Word Guess: a Gentle Hangman Game for Kids

A free online word game for kids, like hangman but kind: guess the hidden word one letter at a time, and each letter that isn’t in it melts a little of a snowman (or lets a petal fall from a flower). There is no gallows. Choose a category (animals, food, school, clothes, Christmas and more) and short, medium or long words. Many words have a picture clue, which helps young spellers and anyone learning English. No download or sign-up.

Play word guess

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Category Words Picture

How to play

The lines show how many letters the word has, and the category tells you what kind of word it is.
Tap a letter, or type it on a keyboard. If it is in the word, it fills in every place it goes.
If it isn’t, a bit of the snowman melts (or a petal falls). Short words give you 10 tries, longer ones 8.
Find the word before the snowman melts away. If it does, the word is shown, and “Next word” gives you another.
Stuck? “Picture clue” shows a picture of the word when there is one, and “Free letter” fills in a letter for you.

Who it’s for: Kids from age 6, families, classes and people learning English. Sound is off unless you turn it on, there is no time limit, and “Pause” stops the clock.

Word guess tips and strategy

Start with the vowels: E, A, O and I are in most words.
Then try the common consonants: T, N, S, R and L.
Look at the length and the category: a 3-letter animal is probably cat, dog, pig or hen.
Use the picture clue or the free letter when you are stuck. Getting the word is the point, not doing it alone.

Prefer a printable word game?

Try our printable word scrambles with picture clues, crosswords for kids, word searches for kids and sight word worksheets.

Questions

Why a snowman and not a hangman?

The old pencil-and-paper game draws a gallows, which is not something we want on a children’s page. The rules are the same, but here a snowman melts or a flower drops its petals. It is just as good for spelling, and nicer to look at.

Which words are in it?

Everyday words a 6 year old or a beginner in English meets first: animals, food, colours, school, home, clothes, things that go, nature and weather, Christmas and people who help us. Every word was chosen by hand and is spelled the same in British and American English.

Is it good for ESL and English learners?

Yes. Pick one category at a time to practise its words, start with short words, and use the picture clue to link the word to its meaning. Teachers can play it on a board with the class calling out letters.

What is “Today’s word”?

One word a day, the same for everyone with the same category and length, so a class can play it together. “New game” or “Next word” gives you another.

Is it safe for children?

Yes. There is no chat, no account, no in-game purchases and no links to other sites. Adverts on the page are non-personalised and sit below the game, away from where children tap.

Is it free? Do I need to sign up or download anything?

It is free and plays in your web browser on a computer, tablet or phone. There is nothing to download and no account. Your stats are kept in this browser only. A few adverts on the page, kept well away from the game, pay for the site.

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