Spoon Ending Sound Sort: A Simple Phonics Activity Using Plastic Spoons

A No-Prep Phonics Activity for Busy Days

You know those moments when your toddler is zooming around the house with superhero energy, and you just need five minutes of focused learning time? Enter: the spoon ending sound sort. A ridiculously easy, no-prep phonics activity that takes five minutes to set up and turns those random plastic spoons into a literacy-building powerhouse.

This is activity #3 in my random household objects series—because why overcomplicate learning when your junk drawer holds everything you need? If you’ve been following along, we’ve already used spoons for direction practice and letter matching. Now, we’re leveling up with ending sound practice—a crucial early literacy skill that helps kids hear, recognize, and categorize word families.

Why Ending Sound Sorting Matters

Phonics can feel overwhelming, but when you break it down into bite-sized chunks, it’s actually pretty simple. Focusing on ending sounds (word families like -at, -am, -an) helps kids recognize spelling patterns, making it easier for them to decode new words. Plus, this activity sneaks in some extra fine motor practice as little hands grip, sort, and drop those spoons into the correct cups.

How to Set Up the Spoon Ending Sound Sort

What You Need:

• Plastic spoons (about 10–15, depending on how many words you want to use)
• 4–5 plastic cups
• Permanent marker

How to Play:

1. Choose 4–5 word families (like -at, -am, -an, -ag). Write one on each cup.
2. On the spoons, write simple three-letter words that match those endings (e.g., “cat,” “bat,” and “mat” for the -atcup).
3. Spread out the spoons and let your child sort them into the correct cups by matching the ending sound.

Adapting for Different Ages

If your toddler is just starting out, you can make it easier by reading each spoon aloud and letting them repeat after you. If your preschooler is ready for more of a challenge, encourage them to sound out the word before deciding where it belongs.

For extra fun, turn this into a game—race to see how fast you can sort, or take turns drawing spoons and guessing where they go.

Why This Works

This kids learning activity hits multiple skills at once:

• Phonics: Recognizing and categorizing ending sounds
• Fine Motor: Picking up and placing spoons helps strengthen little hands
• Critical Thinking: Deciding where each spoon belongs boosts early literacy skills

The Magic of Activities with Random Household Objects

If you haven’t noticed yet, I love activities that use random household objects. Why? Because they’re simple, effective, and you don’t have to spend money on fancy learning materials. Plastic spoons? You probably have a stash in your pantry. Cups? Check. A marker? Of course. And suddenly, you’ve got an engaging activity at home that makes learning feel like play.

More Easy Activities Using Spoons

If your little one loved this activity, don’t stop here! My Random Household Objects series is all about turning everyday items into simple, engaging learning experiences. Check out the other fun ways we’ve used plastic spoons for hands-on play and skill-building:

1. Spoon Directional Arrows – A movement-based activity that helps kids practice following directions and spatial awareness.
2. Spoon Letter Match – A fun way to reinforce uppercase and lowercase letter recognition.
3. Spoon Number Dot Match – A counting game that strengthens one-to-one correspondence.
4. Spoon Ball Transfer – A fine motor activity that encourages coordination and focus.

Each activity is designed to be quick to set up, engaging for kids, and made with items you already have at home. Try them all and see which one becomes a favorite!

A Stress-Free Phonics Game for Early Readers

The spoon ending sound sort is the perfect no-prep phonics activity to boost early reading skills without stress. Whether you need a quick five-minute learning break or a structured literacy lesson, this one is a keeper. Plus, it proves that even plastic spoons can be educational.

Try it out, and let me know—did your child love it? Did they dramatically announce that they’re “done with school” after three spoons? Either way, it’s a win.

Plastic Spoons

Plastic Cups

Black Permanent Markers