20 free levels
English · Story Woods
Vocabulary Quest
Crack new words with the clues hiding in each sentence.
- Grades
- 2–6
- Levels
- 48 in 2 tracks
- Free
- 20 levels
- Session
- 4–10 minutes
What it is
Explore illustrated scenes where every sentence holds a new word. Use the clues around it to match each word to the meaning card it fits, with a picture where it helps. Later quests add synonyms and antonyms, words with more than one meaning, and the Greek and Latin roots that unlock whole families of words.
What children learn
Builds vocabulary strategies, not memorized lists: using context clues, relating words to synonyms and antonyms, choosing the meaning of multiple-meaning words, and using Greek and Latin roots as meaning clues.
What it teaches
- Multiple-meaning words
- Greek and Latin roots
- Vocabulary in context
- Synonyms and antonyms
How to play
Drag a meaning card onto a word, or tap a word and then tap a card. Tap a matched card to take it back. Keyboard: Tab to a word and press Enter, then Tab to a card and press Enter. Press Check when every word has a card.
Plays with: Touch Mouse Keyboard
Accessibility
- Read-aloud on request
- Fully playable with a keyboard
- Calm mode with reduced motion
- No timers or time pressure
- Never relies on color alone
- Quiet mode turns off sound effects
Level maps
Tracks and levels
Each track is made for a grade range. Start anywhere that fits — you don't have to play the younger tracks first. As a guest, your stars are saved on this device.
Word Explorers
Context clues, then synonyms and antonyms.
2–4
24 levels · 10 free
Word Explorers
Context clues, then synonyms and antonyms. · 2–4
- 1 Clue Garden 1 ☆☆☆
- 2 Clue Garden 2 ☆☆☆
- 3 Clue Garden 3 ☆☆☆
- 4 Clue Garden 4 ☆☆☆
- 5 Clue Garden 5 ☆☆☆
- 6 Clue Garden Challenge ☆☆☆
- 7 Word Woods 1 ☆☆☆
- 8 Word Woods 2 ☆☆☆
- 9 Word Woods 3 ☆☆☆
- 10 Word Woods 4 ☆☆☆
- 11 Word Woods 5 Plan level
- 12 Word Woods Challenge Plan level
- 13 Twin Trail 1 Plan level
- 14 Twin Trail 2 Plan level
- 15 Twin Trail 3 Plan level
- 16 Twin Trail 4 Plan level
- 17 Twin Trail 5 Plan level
- 18 Twin Trail Challenge Plan level
- 19 Opposite Island 1 Plan level
- 20 Opposite Island 2 Plan level
- 21 Opposite Island 3 Plan level
- 22 Opposite Island 4 Plan level
- 23 Opposite Island 5 Plan level
- 24 Opposite Island Challenge Plan level
Levels after 10 are part of a PlayOwl plan. Free levels, saving and basic reports stay free.
Word Scholars
Multiple-meaning words, harder context clues, Greek and Latin roots.
4–6
24 levels · 10 free
Word Scholars
Multiple-meaning words, harder context clues, Greek and Latin roots. · 4–6
- 1 Double Meanings 1 ☆☆☆
- 2 Double Meanings 2 ☆☆☆
- 3 Double Meanings 3 ☆☆☆
- 4 Double Meanings 4 ☆☆☆
- 5 Double Meanings 5 ☆☆☆
- 6 Double Meanings Challenge ☆☆☆
- 7 Context Quest 1 ☆☆☆
- 8 Context Quest 2 ☆☆☆
- 9 Context Quest 3 ☆☆☆
- 10 Context Quest 4 ☆☆☆
- 11 Context Quest 5 Plan level
- 12 Context Quest Challenge Plan level
- 13 Root Cellar 1 Plan level
- 14 Root Cellar 2 Plan level
- 15 Root Cellar 3 Plan level
- 16 Root Cellar 4 Plan level
- 17 Root Cellar 5 Plan level
- 18 Root Cellar Challenge Plan level
- 19 Root Explorers 1 Plan level
- 20 Root Explorers 2 Plan level
- 21 Root Explorers 3 Plan level
- 22 Root Explorers 4 Plan level
- 23 Root Explorers 5 Plan level
- 24 Root Explorers Challenge Plan level
Levels after 10 are part of a PlayOwl plan. Free levels, saving and basic reports stay free.
Off screen
Print & play
Paper activities that go with this game.
Number code: context clues
English · Grade 3 · Puzzle · 1 page
Context clues: Grade 4 words: fill in the blanks
English · Grade 4 · Reading · 1 page
Context clues comic strip: 6 panels
English · Grade 5 · Worksheet · 1 page
The water bear: tiny but tough: stretch
English · Grade 5 · Reading · 2 pages
Connotation and denotation comic strip: 6 panels
English · Grade 6 · Worksheet · 1 page
Cryptogram: Greek and Latin roots for body and life
English · Grade 6 · Puzzle · 1 page
The centipede's broken promise: stretch
English · Grade 6 · Reading · 2 pages
Connotation and denotation comic strip: 5 panels
English · Grade 7 · Worksheet · 1 page
Greek and Latin roots for body and life comic strip: 6 panels
English · Grade 7 · Worksheet · 1 page
Roots for movement and communication word scramble
English · Grade 7 · Puzzle · 1 page
The clocks in the sky: stretch
English · Grade 7 · Reading · 3 pages
Roots for movement and communication match-up
English · Grade 8 · Worksheet · 1 page
College-prep vocabulary set 1 comic strip: 6 panels
English · Grade 9 · Worksheet · 1 page
College-prep vocabulary: set 2 word scramble
English · Grade 9 · Puzzle · 1 page
College-prep vocabulary: set 3 word search
English · 10–11 · Puzzle · 1 page
College-prep vocabulary: set 4 match-up
English · Grade 11 · Worksheet · 1 page
College-prep vocabulary: set 4 match-up
English · Grade 12 · Worksheet · 1 page
College-prep vocabulary: set 5 crossword
English · Grade 12 · Puzzle · 1 page
Keep exploring
Guide for grown-ups
- How to improve reading comprehension: strategies that work for kidsA guide for parents and teachers · 7 min read
Reading games by grade
More from Story Woods
Other english games, each with its own free levels.