Short Vowel Worksheets
Updated November 2026 · 7 free printables
One worksheet for each short vowel, a as in cat, e as in bed, i as in pig, o as in dog and u as in bug, plus a short vowel sort and a circle-the-vowel review. Each vowel page starts with twelve pictures to name: kids color the ones with that short vowel sound and leave the others white.
The second exercise changes from page to page: writing the missing a, choosing the right short e word, finding short i words next to long i look-alikes, writing short o words and turning hat into hut by changing the vowel to u.
All 7 Short Vowel 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. Short A Vowel Worksheet
A short a vowel worksheet in color: kids color the six pictures with the short a sound among twelve, then write the missing a in six more short a words. Answer key included. Kindergartners can point under each word with a finger as they read it out loud.
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2. Short E Vowel Worksheet
A short e vowel worksheet in color: kids color the six pictures with the short e sound among twelve, then circle the right short e word for six pictures. Answer key included. Kindergartners can point under each word with a finger as they read it out loud.
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3. Short I Vowel Worksheet
A short i vowel worksheet in color: kids color the six pictures with the short i sound among twelve, then circle the short i words in a list that also has long i words (kite, bike, pie, five, time). Answer key included. Kindergartners can point under each word with a finger as they read it out loud.
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4. Short O Vowel Worksheet
A short o vowel worksheet in color: kids color the six pictures with the short o sound among twelve, then write the word for four short o pictures. Answer key included. Kindergartners can point under each word with a finger as they read it out loud.
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5. Short U Vowel Worksheet
A short u vowel worksheet in color: kids color the six pictures with the short u sound among twelve, then change the vowel to u to turn hat into hut, cap into cup, bag into bug and more. Answer key included. Kindergartners can point under each word with a finger as they read it out loud.
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6. Short Vowel Sort Worksheet
Fifteen labeled pictures (hat, pen, pig, fox, cup and more) to sort by vowel sound. Kids read each word and write it in the short a, e, i, o or u box. Three words belong in each box; the key shows the finished sort. It matches first grade reading goals, roughly ages 6 to 7.
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7. Circle the Short Vowel Sound
Fifteen CVC pictures (bat, pin, sun, web, mop, jam and more), each with the five vowels a, e, i, o and u underneath in color. Kids say the word, listen for the middle sound and circle its vowel. First graders can read it on their own and ask for help only with the trickier words.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Use one picture word per vowel as an anchor: apple, egg, igloo, octopus, umbrella.
- Ask your child to watch your mouth: short a opens wide, short o makes a round mouth.
- Color the vowel letters red when writing words so they stand out.
Did you know?
- In many dictionaries a short vowel is marked with a curved mark called a breve, as in ă.
- Most one-syllable words with a single vowel between two consonants have a short vowel sound.
- Short e and short i are the two vowel sounds young readers mix up most often.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Sort small toys into five boxes by their vowel sound.
- Sing the five short vowel sounds to a familiar tune before starting a page.
- Play vowel swap: change the vowel in a word and see whether it is still a real word (bag, bug, big, beg).
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 are the short vowel sounds?
a as in apple, e as in egg, i as in igloo, o as in octopus and u as in umbrella. In a short CVC word such as cat or sun, the vowel usually makes its short sound.
How can I tell a short vowel from a long vowel?
A long vowel says its own name (the a in cake), a short vowel does not (the a in cat). Many words with one vowel between two consonants have a short vowel.
Which short vowel is the hardest?
Short e and short i are the easiest to mix up because they sound alike in many accents. Practice them on separate days before mixing them.
What comes after short vowels?
Digraphs (sh, ch, th), consonant blends (st, fl, tr) and then long vowels with a silent e, like cap and cape.