / recieve / receeve) quickly and confidently.
Words used
Their school list and any words flagged as tricky. Distractors are generated from common misspelling patterns.
Parent tip
After a session, ask which word tripped them up. One word, discussed briefly, is often enough to fix it.
🔍 Word Search Unlocks at 200 points
A letter grid filled with their current word list — hidden horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. Children find and highlight each word. A calm, focused activity that works well as a wind-down after an active session.
What it practises
Letter-pattern recognition and careful scanning — children must hold the full spelling in mind while searching.
Why it helps
Slower and more deliberate than Balloon Pop or Spell Sprint. Suits children who benefit from a lower-pressure format.
Words used
All words in the active list. Longer words are especially valuable here — the grid makes full letter sequences visible.
Parent tip
Good for evenings when energy is low. Five minutes of Word Search counts as genuine practice.
🧩 Word Builder Early years: 300 pts · Fluent: 450 pts
Scrambled letters are scattered on a board. Children connect them in sequence to spell the word — drawing a line from letter to letter. The fluent version uses a larger board with longer, more complex words.
What it practises
Letter-order recall — the muscle memory of which letter comes next. Different from recognition; closer to active recall.
Why it helps
Children who can recognise a word but still misspell it when writing often need this mode. It bridges the gap between knowing and doing.
Words used
Tricky words from their list. The game selects words that have caused the most errors in previous practice sessions.
Parent tip
If they struggle with a word here, that is the word to focus on in handwriting practice next.
🔗 Challenge a friend Available after any game
After completing any game, share a challenge link — via WhatsApp, text, or any app. The recipient plays the exact same words and sees how their score compares. Grandparents, siblings, classmates, and teachers can all join in.
What it practises
The same words, with added motivation. Children tend to focus harder when someone else is going to see their score.
Why it helps
Learning spelling can feel solitary. The challenge link turns it into a shared moment — which is often what keeps the habit going.
Who can play
Anyone with the link. They do not need a spelling.live account to accept a challenge.
Parent tip
Challenge them yourself. Losing to a parent is surprisingly motivating for children who find practice tedious.
How games unlock
Balloon Pop / Spell Sprint
Available immediately. No points needed — start playing as soon as words are loaded.
Word Search
Unlocks at 200 points. Earned through regular practice sessions across all modes.
Word Builder (Early years)
Unlocks at 300 points.
Word Builder (Fluent)
Unlocks at 450 points. More complex board for older children.