What to do with this activity?

This is a speeded up version of classic scrabble that your child might prefer. It uses the letter tiles from Scrabble, but not the board.

• Choose a space where you can spread out – either a kitchen table, or the floor.
• Give each player 7 letters but keep them face down until you are ready to start.
• Place all the other letters face down, but keep a couple of “u” tiles handy.
• When everyone is ready, each player turns over their own tiles and tries to form a word, or several words in a crossword shape.
• The first player to use all seven letters shouts “take 2” and everyone must then take two more tiles and try to form words, or add to words, in their own crossword.
• The individual crosswords can be dismantled and re-arranged by a player if it helps to use their letters.
• If no player can form a word, it can be agreed that each player can pick up two tiles to get the game moving again.
• If a player gets a “q”, they are allowed to take one of the “u” letters in addition to the two tiles picked up.
• Continue play until there are no more tiles left to draw. The player who creates the first complete crossword when the tiles run out is the winner.