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Creating original materials was one of my favorite parts of Montessori training. One material I created is within the Blue Series and involves one of my favorite concepts – Compound Words for Kids.
![Kids will have fun learning about compound words with this activity!](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Compound-Word-Activity-for-Kids.jpg.webp)
Compound Words for Kids Activity for Preschoolers
Compound words can be a lot of fun for kids. Think about it. My five-year-old giggles when he puts two words like “butter” and “fly” together to make “butterfly.”
“Mom, how can “butter” “fly”?”
Jokes are a big hit with kids this age, and compound words play right into that love!
Putting two words together like “butter” and “fly” is more than simply fun, the exercise is a great one for reading comprehension and writing. Children will learn a great deal from having fun. Isn’t that the way it should be?
What is a Compound Word?
So, we have established that kids have a blast learning compound words. Wordplay, in general, is always a big hit. I love introducing this blue series lesson to kids.
How exciting to learn that when you combine two words not only do you have a NEW word, but you have a word with a COMPLETELY different meaning!
Mind blow, right?
![Young child at the library](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Young-child-at-the-library.png.webp)
There are three types of compound words. First, we have open compound words, such as school bus, then a closed compound word, such as applesauce, and finally, a hyphenated compound word, such as well-being.
Compound Words for Kids
I put together this huge list of compound word examples. And, you know? It was a blast gathering these examples for kids!
- airplane
- airport
- applesauce
- armpit
- arrowhead
- babysitter
- backbone
- backpack
- ballpark
- ballgame
- barefoot
- barnyard
- baseball
- basketball
- bathtub
- beachball
- bedroom
- blackberry
- blackbird
- blackboard
- blackhole
- blueberry
- bluebird
- bluegrass
- bobcat
- bodyguard
- bookcase
- bookmark
- bookshelf
- bookstore
- bookworm
- bowtie
- boxcar
- brainwash
- bulldog
- bullfrog
- bulldozer
- bunkbed
- buttercup
![Butterfly](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Butterfly.png.webp)
- butterfly
- buttermilk
- campfire
- campground
- cardboard
- carpool
- cartwheel
- catfish
- caveman
- chalkboard
- cheeseburger
- cheesecake
- chopsticks
- classroom
- clipboard
- copycat
- courthouse
- cowboy
- cowgirl
- crabapple
- daydream
- daybreak
- doghouse
- doorway
- doorknob
- downstairs
- downtown
- dragonfly
- drawbridge
- drawstring
- driveway
- drumstick
- dugout
- dustpan
- earache
- eardrum
- earring
- earthquake
- earthworm
- eggnog
- eggshell
- eggplant
- evergreen
- everyone
- everything
- eyeball
- eyebrow
- eyeglasses
- eyelash
- eyelids
- fingernail
- fingerprint
- firecracker
- firefly
- firehose
- firehouse
- fireman
- fireplace
- firepole
- fireproof
- fishbowl
- fishtail
- flagpole
- flashlight
- football
- footstep
- footprint
- golfball
- groundhog
- gumball
- hairband
- hairclip
- haircut
- hammerhead
- handbag
- handcuff
- handshake
- headlight
- headlamp
- homesick
- honeybee
- honeycomb
- honeydew
- honeymoon
- honeycomb
- hotdog
- housefly
![Housefly](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Housefly.png.webp)
- humpback
- iceberg
- junkyard
- laptop
- lapdog
- lightbulb
- lighthouse
- mailbox
- mailman
- matchbox
- milkshake
- moonlight
- notebook
- notecard
- pancake
- pinwheel
- playground
- playhouse
- policeman
- policecar
- ponytail
- quicksand
- railroad
- rainbow
- raincoat
- rattlesnake
- rearend
- rowboat
- sailboat
- skyscraper
- spaceship
- starfish
- starlight
- stoplight
- stopwatch
- sunflower
- sunglasses
- sunshine
- tablespoon
- tailbone
- teacup
- teaspoon
- tophat
- tugboat
- turntable
- upstairs
- wallflower
- wallpaper
- watermelon
- wheelbarrow
- wristband
- zookeeper
Compound Words Activity
This language activity is great because pre-readers can participate in the activity by finding the puzzle pieces that fit. Simply download this document, print it on card stock, and cut it. Laminate before cutting for safekeeping.
![compound_words_post_feature](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/compound_words_post_feature.jpg.webp)
Invite the child to the activity. Place one word (or one-half of the compound word) on the left side of a mat or table. You can create a column to the left. The other puzzle pieces can be left in a pile for the child to access to find a match.
![compound words activity for kids](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Compound-Word-Activity-for-Kids1.jpg.webp)
Materials
- Blue Cardstock
- Printer & Printer Paper
- Laminator
- Scissors
- Images from Computer (or elsewhere)
- Compound Words
![materials_compound_words](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/materials_compound_words.jpg.webp)
Images are on one side (for control of error and younger children) and words (for older children) on the other side of the card.
Approach
- Search for images that create compound words (Consider this step done. Here is my compound word images printable)
- Type or write the words that match the images
- Print out
![head_light_approach](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/head_light_approach.jpg.webp)
- Cut cardstock into cards sized to your liking
- Cut words and images out
![tooth_pick_images](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tooth_pick_images.jpg.webp)
- Glue words on one side of the card and images on the other side
- Laminate
![image_word](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/image_word.jpg.webp)
- Cut the cards in half in various “puzzle” patterns with one image/word on one side and one image/word on the other
- Introduce to your child
![tooth_pick_post](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tooth_pick_post.jpg.webp)
The control of error is the puzzle piece. I created each compound word to fit together with two puzzle pieces.
Use Concrete Objects & Images
My goal initially is to use these cards with concrete objects. I tried to choose compound words that would lend to matching with objects like “butterfly.” I can find a “butter” object and a “fly” object to use initially.
![Compound Words Activity Collage](https://h6y9m9p8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Compound-Words-Activity-Collage.jpg.webp)
Compound Word Activity Extensions
There are many possibilities with this activity. Here are a few ideas for you to explore with your kids!
- Create an artwork using one (or more) of the compound words
- Illustrate and write a story using the words
- Trace the words
- Write the words
- Match the words with the image
- Match the words with objects
- Give a child a bag of halves and strategically place the other halves around the classroom or home.
- Go on a Compound Words Hunt
Resources Mentioned in this Post
Related Reads
Thanks for reading!
Marnie