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If you love reading, chances are you enjoy a good word game. While I don’t have scientific data to support this claim, there’s definitely something about playing with language that feels especially satisfying to book lovers. Word games challenge our vocabularies, spark creativity and are just plain fun.
Here are some of my favorite word games for readers, along with a little history and why they’re worth adding to your next game night.
Wordle
Year Launched: 2021
How to Play: Guess a 5-letter word in six tries. Gray mean that letter isn’t in the word, yellow means right letter wrong spot and green means right letter and placement. You can only play one new game a day (unless you go back into archived puzzles).
Why Readers Love It: It’s quick, clever and just the right amount of brain exercise.
Fun Fact: My favorite cousin introduced me to this game several years ago, and now I play it almost daily. As I was reading up on Wordle for this post, I wondered – how many 5-letter words exist? According to Rosetta Stone, there are 2315 5-letter words – enough to last Wordle through the end of 2027.
Click here to play.
👉 If you’ve got a Wordle fan in your life (or are one yourself), get this shirt! I bought it for my husband and it’s so cute and fun.
Scrabble
First created: 1938 (called Lexiko, later Criss-Cross Words)
How to Play: Form words with letter tiles to collect points. High-value letters and double/triple words spaces keep things competitive.
Why It’s Special to Me: Scrabble is more than just a game in my family; it’s tied to countless family memories. It was my late-grandma’s favorite game, and it was played at every family gathering I can remember. She didn’t let us cheat – but every now and then a questionable word managed to slide by.
(My grandma, cousin and I about to start a game.)
Boggle
Released: 1972 (originally called Find-A-Word)
How to Play: Shake the letter cube tray, set the timer and find as many words as possible (tiles must be touching). Letters can’t be reused, words need to be at least three letters long and longer words earn more points. Once the timer runs out, everyone reviews their words with one another, and any duplicate words are scratched.
Why it Works: Fast-paced, easy to learn and always competitive it the best way.
Scattergories
Published: 1988
How to Play: Roll a letter and try to fill out a list of categories using words that start with that letter. Duplicate words cancel out, and appropriate alliteration leads to more points, so originality matters!
Reader-Friendly Appeal: This one taps into vocabulary and creativity – which can be surprisingly challenging!
Taboo
Published: 1989
How to Play: Give clues to help your team guess a word – without using the words listed as “taboo.” If you slip, the other team hits the buzzer. Get as many words guessed before the timer runs out.
Why It’s Fun: High energy + buzzer chaos = instant laughter.
Catch Phrase
Released: 1994
How to Play: Get your team to guess the word on your card (or screen). Pass the disc quickly – if the timer runs out on your turn, the other team scores.
Why Book Lovers Enjoy It: It works your brain and your nerves – especially during the speed-pass moments!
Crossword Puzzles
Published First: 1913
How to Play: Use clues to fill in intersecting words vertically and horizontally.
Trivia Question: Which employee from the “The Office” was an avid crossword puzzle fan? (Answer at the end of the post!)
Word Search
Created: 1960
How to Play: Find hidden words in a grid. They may appear forward, backward, vertical or diagonal.
Teacher-Loved and Kid-Friendly: My boys still get these at school, and I find myself wanting to make a copy so I can play along.
What Word Game Did I Forget?
Tell me in the comments: What’s your favorite word game for readers and why do you love it? I’m always looking for new ones to try!
Links to Stock Up For Your Next Game Night
✅ Answer to trivia question: Stanley
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