7 Everyday Listening Games to Build Phase 1 Phonics Skills at Home – Week 3

Intro – Why Listening Comes First

Before your child can read words, they need to tune in to sounds—and that’s exactly what Phase 1 phonics (sometimes called phonics stage 1) helps them do.

This stage is all about developing listening skills in fun, natural ways. No pressure. Just play, talk, and notice the world around you.

We’re continuing our trek into the world of listening this week—because tuning in to sounds is the foundation of all those phonics skills we’ll build on later.

In this guide, you’ll discover:

• Why listening is essential for early phonics
• 7 quick, playful listening games for home
• How to make phonics a moment, not a chore
• A free animal sounds activity to download

• Why Listening Matters in Early Phonics
• 7 Fun Phase 1 Phonics Listening Games
• Free Phonics Activity Worksheet
• Greetings from Grace
• Week 4’s Preview
• FAQs

Why Listening Matters in Early Phonics

Children need to hear and identify sounds before they can link them to letters. Phase 1 helps children:

• Recognise different types of sounds
• Tune in to patterns like rhythm and rhyme
• Build attention and memory
• Get ready for blending and segmenting words later

The best part? These skills grow through playful sound-based activities, most of which you can do using things already around the house.

Here are 7 simple listening games you can try today with your 3–5-year old to build a strong foundation for phonics learning.

7 Easy Listening Games to Try at Home

1. Sound Safari

What you need: Just your ears!
Go on a “sound safari” indoors or outdoors. Ask:
“What can you hear?” Birds? Cars? A ticking clock?

Parent Tip: Take turns describing or guessing the sounds. You can even close your eyes for extra focus.

2. What’s That Noise? (Mystery Sound Game)

What you need: A small bag and noisy household items (keys, crisp packet, spoon)
Hide the items in the bag. Shake, tap, or scrunch one and ask:

“Can you guess what made that sound?”

Variation: Let your child hide the object and you guess—builds confidence and turn-taking.

3. Clap It Back

What you need: Just your hands
Clap a rhythm (e.g., clap—clap—pause—clap), and your child copies it. Then switch roles.

Top Tip: Start simple and build complexity gradually. This builds auditory memory and awareness of patterns.

4. Kitchen Band Jam

What you need: Pots, pans, spoons, plastic containers
Make your own band and play rhythms. Try loud/quiet or fast/slow patterns.

Extension: Play a beat and have your child repeat it exactly.

5. Animal Sound Guessing

What you need: Your voice or animal sound clips
Make or play an animal noise and ask:

“Which animal is this?”
Your child can then make a noise back for you to guess!

Parent Hint: Add some stuffed toys for extra engagement.

6. Loud or Quiet?

What you need: Household items or sounds (e.g., vacuum, whisper, ticking clock)
Ask your child:

“Is this a LOUD sound or a quiet one?”
You can turn this into a sorting game with sound cards or real objects.

7. Sound Stop Game

What you need: Music player or phone
Play music and dance around. When the music stops, freeze and listen. Ask:

“What can you hear right now?” (e.g., birds, fridge, your own breathing!)

Variation: Try this outside and make a list of sounds heard when “frozen.”

Quick Tips for Success

• Keep it short – 5–10 minutes is perfect for young attention spans
• Repeat often – Familiar games help build confidence and memory
• Go with their mood – If they’re tired or silly, adapt the activity to suit
• Make it playful – No pressure, just exploration and fun

Download Your FREE What’s In the Box? Activity Worksheet

Download our FREE Phase 1 What’s in the Box? Animal Sounds Activity Worksheet, a fantastically fun animal sounds extravaganza for after you’ve finished the animal sound guessing game!
[Click here to download]

Check out this link to get free animal graphics for a quick, no fuss prep!
Use the graphics for the game, then let your child cut and stick them onto the worksheet. Phonics game, scissor skills and craft all mixed into one activity!

Listening, Slowing Down, and Why This All Matters

Nice to see you again!
Do I even need to introduce myself at this point?

Okay, okay—just in case we’ve got some new faces around here…

Hiya, I’m Grace. And no—you haven’t wandered into some alternate universe where education has gone rogue. We just do things a little differently around here.

Different in a good way 😊

Can I Ask You a Quick Question?

When was the last time you just… sat in silence and listened?

Not to music or a podcast. I mean really listened—to the sounds around you. The rustling leaves. The hum of the fridge. Birds. Distant traffic. The tiny creaks your house makes when no one’s moving.

Hard to remember, right?

Because life is… a lot.

The school run. Work. The cooking, the cleaning, the laundry pile that never seems to disappear. (Just me?)

And oh yes—self-care?

👀

It never ends. So it would be easy for these phonics activities to feel like just one more thing added on to the never-ending to-do list.

But I really, really don’t want that for you.

Phonics Doesn’t Have to Be a Task—It Can Be a Moment

Some of my most joyful parenting memories?
They’ve happened during the simplest, quietest moments.
Sitting side by side with my children, nothing fancy—just fully there with each other. No phone. No rushing. No multitasking.

Just us.

And I want you to have those moments too.

So this week, as we explore some simple listening activities to support your child’s phonics learning, I’d love for you to approach them as little pauses—not projects.

Give yourself permission to be present.
Take a breath.
Take your time.

The laundry will wait. The world won’t fall apart if dinner’s a bit late. But this moment—this connection you’re building with your child—it matters. And it’s what they’ll remember most.

You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Just in case no one has told you today:
You are doing amazing.

Seriously. I mean it.

How do I know?

Because you’re here.
Reading this. Showing up. Learning how to support your child’s reading journey with love and intention.

That counts for so much more than you think.

What’s Coming Next?

Next week, we’ll explore how to teach environmental sounds at home, using everyday moments like bath time, mealtimes, and outdoor walks.

Read next: [Week 4 – How to Teach Environmental Sounds at Home]

FAQs

What age is Phase 1 phonics for?
Ages 3–5 in Nursery and early Reception.

Is Phase 1 phonics the same as Stage 1?
Yes — the terms are used interchangeably.

Do you teach letters in Phase 1 phonics?
No — it focuses on sound awareness. Letter sounds start in Phase 2.

What are some Phase 1 listening activities?
Sound hunts, clapping rhythms, guessing animal noises, and sorting sounds into loud or quiet.

Why is listening important before reading?
Strong listening skills help children blend and segment sounds, which are essential for reading later.

If this post made phonics feel a little easier to understand… Subscribe to our weekly blog series to get phonics activity ideas sent straight to your inbox.

If you found this post helpful, send it to a friend with a 3-5 year old.