Word Ladders! Learn How to Play Word Ladders

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What Is a Word Ladder?

In a Word Ladder, you start with one word and need to change it into another word. But here’s the twist: You can only change one letter at a time, and each new word you create has to be a real word. You continue changing letters one by one until you reach the target word.

Here’s a quick example:

• Start: CAT
• End: DOG

How do you get there?

1. CAT → COT (change the A to O)
2. COT → DOT (change the C to D)
3. DOT → DOG (change the T to G)

And just like that, you’ve made it from CAT to DOG!

How to Play

1. Pick Your Words: Choose a starting word and an ending word. Make sure they have the same number of letters! For example, “LIME” and “LEAD” both have four letters, so they’re a good choice.
2. Change One Letter at a Time: Start with your first word and change only one letter at a time. Each word you form must still be a valid word.
3. Keep Going Until You Reach the End: You’ll continue changing letters, one by one, until you’ve reached your final word.

Tips

• Look for common prefixes and suffixes: Words like “ING” or “ER” can often be helpful to look for in your changes.
• Start simple: Begin with easier words and work your way up to harder challenges!

Fun Challenges to Try

Now that you know how to play, it’s time for you to have a go! See if you can complete some word ladders! (The solutions are at the bottom of the page, but NO CHEATING!!!)

1. MOON → MART
2. WARM → WORK
3. PINK → BUNT
4. HEAD → HELD
5. FISH → LIST
6. BOOK → POET
7. GOLD → GOAD → TOLD
8. TIME → DUNE
9. HOME → BOND
10. HAND → BONE
11. TEAR → DOLL

Photo by Ryan Walton on Unsplash

Solutions

1. MOON → MOOT → MORT → MART
2. WARM → WORM → WORD → WORK
3. PINK → PINT → BINT → BUNT
4. HEAD → HEAL → HELL → HELD
5. FISH → FIST → LIST
6. BOOK → BOOT → POOT → POET
7. GOLD → GOAD → TOLD
8. TIME → TINE → TUNE → DUNE
9. HOME → HOSE → BONE → BOND
10. HAND → BAND → BANE → BONE
11. TEAR → TEAM → DEAL → DOLL