List of Three Letter Words for Kids

Author at PW
July 15, 2025
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Three Letter Words for Kids: When a child starts learning, they are very curious and excited to know new things. At a young age, teaching them simple words becomes both easy and important. This helps them to speak well and understand better. One good way to start is by teaching them three letter words. These words are short, easy to read, and very common in daily life. 

Learning such three letter words in English helps children to build a strong base in reading and writing. Nowadays, knowing good English is very useful, not only in school but also in everyday life. So, it is good if children learn 3 letter words in English from the beginning. It gives them confidence and also improves their communication skills. Below, we have shared a list of easy and useful three letter words that can help kids in their early learning journey.

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List of Three Letter Words for Kids

When kids are just beginning to read and speak, they should be introduced to words that are short and easy to understand. That’s why three letter words are a great way to begin. Check out the List of Three Letter Words for Kids below:- 

A

B

C

D

ant

bat

cat

dog

arm

bag

cup

dip

axe

bun

can

den

all

bed

cap

dig

age

bus

cow

dot

E

F

G

H

egg

fan

gun

hat

end

fig

got

hen

eat

fix

gap

hop

ear

fog

gum

hit

elk

fun

gas

hot

I

J

K

L

ink

jam

kid

lip

ill

jet

kit

log

ice

job

keg

lap

ion

joy

key

let

inn

jug

kin

lot

M

N

O

P

man

net

owl

pen

mat

nap

old

pot

map

nod

off

pan

mop

not

one

pig

mad

new

out

pit

Q

R

S

T

quo

rat

sun

top

quiz

run

sit

tap

--

red

sip

ten

--

rub

set

tin

--

row

saw

toy

U

V

W

X

use

van

win

box

urn

vet

wet

fix

ump

vow

web

mix

--

--

wig

six

--

--

war

fax

Y

Z

   

yak

zip

   

yet

zoo

   

yum

zig

   

you

zap

   

--

zen

   

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Fun Ways to Teach Three Letter Words at Home

Learning doesn’t always need to happen in the classroom. Parents can also play a big role in teaching three letter words at home. In fact, when learning is fun, kids learn faster and stay interested for longer. Here are a few fun ways to do it:

  1. Flashcards: Make colourful flashcards with a picture on one side and the word on the other. For example, a picture of a cat on one side, and the word “cat” on the back. Children enjoy flipping cards and guessing the word.

  2. Object Word Match: Pick common objects from home like cup, pen, bag, hat, etc., and ask your child to match them with written words. This works well with toys too.

  3. Rhyming Games: Say a word like "bat," and ask the child to find words that rhyme, like "cat," "mat," or "hat." This builds sound recognition and makes phonics easier.

  4. Story Time: Use very simple storybooks that contain three letter words. Read aloud together and ask your child to point at words they recognise. This improves word memory.

  5. Drawing and Labelling: Ask your child to draw simple things like a dog or a sun and then write the word below it. This builds a connection between images and words.

Also Check, Kids Activity Books

Common 3 Letter Words Every Child Should Know

While there are many three letter words in English, some are very basic and should be part of every child’s vocabulary. These words are used in many beginner-level books and classroom activities. They help children understand basic sentence-making. Here are a few common ones that are easy to learn:

  1. Cat, dog, rat, pig, hen – Animals they often see in books or cartoons.

  2. Sun, fan, cup, pen, bed – Simple objects at home.

  3. Run, hop, sit, cry, win – Easy action words.

  4. Big, red, hot, wet, fun – Adjectives that describe things.

Benefits of Learning 3 Letter Words in English

  1. Builds Vocabulary: Every new word a child learns adds to their ability to speak and write. Three letter words are short, easy, and often used in everyday life, which helps them become a regular part of the child's language.

  2. Helps with Phonics: Most three letter words follow the CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) pattern. This helps children understand how letters and sounds come together to make a word. Words like "bat," "pin," "cup," and "log" are perfect examples.

  3. Improves Reading and Writing: When kids start reading short words on their own, they feel confident and happy. This excitement helps them explore more words and enjoy reading. It also gives them the power to form simple sentences like "I see a cat" or "The sun is hot."

  4. Creates a Strong Learning Base: These small words act like building blocks. Once children are confident with three letter words, they find it easier to learn longer and harder words. This step-by-step growth keeps their learning smooth and enjoyable.

Read More: Birds Names for Kids

Three Letter Words FAQs

1. What are three letter words?

Three letter words are simple words made up of just three letters, like "cat," "dog," or "pen." 

2. Why should kids learn three letter words first?

These words are short and easy to understand, which makes them perfect for young children who are just starting to read and speak.

3. At what age should kids start learning three letter words?

Kids can start learning them as early as 3 to 4 years old, depending on their interest and learning speed.

4. Are all three letter words suitable for kids?

No, some three letter words may not be appropriate or useful for young children. 

5. How can I make learning three letter words fun?

You can use flashcards, games, stories, rhymes, and even drawing activities to make learning enjoyable.

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List of Three Letter Words for Kids