CVC Words Worksheets
Updated November 2026 · 11 free printables
Eleven different CVC worksheets, each with its own kind of practice: sound boxes, writing the word for a picture with a word bank, the missing vowel, the missing first or last letter, matching words to pictures, unscrambling letter tiles, reading sentences, a 60-word CVC list and a read-and-draw page.
Every page uses colorful pictures of everyday things (a fox, a cup, a web, a van) so children can say the word before they spell it. Answer keys are on page 2 wherever there is one right answer.
All 11 CVC Words Worksheets, 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. CVC Sound Boxes: Short A Pictures
Nine short a pictures (cat, hat, fan, van, pan, map, cap, jam and bag) with three sound boxes each. Kids stretch the word, write the first, middle and last sound, and read it back. The middle box is shaded as a hint. Kindergartners can point under each word with a finger as they read it out loud.
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2. Write the CVC Word for Each Picture
Twelve CVC pictures with all five short vowels: pig, bed, sun, fox, web, cup, box, bug, hen, wig, pot and bat. Kids match each picture to a word in the word bank and write it on handwriting lines. It suits kindergarten, about ages 5 to 6, with large print and short, decodable words.
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3. Missing Vowel CVC Worksheet
Twelve CVC pictures with the vowel missing: pin, net, mop, jug, ten, can, six, log, hut, tag, jet and rug. Kids listen for the middle sound and write a, e, i, o or u. A colored vowel strip at the top helps. It suits kindergarten, about ages 5 to 6, with large print and short, decodable words.
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4. CVC Words: Write the Missing First Letter
Twelve CVC pictures with the first letter missing (dog, sun, fan, bed, pig, mop and more). Kids say each word, listen for the first sound and complete the word, then read it out loud. Kindergartners can point under each word with a finger as they read it out loud.
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5. CVC Words: Write the Missing Last Letter
Twelve CVC pictures with the last letter missing (cat, bus, web, pin, log, mug and more). Kids say each word, listen for the last sound and complete the word, then read it out loud. Kindergartners can point under each word with a finger as they read it out loud.
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6. Match CVC Words to Pictures
Two columns of six CVC words (hat, pig, sun, bed, box, cup, van, wig, mop, jet, nut and bag) to read and match to their pictures with a line. The answer key shows every match. It suits kindergarten, about ages 5 to 6, with large print and short, decodable words.
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7. CVC Words List by Short Vowel
A printable list of 60 CVC words sorted by short vowel: 12 words each for short a, e, i, o and u, with the vowel in color and a check box to tick after reading. Use it for daily fluency practice or as a word wall. It suits kindergarten, about ages 5 to 6, with large print and short, decodable words.
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8. Circle the Matching CVC Word
Twelve pictures, each with two CVC words that differ only in the vowel (pen or pin, bug or bag, hut or hat, cap or cup and more). Kids read both words carefully and circle the one that names the picture. It matches first grade reading goals, roughly ages 6 to 7.
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9. Unscramble the CVC Words
Ten scrambled CVC words with picture hints: cat, dog, pig, sun, bed, fox, cup, hen, bus and map. Kids look at the mixed-up letter tiles, sound out the right order and write the word. First graders can read it on their own and ask for help only with the trickier words.
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10. CVC Sentences: Read and Circle the Picture
Eight short decodable sentences such as "I can see a fox." and "Sit on the rug." Next to each sentence are three pictures with rhyming or look-alike names; kids read carefully and circle the one that matches. It matches first grade reading goals, roughly ages 6 to 7.
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11. Read and Draw: CVC Phrases
Six short CVC phrases to read and illustrate: a red hen, a big pig, a cat in a hat, a bug on a rug, a fox in a box and a sun and a bus. Drawing the phrase shows that the child understood what they read. First graders can read it on their own and ask for help only with the trickier words.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Let your child say the picture name out loud before writing anything.
- On the sound box page, push a counter into each box for each sound first, then write.
- If a word is spelled wrong, read back exactly what is written and ask what sound is missing.
Did you know?
- The CVC list has 12 words for each of the five short vowels, 60 words in all.
- The unscramble page always mixes the letters, so no word starts in the right order.
- On the matching CVC word page the two choices differ only in the vowel, like pen and pin.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Use the read-and-draw phrases as a writing prompt: add a second sentence to each picture.
- Time a read-through of one column on the CVC list each day and watch the time drop.
- Make your own scrambled words for a sibling or parent to solve.
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
Which CVC worksheet should we start with?
Start with the sound boxes or the missing first letter page; they only ask for one sound at a time. The missing vowel and unscramble pages are harder because they need all three sounds.
My child mixes up the vowels. What helps?
Practice one vowel at a time with the short vowel pages, then come back to mixed CVC pages. Saying the vowel sound with a picture (a as in apple) helps it stick.
Are these worksheets for kindergarten or first grade?
Both. Pages marked Kindergarten build and write single words; the Grade 1 pages add sentences, choices between similar words and scrambled letters.
Can I use them in a classroom?
Yes. All worksheets are free for home, homeschool and classroom use. Print the whole set as one PDF for a phonics center.