Dictionary Dash

• 2nd–4th grade
• Ages 7–10
• Free, no sign-up

Race through the dictionary! Your child picks which word comes first in ABC order, first by the first letter, then by the second and third letters. The last level shows guide words at the top of a dictionary page and asks which word belongs on that page.

▶ Play

About the game

How to play

1. Read the words. Which comes first in ABC order?
2. Compare letters. If the first letters match, look at the next one.
3. Use guide words. A word on the page comes after the first guide word and before the second.
4. Finish the dash. Right on the first try earns stars.

For parents: what Dictionary Dash practices

Dictionary Dash teaches alphabetical order to the second and third letter and how to use guide words, the skills kids need to find words in a dictionary or glossary. It pairs with:

• Dictionary skills
• Alphabetical order
• ABC Order Train

Common Core: L.2.2e (consult reference materials), L.3.2g (use a dictionary to check spellings), L.4.4c.

Getting the most out of it

• Underline the first letter that is different.
• Say the alphabet to compare two letters.
• Practice with a real dictionary afterward.

Games are best as a reward or a warm-up, not the main lesson. Ten minutes of play after a short lesson works better than an hour of play on its own.

More games

• Irregular Verb RacerToday I eat, yesterday I ate. Race with past tense.2nd–4th grade
• Syntax SkiesFly into the lane with the word that finishes the sentence.2nd–5th grade
• Verb DetectiveRead the time clues and pick the right verb form.2nd–5th grade

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Last reviewed: November 11, 2026

Questions parents ask