Free Compound Words Worksheets With Pictures
Updated November 2026 · 5 free printables
Five printable compound words worksheets. The two first grade pages are picture math: sun + flower = sunflower, star + fish = starfish, cup + cake = cupcake, tooth + brush = toothbrush, then a second set with bird + house, egg + shell, pin + wheel and cow + bell.
About these printables
Every picture has its word under it.
Second graders match ten word halves (rain + bow, butter + fly, pop + corn) and write the whole word, then split twelve longer words into their two parts (snowflake, grasshopper, notebook). The third grade page uses ten compound words in sentences with a word bank. Answer keys on page 2.
At a glance
- Pages
- 5 free printables, one PDF each
- Ages
- 6 to 9
- Levels
- Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3
- Answer keys
- on page 2 of every PDF
- Paper
- US Letter and A4
- Price
- free, no sign-up needed to download
All 5 Free Compound Words Worksheets With Pictures, One by One
Here is a closer look at every page in this collection: what it practices, which grade it fits and a tip for each one.
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1. Compound Words Picture Math: Sun + Flower
Picture math with words: sun + flower = sunflower, star + fish = starfish, cup + cake = cupcake, dog + house = doghouse, tooth + brush = toothbrush, cat + fish = catfish. Each picture has its word under it, so first graders just join the two. Key on page 2. It is a first grade grammar sheet, ages 6 to 7, with pictures or a word bank so early readers can work on their own.
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2. Compound Word Picture Puzzles: Bird + House
A second set of picture sums with six new compound words: bird + house, egg + shell, shoe + box, pin + wheel, house + boat and cow + bell. Good right after the sunflower page, or as a quick center activity. Key on page 2. It is a first grade grammar sheet, ages 6 to 7, with pictures or a word bank so early readers can work on their own.
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3. Compound Words Matching Worksheet
Ten first halves (rain, finger, butter, snow, cup, bed, pine, gold, tooth, pop) and ten second halves to join with a line, then write the whole word: rainbow, fingerprint, butterfly, snowman, cupcake, bedroom, pineapple, goldfish, toothpaste, popcorn. Each first half fits only one second half. The key draws the lines and writes the words. It fits second grade grammar, ages 7 to 8, with the rule printed at the top when there is one to remember.
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4. Split the Compound Words
Twelve compound words to take apart: notebook = note + book, seashell = sea + shell, snowflake = snow + flake, grasshopper = grass + hopper, plus mailbox, doorbell, teapot, raincoat, bathtub, cowboy, sailboat and airplane. Key on page 2. It fits second grade grammar, ages 7 to 8, with the rule printed at the top when there is one to remember.
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5. Compound Words in Sentences
Ten sentences and a bank of ten compound words: raincoat, airplane, snowman, backpack, bedtime, firefly, popcorn, playground, rainbow and goldfish. Kids read for meaning to pick the word (A ___ glowed in the dark yard). Key on page 2. It is a third grade grammar sheet, ages 8 to 9, where children write whole words and sentences on their own.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Cover half of a compound word with a finger and read each part on its own.
- Draw a quick picture for each part of a new compound word: rain and bow, butter and fly.
- After the matching page, ask which halves can make another word (snowball, sunfish).
Did you know?
- Some compound words do not mean what their parts say: a butterfly is not made of butter.
- English often joins two words into one over time: to-day was once written with a hyphen.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Cut compound words in half on cards and play a matching game.
- Invent new compound words and draw them (a cloudhouse, a pancakeboat).
- Find compound words in a favorite picture book.
How to print
Click Download PDF and print at 100% on US Letter or A4 paper. Page 1 is the worksheet and page 2 is the answer key, so choose “page 1” in the print dialog if you only want the practice page. Every worksheet is free for home, homeschool and classroom use, so print as many copies as you need.
Frequently asked questions
What is a compound word?
Two small words joined into one new word, like sun + flower = sunflower or rain + coat = raincoat. Often the meaning comes from both parts: a raincoat is a coat for the rain.
What compound words are good for first grade?
Short ones you can draw: sunflower, starfish, cupcake, doghouse, toothbrush, catfish, birdhouse, eggshell, shoebox, pinwheel, houseboat and cowbell. Those are the twelve on the two picture math pages.
Are words like ice cream compound words?
Yes, open compound words are written as two words (ice cream, school bus). These sheets stick to closed compound words written as one word, which is what grades 1 and 2 practice.