Catching Fireflies

Firefly Word Families

Check out this adorable activity that helps children sort words into word families! Kids will catch each "firefly" word and put it in the right word family jar. It's the perfect early literacy activity for summer vacation! Read on to find out more.

Doesn't it seem like a childhood rite of passage to spend warm, sticky summer nights outdoors catching fireflies? While we can't promise these fireflies will light up the night, we can tell you that this activity is a great way to fit in some early literacy practice over the summer. The only items you'll need to do this activity are six mason jars and this free printable PDF file from Super Teacher Worksheets!

This is such an easy activity to set up! All you have to do is cut out the word family labels and affix one to each mason jar with some tape. The mason jars will look like this:

Now it's time for the little ones to take over! Here's what kids will do: 

Cut out the firefly words from the printable PDF file. 

Mix up all the firefly words on a flat surface to make sure they are randomized.

Sort all of the firefly words into the correct word family mason jars.  

There are a lot of ways you can change up this activity for kids. Here are a few ideas: 

  • Set a timer and have children try to beat the clock. 
  • Ask children to read each word aloud as they sort them into the correct jars.
  • Use the blank fireflies included in the printable PDF file to make your own words for the word families included in this activity, or use the blank labels to make additional word family mason jars. 

We want to hear from you, friends! What kind of word family activities do you like to do with your little ones? If you did this one with them, how did they like it? Drop us a line in the comment section below!

Oh, and if you're looking for more great word family resources to keep those early literacy skills going strong over the summer months, you'll want to check out our Super Teacher Worksheets Word Families Collection. It's one of the newest collections on our website, and we think you'll love the huge selection of phonics activities there. Check it out today!

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