Adventures with the Letter W

Let's wander into the world of the wonderful, wiggly letter W! It's the start of water, windows, and warm wishes. We'll learn its zigzag shape and the whooshing sound it makes.

Getting to Know the Letter W:

The letter W is a wonderfully wide consonant! It looks like two letter V's holding hands, creating a fun, zigzag pattern, like a wave in the water. It's one of the most exciting letters to trace. Let's do it in the air: a big slide down, a climb back up, another big slide down, and a final climb back up! To make its sound, you do something fun with your lips. You make your lips into a small, round 'o' shape and then release a quick 'wuh' sound, like the sound you hear at the start of 'water' and 'wind'. Can you try making a windy 'wuh, wuh, wuh' sound?

- The Whizki Learning Team

Wonderful Words that Start with W

Wonder is the engine of learning, and words are the map for exploration. The letter W is full of words about our world. Exploring them together is a wonderful way to spark curiosity. Here are some of our favorite 'W' words.

Nouns Starting with W

Water
A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid that is essential for all living things. We drink water to stay healthy, play in it at the beach, and watch it fall as rain. It is one of the most important substances on Earth.
What is your favorite way to play with water?
Window
An opening in the wall of a building, typically covered with glass, to admit light and air. A window is like a picture frame for the world outside. It lets us watch the birds, see the weather, and feel the sunshine from inside our cozy home.
Let's look out the window right now. What is the most interesting thing you see?
World
The Earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features. The world is a huge, amazing, and diverse place, full of different people, animals, and beautiful landscapes to explore and learn about.
If you could visit anywhere in the whole wide world, where would you go?
Wind
The natural movement of the air. You can't see the wind, but you can feel it on your skin and see it move the leaves on the trees. The wind can be a gentle breeze or a powerful gust, and it helps to fly a kite.
Let's go outside. Can you feel the wind on your face right now?
Wolf
A wild carnivorous mammal which is the largest member of the dog family, living and hunting in packs. Wolves are known for their beautiful coats, their intelligence, and their famous howl at the moon. They are powerful and social animals.
Can you show me your best, loudest wolf howl?
Whale
A very large mammal that lives in the ocean. Whales are the largest animals on Earth! They breathe air but live their whole lives in the water. They are known for their gentle nature and the beautiful songs they sing.
If you could ask a giant whale one question, what would it be?
Worm
A long, thin creature with no bones and no legs that lives in the ground. Worms are very important helpers in the garden. They wiggle through the soil, making it healthy for plants to grow.
Let's gently dig in the garden soil. Do you think we will find a wiggly worm?
Web
A network of fine threads constructed by a spider to catch its prey. A spider's web is an amazing piece of engineering, both strong and beautiful, especially when it's covered in morning dew.
What do you think it would feel like to be a spider, walking on your own web?
Wheel
A circular object that revolves on an axle and is fixed below a vehicle to enable it to move easily over the ground. Wheels are one of the most important inventions in history! They are on our cars, bikes, and toys.
How many things with wheels can you find in our house?
Wish
A strong desire or hope for something that is not easily attainable. You can make a wish on a birthday candle or a shooting star. It's a hopeful and imaginative way of thinking about your dreams for the future.
If you had one wish right now that could come true, what would you wish for?

Verbs Starting with W

Walk
To move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once. Going for a walk is a wonderful way to explore our neighborhood, get some gentle exercise, and talk together.
Where is your favorite place to go for a walk?
Watch
To look at or observe something attentively over a period of time. You can watch a movie, or you can watch the clouds drift by. It means to use your eyes to pay close attention to what is happening.
Let's watch the squirrels in the yard. What silly things are they doing?
Want
To have a desire to possess or do something; to wish for. It's normal to want things, like a new toy or a special snack. It's an important feeling that tells us what we desire, and it helps us set goals.
What is one thing you want to learn how to do this year?
Wish
To have a strong desire or hope for something. It's a verb that is full of imagination and hope. When we wish for something, we are sending our best thoughts out into the universe.
What do you wish for our family?
Work
To do an activity involving mental or physical effort in order to achieve a purpose or result. Building a block tower is hard work, and so is learning to read. Work can be very satisfying and make us feel proud.
What is one type of 'work' that you actually think is a lot of fun?
Win
To be successful or victorious in a contest or conflict. It feels exciting to win a game! It's also important to remember that the most important part of playing is having fun, not always winning.
What does it mean to be a 'good sport' even if you don't win?
Wake
To emerge from a state of sleep. Waking up in the morning is the start of a brand new day, full of new chances to play and learn. It's a fresh beginning to a new adventure.
What is your favorite way to wake up in the morning?
Wash
To clean with water and, typically, soap. We wash our hands to get rid of germs and stay healthy, and we wash our clothes to make them clean and fresh. It's a very important and responsible habit.
What is your favorite part about taking a bubbly bath?
Wear
To have clothing, jewelry, or other items on one's body. We wear different clothes for different types of weather and occasions. The clothes we wear can be a fun way to express our personality.
If you could wear anything you wanted today, what would your outfit be?
Wave
To move one's hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal. A wave is a friendly, silent way to say 'hello' or 'goodbye' to someone, even from a distance. It's a simple act of connection.
Let's wave to the next person we see walking outside.

