Mystery Box - oi

Looking for an energetic and hands-on way to teach the /oi/ sound to your Year 1 and Year 2 students? Our free Mystery Box phonics game is the perfect solution. With a strong focus on the oi and oy spelling patterns, this interactive activity helps students hear, read, and spell /oi/ words while having a whole lot of fun.

At Smart Boarding School, we know that learning sticks best when it’s active and meaningful. This

game turns phonics practice into a classroom favorite—whether you’re teaching in a small group, during literacy rotations, or from home.

What’s the /oi/ Mystery Box Game?

The Mystery Box game is a two-player challenge that combines spelling, strategy, and surprise. It gives students repeated practice with common /oi/ sound words while also letting them apply decision-making and listening skills.

It’s especially helpful for reinforcing the two main phonemes for the /oi/ sound:

oi (as in soil, boil, coin)
oy (as in toy, enjoy, boy)

What You’ll Need

To get started, just print:

Page 2: Player scoreboards (laminate for reuse with markers)
Pages 3–10: Mystery Box cards with /oi/ words (print double-sided and cut out)

That’s it—no complicated setup required!

How to Play

Lay all the /oi/ Mystery Box cards face down on a table.
Player 1 chooses a card by pointing to it.
Player 2 flips the card and reads the /oi/ word aloud.
Player 1 writes the word on their scoreboard.
If spelled correctly, they earn 1 point.
Player 1 then chooses to keep the card (and gain or lose points listed) or discard it.
Switch turns and repeat.
When all cards have been played, the player with the most points wins.

Why This Game Works

Reinforces common /oi/ spellings in a fun and repeatable format.
Encourages students to think carefully about phonics and spelling.
Supports auditory and visual learning through reading, writing, and speaking.
Adds excitement and engagement through the “mystery” element of the cards.

It’s a game that kids ask to play again and again—and teachers love that it’s phonics-focused and free to print.

Download the Free /oi/ Mystery Box Game

Want to boost your students’ confidence with oi and oy words like coin, foil, toy, and joyful? Download the Mystery Box game today and bring more energy and effectiveness to your phonics lessons.

At Smart Boarding School, we’re all about fun, free, and effective resources that help teachers teach and students learn. This game is ready to print, play, and enjoy—no prep required.

Click the button below to download your copy now!