Bring Phonics to Life with 850+ Interactive Games — Free for Teachers!

Research shows that systematic, synthetic phonics gives children the strongest reading and spelling foundations. Phonics Hero has this at its core. Our education experts have created over 850 fun, structured and motivating phonics games that take children step by step through the synthetic phonics process — from learning sounds to reading sentences. They’re free for teachers to use as part of whole-class phonics teaching.

The Games Move Systematically through the Phonics Skills:

Step 1 – Knowing the Sounds

Children learn small groups of sounds (4–8 at a time) and match each sound with its letter or letters. Examples:

Plenty of practice at a single sound.

Identify and discriminate between sounds.

Recognise sounds in larger sets.

Step 2 – Read with These Sounds

Children blend the sounds they’ve learned to read decodable words, giving them success and confidence right from the start. Examples:

Match each word to the picture.

Read nonsense words to strengthen decoding.

Build fluency with quick-fire reading.

Step 3 – Spell with These Sounds

Phonics Hero makes spelling the natural reverse of reading. Children listen to a word, identify its sounds, and select the matching letters. Examples:

Substitute and manipulate sounds.

Spell words independently.

Proofread to correct errors.

Step 4 – Read Camera/Tricky Words

Children encounter irregular, high-frequency words like ‘the’ and ‘was’. Our games help them recognise and remember these through context and repetition. Examples:

Get familiar with tricky words.

Hear and identify tricky words.

Build fluency through speed reading.

Step 5 – Spell Camera/Tricky Words

Children practise spelling these irregular words so they can confidently use them in sentences and writing. Examples:

Spell tricky words with support.

Unscramble and order letters.

Spell independently with no hints.

Step 6 – Read Sentences

Children bring all their phonics skills together to read full sentences and short passages, consolidating fluency and comprehension.

Decide if the sentence matches the image.

Match the sentence to the picture.

Complete the sentence.

All 44 Sounds, in 3 Accents

Phonics Hero covers all 44 sounds of English, in Australian, American, and British accents. Our games are mapped to three sequences: Playing with Sounds, Letters and Sounds, and the NSW Syllabus. Compare the orders.

Games That Build Phonics Skills — Not Just Hand-Eye Coordination

Phonics Hero games are designed to test phonics understanding, not gaming skills. Children don’t need quick reflexes — they need to listen, blend and segment! Watch some examples:

Try Whole-Class Games – Free for Teachers