How to Teach Compound Words to Preschoolers
If you’re wondering how to teach compound words to preschoolers, you’re in the right place! Teaching little ones how two small words come together to make a brand-new word can be a lot of fun—and it’s a great fit for your language arts activities for homeschoolers.
Kids love when learning feels like playing, and compound words are perfect for that. Think “rainbow,” “cupcake,” or “sunshine”—these words are fun to say, easy to picture, and simple to break apart.
Whether you’re teaching at home or in a small group, there are lots of hands-on ways to help preschoolers understand this skill. From picture cards to simple games, we’ve got activities that are quick to set up and easy for kids to enjoy.
In this post, you’ll find ideas that are playful, age-appropriate, and actually work. You don’t need anything fancy—just a little creativity and some curiosity!
Teaching fun compound words doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few engaging activities and some playful practice, your preschooler can start to recognize how two words come together to form a new one. It’s a great way to build vocabulary and boost early reading skills—while keeping things light and enjoyable.
What are easy ways to teach compound words to preschoolers?
Start with simple, familiar words your child already knows. Use pictures, toys, or flashcards to show how two words combine to make one new word. Fun examples like “snowman” or “toothbrush” help kids understand the idea. Keep it visual and hands-on, and repeat often to build confidence.
What do kids learn from compound word activities?
These activities build strong vocabulary and help kids hear how sounds work in words. They also support reading comprehension, listening skills, and breaking apart and creating new words. Best of all, kids feel proud when they “figure out” a word independently.
How to Teach Compound Words to Preschoolers
Here are three simple, engaging activities you can try at home with your young learner. Each one helps preschoolers practice hearing and seeing compound words in a playful way.
Compound Word Picture Match – Print or draw pictures that go together (like “butter” and “fly”) and have your child match them to create new words.
- Try these compound words matching cards.
- This compound words matching activity is great, too!
Build-a-Word with Toys – Use small objects or toys (e.g., toy sun + toy glasses = “sunglasses”) to make actual compound words come to life.
Clap It Out Game – Say a compound word and have your child clap once for each smaller word they hear. For example, “mailbox” = mail (clap) + box (clap).
Fun Compound Word Activities for Homeschoolers
These themed ideas keep your compound word practice fresh and fun, whether you’re focusing on crafts, printables, or books.
Compound Word Crafts
Try a “compound word collage” where your child cuts out two pictures from a magazine and glues them together to form one new word. It’s a simple, no-prep way to combine creativity with word learning. Kids love showing off their creations!
- Construction Paper Rainbow Craft
- C is for Cupcake Preschool Craft
- Popsicle Stick Toothbrush Craft Idea
- Mixed Media Sunglasses Craft
Compound Word Worksheets
Use printable pages with pictures and word parts to help preschoolers match and write compound words visually. Look for worksheets with big images and not too much text so they stay age-appropriate and engaging.
Compound Word Books
Read picture books that naturally highlight compound words. Books like Sunflower House or The Rain Came Down offer many fun words to spot together. As you read, pause and ask, “What two words do you hear in this one?”
Mrs. Sippi’s Mystery Garden: Where Nothing Is as It Seems, Thanks to Compound Words
This imaginative story invites kids into a garden full of surprises, where compound words grow like plants. Each page reveals a new word made by combining two things that don’t usually go together—perfect for helping little ones “see” how compound words work. It’s playful, silly, and great for getting preschoolers curious about language.
Thumbtacks, Earwax, Lipstick, Dipstick: What Is a Compound Word?
This rhyming book uses humor and colorful cartoons to explain what compound words are in a way that’s easy for young kids to understand. The silly word combinations make it fun to read out loud, and preschoolers love guessing what comes next. It’s a lighthearted way to build vocabulary and phonological awareness.
Doughnut Downpour, Farmhouse Folklore: Compound Word Pairs from A to Z
This A to Z book shares a collection of clever compound word pairs, with engaging illustrations and short, fun phrases. Preschoolers can explore familiar words while being introduced to new ones in a creative and structured format. It’s a great pick for daily reading and word play together.
Teaching compound words to preschoolers is a fun and simple way to grow language and early reading skills. With hands-on activities, playful games, and everyday materials, your child will start recognizing and creating new words with confidence. These ideas are easy to use, meaningful for young learners, and perfect for your homeschool routine.
Hi, I’m Tara—mom of three, former teacher, and now full-time homeschooler. After years in both preschool and public school classrooms, I brought the learning home and never looked back. At Homeschool Happiness, I share real-life tips, simple activities, and encouragement to help you create a homeschool life that feels good for your family—one filled with connection, laughter, and meaningful moments. We’re in this together!
