Word wheel maker

Turn the wheel and read a new word

Make a word wheel for a word family. The small wheel holds the ending and a window. The big wheel holds the first letters. Join them with a paper fastener and turn: a new first letter comes into the window each time, and your child reads the word.

Pick a design

Now: . Hundreds of designs to choose from.

Choose each part yourself

To keep a copy, choose “Save as PDF” as the printer. What you type stays on your device: it is not sent to us and not saved.

Your worksheet:

How to make your worksheet

  1. Pick a word family, or choose “Type your own words” and type words that end the same way.
  2. Print both pages on thick paper if you can.
  3. Cut out the two wheels. A grown-up cuts out the small window.
  4. Put the small wheel on top, push a paper fastener through the center marks, and turn.

The reading skill

A word wheel is practice in blending a first sound with an ending. Only the first sound changes on each turn, so a child sees and hears what the words share.

Made to line up

Both wheels are drawn at the same size, so each first letter lands in the window right beside the ending.

Words a beginner can read

The ready families are short words from our checked word sets. Words you type are grouped by their ending, with one wheel for each ending.

Good questions

Can I use my own words?

Yes. Choose “Type your own words” at the top of the word list and type them. What you type stays on your device.

What do I need?

Two printed pages, scissors and one paper fastener for each wheel.

How many words fit on one wheel?

Up to twelve first letters.

What paper should I use?

Thick paper or card works best. Plain paper works too if you glue it to a cereal box first.

Is it free?

Yes, with no sign-up and no limit.

Make another kind of sheet

Free · 2 minutes

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