Long u Mystery Box

Looking for a hands-on way to teach the Long U sound? The Mystery Box phonics game is just the tool you need. This free printable game is designed for Year 1 and Year 2 students who are learning to read and spell long u words with a variety of spelling patterns, including u, ue, ew, and u_e.

Rather than simply memorising lists of words, your students will be interacting, spelling, and strategising—making this game an engaging

and effective way to consolidate phonics learning.

What is the Long U Mystery Box Game?

This is a two-player game that mixes phonics knowledge with fun and friendly competition. Players take turns drawing mystery cards with long u words and earning points based on spelling accuracy—and a bit of luck! It’s ideal for literacy rotations, small group work, or home learning.

What You Need

Print and prepare the following pages:

Page 2 – One scoreboard per player (laminate for reuse with whiteboard markers)
Pages 3–10 – Long U Mystery Box cards (print double-sided and cut out)

No prep beyond printing and cutting. Quick to set up and easy to explain.

How to Play

Shuffle and lay the Mystery Box cards face down (box image showing).
Player 1 chooses a card by pointing to it.
Player 2 flips the card, reads the long u word aloud.
Player 1 writes the word on their score sheet.
If correct, they earn 1 point.
Player 1 then chooses to keep the card (and apply the bonus or penalty points shown) or discard it.
Switch roles and repeat.
Once all cards have been used, the player with the most points wins.

Phonemes Practised in This Game

This game gives students exposure to multiple ways of spelling the Long U sound:

u (e.g., unit, unicorn)
ue (e.g., blue, rescue)
ew (e.g., new, grew)
u_e (e.g., cube, flute)

It’s a great way to build familiarity with alternative spellings and help students spot patterns in words.

Why This Game Works So Well

Interactive and student-led: Students are in charge of reading, writing, and checking.
Strategic thinking: Deciding to keep or discard cards adds a layer of fun.
Real spelling practice: Every round includes word reading and writing.
Positive engagement: Students stay focused and enthusiastic throughout the game.

Teachers love how the game supports spelling and phonics practice without feeling like a worksheet.

Download the Free Long U Mystery Box Game

Ready to make phonics a little more exciting? Download the Long U Mystery Box game and let your students explore spelling patterns through play.

At Smart Boarding School, we’re passionate about creating fun, flexible, and free phonics resources. This game is just one of many that supports early readers and makes literacy learning more joyful.

Click the button below to download your free copy and start playing today!

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