Diphthong Dash

• 2nd grade
• Ages 7–8
• Free, no sign-up

Oi and oy say the sound in coin and boy. Ou and ow say the sound in cloud and cow. In Diphthong Dash, your child sees a picture word with two missing letters and picks the right spelling. Every right answer makes the runner dash ahead.

▶ Play

About the game

How to play

1. Wait for GO. Then look at the picture.
2. Say the word. Listen for oi or ou.
3. Pick the letters. Right answers move your runner.
4. Win the race. First place earns three stars.

For parents: what Diphthong Dash practices

Diphthong Dash practices the oi/oy and ou/ow vowel sounds and when to use each spelling. It pairs with:

• Diphthongs
• Diphthongs worksheets
• Vowel teams

Common Core: RF.2.3b (know spelling-sound correspondences for additional common vowel teams).

Getting the most out of it

• Oi usually comes in the middle of a word; oy comes at the end.
• Ow often comes at the end too: cow, now.
• Make a list of oi and oy words around the house.

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

• R-Controlled Racerar, or, er, ir, ur: race with bossy r.1st–2nd grade
• Soft C and G SortCat or city? Goat or giant? Sort by sound.2nd–3rd grade
• Vowel Team CatchCatch word bubbles with ai, ee, oa and more.1st–2nd grade

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Last reviewed: November 11, 2026

Questions parents ask