Score the Board › Scrabble guides · Updated
Scrabble for kids: what to buy and how to teach it
Independent picks: nobody pays to be listed. Amazon links are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The best Scrabble for most children is Scrabble Junior, which Mattel makes for ages 6 and up. It has a two-sided board, so a child can start by matching letters to pictures and later flip it over to make their own words. When they are ready for the full game, a few house rules make the move easier.
Which Scrabble is right for your child?
Match the set to your child's reading level, not just their age. The table sorts the options.
| Option | Age on the listing | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Scrabble Junior | 6 and up (some retailers say 5) | Early readers and first-time players |
| Junior, advanced side | Same set | Children who spell on their own |
| Scrabble with Together mode | 8 and up | Children and adults playing as a team |
| Classic Scrabble | 8 or 10 and up, by listing | Confident readers and spellers |
| My First Bananagrams | 4 and up | Younger children, with no board |
| Scrabble Slam | 8 and up | Short games with a card deck |
Scrabble Junior
Scrabble Junior is the set made for young children. The Mattel listing on Amazon says ages 6 and up and 2 to 4 players. Retailers differ a little: John Lewis says it is suitable from 5, and it is not for children under 3 because of the small parts.
The box has a double-sided board and letter tiles. Check the contents list on the listing you buy from, because tile counts vary between retailers.
How the two sides work
The first side helps new spellers. Words and colourful pictures are printed on the grid, and players match their letter tiles to the words. Players collect scoring chips for completing words. When all the tiles are placed, the player with the most chips wins.
On the other side, players make their own words, so the board looks more like the full game. Parents can help early readers until they can form the words themselves. That makes it a gentle step before the standard board, and our set guide shows where it fits alongside the other editions.
A step up: Scrabble with Together mode
The Mattel wood set has two ways to play, Classic and Together. Together mode is collaborative, so everyone works towards the same goal instead of against each other. The Amazon listing says it comes with 56 goal cards that teach Scrabble basics, for ages 8 and up.
That makes it a useful bridge for a child who has outgrown Junior but would find a competitive game discouraging. It is also the set we suggest for a family with mixed ages.
When to move to the full game
Move on when your child reads and spells most short words without help. Retailers list the standard game for ages 8 and up or 10 and up, so use that as a guide and not a rule.
Before the first game, share our plain-English rules and the tile values. The set guide explains which standard box to buy.
How to teach a child Scrabble
Start with short words and no pressure. Here is an order that works for most families:
- Play open-handed at first: lay the tiles face up and build words together.
- Add scoring only once they can spell three-letter words, using our scoring guide for the sums.
- Teach the two-letter words next. They fit into tight spaces and help beginners score. See the two-letter words list.
- Bring in the premium squares last, once placing words feels easy.
Our house rules for playing with children add easy changes. They suggest an open dictionary, names and brands allowed, free tile swaps, a rack shared with an adult, and no timer or challenge penalties. Agree the rules before you start, then use the score keeper to take the maths off the adult.
For younger children
If your child is not yet reading, skip the board. My First Bananagrams uses easier tiles and is made for ages 4 and up. It has no board and no turns, so it is a quick way to get children handling letters.
Our games like Scrabble guide compares other word games by age.
Quick card games
Scrabble Slam is a card game where you change one letter at a time in a four-letter word. The Amazon listing is from Winning Moves, for 2 to 4 players aged 8 and over. It plays faster than a board game, so it suits a child who loses interest in a long game.
Settling arguments
A family dictionary gives everyone the same answer when children and adults disagree about words. The Collins Scrabble Family Dictionary is a family-friendly word list for home games, and our two-letter words list covers the short ones.
Common questions
What age is Scrabble Junior for?
The Mattel listing says ages 6 and up. Some retailers say it is suitable from 5, and it is not for children under 3 because of the small parts.
What is the difference between Scrabble Junior and Scrabble?
Junior has a double-sided board. One side matches letters to words and pictures, and the other lets players make their own words. The full game has a 15 by 15 board and 100 tiles.
How many people can play Scrabble Junior?
The listings say 2 to 4 players.
At what age can a child play real Scrabble?
Retailers list the standard game for ages 8 and up or 10 and up. A child who reads and spells short words without help can start sooner with house rules.
How do you teach a child to play Scrabble?
Begin with open-handed play and short words, then add scoring and the two-letter words. Our kids section of the house rules lists changes that keep it fun.
Is there a cooperative version of Scrabble?
Yes. The Mattel wood set has a Together mode that is collaborative, with 56 goal cards on the Amazon listing.
Can children use a dictionary while they play?
Yes, if you agree it first. Our house rules suggest an open dictionary for the children, or for everyone.
What can younger children play instead?
My First Bananagrams is made for ages 4 and up, and has no board. Scrabble Junior suits ages 6 and up.
Related: Which Scrabble set should you buy? · Games like Scrabble · House rules · Rules · Two-letter words · Score keeper