Adjectives Starting with W

Wet
Covered or saturated with water or another liquid. The opposite of dry. Rain makes the grass wet, and you get wet when you go swimming. It's a fun sensory feeling, but it's important to get warm and dry afterward!
What is your favorite activity that makes you get all wet?
White
The color of milk or fresh snow; the opposite of black. Clouds are white, and paper is often white. It is a pure, clean color that contains all the other colors of the rainbow within it.
Let's find three things in this room that are perfectly white.
Warm
Of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature. The opposite of cold. A hug is warm, a blanket is warm, and the sun feels warm on your skin. It is a very cozy and comforting feeling.
What is the warmest, coziest spot in our entire house?
Wide
Of great or more than average width. The opposite of narrow. A river can be very wide, and you can make a wide smile. It helps us describe the size and space of things.
Can you stretch your arms out as wide as they can go?
Wild
Living or growing in the natural environment; not domesticated or cultivated. A wolf is a wild animal, and a jungle is a wild place. It describes things that are untamed and free in nature.
If you were a wild animal, where would you want to live?
Whole
All of; entire. If you eat the whole apple, it means you ate every single piece. It's an important concept for understanding parts and the entirety of something. It means nothing is missing.
If you had one whole day to do anything you want, what would you do?
Wonderful
Inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good. It's a word for a truly fantastic and magical experience, person, or thing. It's a big word for a big, happy feeling.
What is the most wonderful thing that has happened to you today?
Wrong
Not correct or true; incorrect. The opposite of right. It's okay to get a wrong answer when you're learning. Making mistakes is the best way to learn and figure out the right way to do something.
What do we do when we find out we've made a mistake?
Wooden
Made of wood. A table can be wooden, and so can many of our blocks and toys. Wood comes from trees, so a wooden object is a beautiful piece of nature that we can have in our home.
Can you find three different wooden things in this room?
Windy
Marked by or exposed to strong winds. A windy day is perfect for flying a kite. You can feel the powerful whoosh of the air and see the trees dancing. It's an exciting type of weather to experience.
What does your hair do on a very windy day?

Adverbs Starting with W

Well
In a good or satisfactory way. When you do a job well, it means you did it with care and skill. 'Sleep well' is a kind thing to say to someone. It describes an action that is done to a high standard.
What is one thing you know how to do very well?
When
A word used to ask about the time that something happened or will happen. 'When is my birthday?' It's one of the most important question words, helping us to understand time and sequence.
When do you feel the happiest during the day?
Where
In or to what place or position. 'Where are my shoes?' It's another crucial question word that helps us understand location and space. It is the first word in any treasure hunt.
Where is your favorite place in the whole world to be?
Why
For what reason or purpose. 'Why is the sky blue?' This is perhaps the most important question word of all! Asking 'why' shows you are curious and want to understand the world on a deeper level.
What is one big 'why' question you have about the world?

Practice the Letter W at Home (No Screens Needed!)

The best learning happens through play. Here are a few simple, screen-free ideas to continue your letter W adventure together and make learning a part of your daily life.

Water Play & Experiments

~1
This is a classic sensory activity that is endlessly engaging for young children. It connects the letter 'W' to the wonders of 'Water'. You'll need a large bin or you can use a sink or bathtub. Provide various tools for exploration: cups for pouring, funnels, sponges, and a collection of small, waterproof toys. Let your child freely explore pouring, scooping, and splashing. This simple play is a foundational science lesson in concepts like volume and cause-and-effect. You can also turn it into a 'Sink or Float' experiment. Gather various objects and have your child predict which ones will sink and which will float. This introduces the scientific method in a fun, hands-on, and wonderfully wet way!

Window Art with Washable Paint

~2
This is a unique and beautiful art experience that connects the letter 'W' to 'Window' and 'Washable'. It allows children to paint on a large, vertical surface, which is great for building arm and shoulder strength for writing. You'll need kid-safe, washable paint (like tempera paint) or special window crayons/markers. A window or a sliding glass door becomes your canvas! Let your child paint whatever they wish. The way the light shines through the colors is truly magical. It's a completely different experience than painting on paper. The best part? It's easy to clean up! A little water and a cloth will wash it all away, leaving a clean slate for the next masterpiece. This activity fosters creativity in a very freeing and unusual way.

Weaving a Wonderful Web

~3
This is a calming and focused activity that is fantastic for developing fine motor skills, concentration, and pattern recognition. It connects the letter 'W' to the idea of 'Weaving'. Create a simple loom by cutting small, evenly spaced notches into the opposite ends of a piece of sturdy cardboard. Then, wrap string vertically around the cardboard, fitting it into the notches. This is your 'warp'. Now, provide thick, colorful yarn. Show your child how to weave the yarn 'over' and 'under' the strings from one side to the other. This simple, repetitive motion is very meditative and the result is a beautiful woven creation. It's a perfect, quiet-time activity that builds incredible dexterity and patience.

Your Alphabet Adventure Map

Think of this as your family's personal map to the world of letters. Each letter below is a gateway to its own unique adventure, filled with fun words, hands-on activities, and printable worksheets. Click on any letter to begin exploring its sounds, shapes, and the stories it can tell.

Join the Screen-Free Movement.

Get exclusive activities, expert tips, and inspiration for a more meaningful, offline family life.