🦉 Play Hoot Words
About Hoot Words
Hoot Words is a free vocabulary game that helps kids aged 6 to 12 build a strong vocabulary easily and step by step. It is made for everyday learning and for children preparing for selective school exams.
Why I built Hoot Words
I'm a dad of twin boys, aged 9. I wanted to help them build their vocabulary, but I knew that word lists and worksheets would not keep two nine-year-olds interested for long.
So I built Hoot Words: a few new words each day, said out loud, used in real sentences, and then a quick quiz that feels more like a game than homework. My boys are the first people to try it, and their feedback shapes how it works.
I've kept it free, with no accounts and no tracking, in case it helps other families too. I hope your child enjoys it too.
— Dad, creator of Hoot Words 🦉
How it works
- Learn. Each day you get a mission of new words (5, 10, 15, or any number from 1 to 100). Every word comes with its meaning, how to say it, a synonym and an antonym, and an example sentence you can hear read aloud.
- Quiz. Then a short multiple-choice quiz asks what each word means in a new sentence, or which word fits a blank. Answering in context is what makes words stick.
- Review. Words you miss come back for review. Words you get right come back less often, so you spend time where it helps.
- Level up. Your age and an optional 24-question level check set your starting level. The words get harder as your scores improve.
Who it is for
Children in primary school (elementary school), roughly Kindergarten/Prep to Year 7, who want to grow their English vocabulary: for school reading and writing, for general confidence with words, or as part of preparing for selective school entrance tests. Parents and teachers can use it as a short daily routine of ten to fifteen minutes.
What you get
- A large bank of words across four levels, from first everyday words to advanced vocabulary
- Pronunciation using your browser's built-in voice, with a slow option
- Example sentences, synonyms and antonyms for every word
- A streak calendar, XP, ranks and badges to keep practice fun
- A Word Book to browse words and see which you have learned
- Words matched to age and level that adjust as you improve
Privacy: nothing is tracked
There are no accounts, no ads and no analytics. Everything you do in Hoot Words (your name, age, level and learned words) is saved only in your own browser, on your own device, using cookies. It is never sent to a server. This means clearing your cookies, using a private window, or switching to another device or browser starts you fresh. Like any website, the hosting service may keep standard technical logs of page requests. Parents and guardians should supervise young children online.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hoot Words free?
Yes. It is free to use, has no ads and needs no sign-up.
Do I need to create an account?
No. You type a first name or nickname and start learning.
Where is my progress saved?
Only in your own browser, using cookies on your device. Nothing is sent to or stored on a server. If you clear your cookies or switch device, you start fresh.
What ages is it for?
About 6 to 12. Words come in four levels: Sprout (ages 6-7), Starter (ages 8-9), Explorer (ages 10-11) and Challenger (ages 12 and up).
How are the daily words chosen?
Most of each day's words are new words at your level, with a few earlier words mixed in for review. You can swap the day's words, and choose 5, 10, 15 or any number from 1 to 100 words a day.
Will it help with selective school exams?
A strong vocabulary supports reading comprehension and writing, which are part of selective school entrance tests. Hoot Words is a practice tool, not an official exam resource, and cannot guarantee any result. Read our vocabulary guide for selective school prep for study tips.
Is Hoot Words connected to any school or exam provider?
No. It is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any school, education department or exam provider.
Is the word content checked for mistakes?
Word meanings, pronunciations and example sentences were written with the help of AI and may contain mistakes. Please check with a dictionary, teacher or parent. Browser voices also vary and may mispronounce some words.
🦉 Start learning words