By fourth grade, many students have the basic mechanics of reading down—but that doesn’t mean they’re confident or fluent readers. They need meaningful practice with complex words, vocabulary, and comprehension—but they also need to stay engaged. That’s where well-designed reading games for fourth graders come in.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite reading activities and game boards that are perfect for upper elementary students. These low-prep options combine fun with focused skill-building, so your students stay motivated while strengthening their reading foundations.
Why Reading Games Work in Upper Elementary
By grade four, students are encountering multisyllabic words, content-rich texts, and more abstract vocabulary. While they may be beyond basic phonics, they still benefit from reviewing decoding patterns, spelling rules, and fluency skills—especially through repeated exposure.
The best reading activities for 4th graders combine:
- Skill reinforcement with higher-level vocabulary
- Opportunities for choice and independence
- Game-based formats that encourage repeated practice
Games offer just that—especially when paired with targeted phonics or word study goals. For more ideas on how I use phonics instruction in upper grades, check out 6 Simple Strategies for Teaching Phonics That Actually Work.
Classroom-Tested Reading Game Boards That Work
I’ve designed a range of reading game boards that keep students engaged while they practice phonics rules, vocabulary, and reading fluency. In my Phonics Game Boards Bundle, each board targets a specific skill—like vowel teams, affricate sounds, or the CK rule—and follows a consistent format that students can play independently or in partners.
These game boards are perfect for centers, word work, or small-group reinforcement. They give students the repetition they need without feeling like drill work. If you’re introducing or reviewing spelling rules, this post about understanding phonics rules.
Add Variety with Bump the Word
One of my favorite additions to any fourth grade literacy block is Bump the Word. This no-prep game combines reading, pattern recognition, and just enough competition to keep students fully engaged. Players read words and try to bump their partner off the board—making it perfect for reinforcing word-level reading in a fun way.
Bump the Word supports sound-spelling connections and helps students develop fluency with more advanced word patterns. It’s ideal for students who need a confidence boost while practicing tricky multisyllabic or rule-based words.
To see how word bump fits into a literacy center rotation, visit Say Hello to Word Bump: The Phonics Game Students Love.
Give Students Ownership with Choice Boards
By fourth grade, students are ready for more independence in their learning—and choice is one of the best ways to boost engagement. My ELA Reading and Reading Response Choice Boards are a flexible way to let students pick their reading tasks while still targeting comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and grammar.
These boards come in a bundle with other ELA choice boards and can be used during literacy centers, for early finishers, or as part of a homework routine. Each board includes r options that encourage students to apply what they’re learning in new and creative ways. For more ideas on integrating choice into your reading block, check out ELA Choice Boards: The Ultimate Classroom Multitool.
Make Reading Practice Fun Again
If your fourth graders are disengaged or rushing through their work, it may be time to swap worksheets for games. A mix of reading game boards, partner activities like Bump the Word, and independent options like ELA choice boards allows you to differentiate while keeping students motivated.
Whether you’re working with students who need intervention or just want to bring more energy to your reading block, these games and activities can help you strike the right balance between structure and fun.
Explore My TPT Store
Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Primed for Primary, for no-prep literacy games, reading choice boards, and Science of Reading-aligned resources designed to make skill-building fun and effective.
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