Synonym Swap Reading Game
Read a story and swap out words for their synonyms — 'big' becomes 'enormous,' 'happy' becomes 'ecstatic' — to expand vocabulary while reading together.
What You'll Need
- 1A familiar picture book or early reader
- 2Paper and pencil for word list (optional)
What You'll Need
A familiar picture book or early reader
Paper and pencil for keeping a word list (optional)
How to Play
Choose a familiar book.
Explain: "Fancy word reading! We swap normal words for fancier ones."
Pause at swappable words: "The bear was 'big.' Fancier word?"
Brainstorm: enormous, gigantic, colossal, mammoth.
Reread: "The bear was ENORMOUS." Be dramatic.
Pause at 5-8 words through the story.
Keep a swap list: big → enormous, happy → ecstatic.
Reread the whole story with all fancy words.
Tips
Synonym awareness is one of the hallmarks of a strong vocabulary. Children who know that "big" and "enormous" and "gigantic" are related have a much richer understanding of language than those who know only one word per concept.
The dramatic voice for fancy words is key. Your child will REMEMBER "colossal" if it was delivered with wide eyes and a booming voice. Emotion aids memory.
Keep the swap list visible — on the fridge or in a notebook. Review it periodically: "Remember when we found 'minuscule' for small? Can you use it today?"
This works with any age-appropriate book. Easy books with simple words actually work BETTER because there are more opportunities to swap.
Don't swap every word — pick 5-8 per reading. Too many swaps makes the activity exhausting instead of fun.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 20 min, with 0 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: a familiar picture book or early reader, paper and pencil for word list (optional).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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