Snowman Short A CVC Words Activity

Are you looking for a fun, engaging way to help pre-k, kindergarten, and first grade students work on short a words? This snowman activity for kindergarten gives kids a chance to work on their reading skills with a fun winter theme! Simply print cvc words activity and you are ready to play and learn!

Short a words

There’s something magical about the first time a child reads a word like cat or map.  Their face lights up, their confidence soars, and you just know they’re on their way to becoming a reader. But did you know that the way we teach these early words can make or break their progress? We have a fun short a words activity to make learning to read simple words fun! This winter activity for kindergarten has a fun snowman theme that is sure to keep kids engaged and eager to learn. Simply print the cvc words printable and you are ready to go! Get more practice with these free cvc coloring pages, printable short a words mini book, or fun winter activities for kids.

Snowman Printable

Start by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >> ___________<<. The pdf file will open in a new window for you to save your freebie. Now print off  the pages.

Avoid the Memorization Trap

Short “a” word families like -ad, -ag, -am, and -an might seem like a great starting point (and they can be), but they come with a hidden danger: memorization. When kids focus on the pattern instead of decoding each sound, things fall apart fast. Imagine teaching words like bad, dad, had, lad, and mad together. The child might start chanting “ad, ad, ad” like a robot 🤖, but the second you switch to bag, they’ll freeze.

To help your child truly succeed, mix things up! Choose words across word families so they focus on the sounds instead of the endings.

Snowman Activity for Kindergarten

Let’s add some winter magic to our learning! Grab the materials below, and you’re ready to go:

• Print the snowman template on cardstock. Cut out the pieces and laminate them (because sticky fingers are a thing). Arm your child with a dry-erase marker and eraser.

How to Use the Short A Snowman Sort

Here’s where the fun begins!

• Have your child read a short “a” word, like cat or map.
• Match the word to its picture.
• Build the snowman so the picture tops the matching word.
• Write the word on the blank space for extra spelling practice.

CVC words activity

This snowman activity is more than just cute—it’s a game-changer for little readers! While they’re giggling and building snowmen, they’re also strengthening decoding skills, practicing handwriting, and mastering short “a” words. Win-win