Rhyme Game: Stand Up, Sit Down!

This rhyming game interactive activity helps young learners build phonological awareness by connecting sounds to movement. Students are shown two images side by side. The teacher says each word aloud, and students decide to stand up if the word rhymes or stay seated if they don’t rhyme.

This activity has been created by an early year’s teacher and takes into account the following best practice elements:

• Auditory First: At a young age, children need to hear rhymes to truly understand them. Visuals support engagement, but the teacher’s voice is essential. Saying the words aloud ensures students are practicing listening skills, not just guessing based on pictures.
• Phonological Awareness: Recognizing rhymes is a foundational literacy skill. It helps children tune into the sounds of language, which is critical for later reading success.
• Movement Matters: Young learners thrive when they can move. Standing up and sitting down keeps energy flowing, helps with focus, and makes the learning experience playful and memorable.

How to Play this Rhyming Game in the Classroom

• Show the Images – display two pictures side by side for the class.
• Say the Words Aloud – the teacher clearly says each word as the images appear. This keeps the focus on listening rather than guessing from visuals.
• Student Response – stand up if the words rhyme or stay seated if they don’t rhyme
• Keep the Pace Move quickly from pair to pair to keep energy high and attention sharp.
• Encourage Movement Remind students that standing and sitting is part of the fun—movement helps them stay engaged while reinforcing auditory learning.

Download and Explore Rhyming Words Today

Use the dropdown menu to explore rhyming words with your students today and choose between the Google Slides version or the PowerPoint version.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator.

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