CVC -en Word Family Worksheets for Preschool (No Writing)
Age Group: 3–5 years No. of Pages: 5 Format: Printable PDF
These 5 printable pages introduce the CVC -en word family to children aged 3–5 who are not writing yet. Children read words like hen, pen, ten, men, match them to pictures and listen for sounds.
Get This Worksheet
About This Worksheet
Changing just the first letter turns hen into pen, then ten. That simple pattern is what the -en word family teaches, and it gives young children an early route into reading on their own.
Because there is no writing, even children who are still building pencil grip can practise the -en family with confidence.
Activities in This Pack
Five pages, five ways to practise -en words:
- CVC -en word list to read together (hen, pen, ten, men)
- Match each picture to its -en word
- Beginning sounds: find the first letter of each -en word
- Select the matching -en word
- Select the matching picture
Skills Your Child Practises
- Hearing the beginning sound in ten and men
- Recognising the -en ending by sight
- Visual matching of words and pictures
- Reading -en words such as hen and pen
- Blending sounds: h-e-n, hen
How to Use This Worksheet
- Read the -en word list together and point to each letter as you say it.
- Blend slowly: h-e-n, hen. Then try pen the same way.
- Swap the first letter to make new words, for example hen to pen.
- Do one or two pages at a time so it stays fun.
- When your child is confident, move on to the -en reading and writing pack.
About the -en Word Family
Every -en word uses the short e sound, as in egg. In this pack your child meets hen, pen, ten and men. When those feel easy, say other -en words aloud together: den, Ben, then and when. Ask your child which letter changes each time.
Say it together: “Ten men see a hen.” Point to each -en word as you say it.
What’s Next?
Next: CVC -et Word Family Worksheets for Preschool, the -et word family. For more, see all our CVC worksheets.
Ready for writing? Try the CVC -en reading and writing worksheets, the same word family with writing practice.
Where This Worksheet Fits
This pack is part of our short e CVC word families. For each family, start with the no-writing pack, then move on to reading and writing:
- -ed: No writing · Reading and writing
- -eg: No writing · Reading and writing
- -en: No writing (this pack) · Reading and writing
- -et: No writing · Reading and writing
More Worksheets
Frequently Asked Questions
Which -en words are in this pack?
The word list uses hen, pen, ten and men. When those feel easy, try other -en words out loud, such as den, Ben, then and when.
What sound does -en make?
It joins the short e sound, as in egg, with the final n. Say it slowly: h-e-n, hen.
Does my child need to write in the -en pack?
No. Every -en activity uses pointing, circling or matching, so it suits children who are not writing yet.
How many pages are in the -en pack, and what do I need?
There are 5 printable pages. You only need a printer and crayons or a pencil for circling.
Get 1 New Worksheet Every Week
Join 10000+ parents and teachers. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Looking for more? Browse all our CVC word family worksheets and English worksheets for preschool and kindergarten.