About Free CVC Words Worksheets with Pictures: Printable Short Vowel Phonics
Words made of a consonant, a short vowel and a consonant, like cat, hen, pig, dog and sun. They are usually the first words children learn to sound out and spell (CCSS RF.K.2d, RF.K.3b).
By the ToolFluency team · Updated October 2026
Free printable CVC words worksheets for kindergarten and grade 1. CVC words are short words of three sounds, consonant-vowel-consonant: cat, bed, pig, dog, bus. Each picture is one of these words; the child says it, taps out the three sounds and writes one sound in each box, or writes just the missing middle sound when the first and last letters are given. Practise one short vowel at a time or mix all five, and print the answer key with it.
How to use
- Choose Spell the word (three empty boxes), Write the middle sound (first and last letters given), or Some of each.
- Pick one short vowel to practise, or All short vowels for review.
- Tick Large print for six big pictures for younger children.
- Press Print worksheet, and print the answer key separately or with it.
- Press New pictures for another sheet with the same settings.
Frequently asked questions
What are CVC words?
Words made of a consonant, a short vowel and a consonant, like cat, hen, pig, dog and sun. They are usually the first words children learn to sound out and spell (CCSS RF.K.2d, RF.K.3b).
Why practise the middle sound on its own?
The short vowel in the middle is the sound beginning readers most often miss or mix up, so writing just that sound gives it focused practice.
What grade is this for?
Kindergarten and grade 1, and for anyone still learning to blend and segment three-sound words.
Is it free?
Yes, free to print with no sign-up. Sheets can also go into a workbook with other worksheets.
Part of ToolFluency’s library of free online tools for Printables. No account needed, no data leaves your device.