Early Literacy Game: Opposite or Same?

Let's get ready to play a super fun and exciting game called "Opposite or Same.” All you'll need are some index cards and markers or crayons to write on them.

Opposite or Same?

Ability level: later reader

Directions: Write pairs of words that mean the same thing (synonyms) and words that mean the opposite (antonyms) on the index cards. You can choose easy or hard words, depending on how old your little one is.

Once you've written the words on the cards, mix them up and place them face down in two piles. Take turns flipping over two cards at a time. If the cards match as synonyms or as antonyms, you get to keep them and go again! If they don't match, it's the other player's turn.

The game is over when all the cards have been matched. The player with the most cards at the end is the winner!

Here are a list of some synonyms and antonyms to get you going. Remember, the level of difficulty of the vocabulary can vary with the age and skill level of the children playing the game. You can choose simpler or more challenging words based on what you think is appropriate for your child.

Antonyms:

1. Big - Small

2. Up - Down

3. Hot - Cold

4. Fast - Slow

5. On - Off

6. Wet - Dry

7. Tall - Short

8. Happy - Sad

Synonyms:

1. Happy - Joyful

2. Run - Jog

3. Big - Large

4. Walk - Stroll

5. Laugh - Giggle

6. Sad - Unhappy

7. Fast - Quick

8. Shout - Yell