Learning TH words for kids can be a little tricky because the TH sound requires kids to place their tongue gently between their teeth. It’s a sound that’s easy to see and demonstrate, but it may take plenty of listening, practice, and playful repetition before kids feel comfortable using it.
The letters TH can also make two different sounds. You can hear the quieter, unvoiced TH sound in thumb and the voiced TH sound in this. When making the voiced sound, kids should be able to feel their throat vibrate.
Below, you’ll find TH words organized by where the sound appears in each word. Every word is included only once, making it easy to create vocabulary activities, pronunciation games, or speech practice lists.
Download this free TH words coloring page! ⤵️
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Easy TH Words for Kids
These familiar words are a great place to begin:
- The
- This
- That
- Them
- They
- Then
- Thin
- Thick
- Thing
- Think
- Thumb
- Three
- Bath
- Math
- Moth
- Tooth
- Teeth
- With
- Both
- Path
TH Words That Start With TH
These words have the TH sound at the beginning. Encourage kids to watch your mouth as you say each word slowly.
- Thank
- Thaw
- Theater
- Theme
- There
- These
- Thief
- Thigh
- Thimble
- Thirst
- Thorn
- Those
- Thought
- Thousand
- Thread
- Throat
- Throne
- Through
- Throw
- Thunder
- Thursday
- Thirteen
- Thirty
- Thistle
- Thud
- Thump
- Thermos
- Thunderstorm
- Thanksgiving
- Thumbs-up
Words With TH in the Middle
The TH sound can be harder to notice when it appears in the middle of a word. Try clapping the syllables and saying each part slowly.
- Athlete
- Author
- Bathtub
- Birthday
- Brother
- Clothing
- Earthworm
- Everything
- Father
- Feather
- Healthy
- Leather
- Mother
- Nothing
- Panther
- Python
- Something
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Weather
- Whether
- Together
- Another
- Anything
- Bathroom
- Smoothie
- Grandmother
- Grandfather
- Earthquake
- Without
Words That End With TH
When the TH sound comes at the end of a word, remind kids not to replace it with an F, S, or T sound. Saying the word slowly can help them hear and feel the difference.
- Beneath
- Booth
- Breath
- Broth
- Cloth
- Earth
- Faith
- Fifth
- Fourth
- Growth
- Health
- Mouth
- North
- Ninth
- Ruth
- Seventh
- Sixth
- Smooth
- South
- Tenth
- Truth
- Wealth
- Wreath
- Youth
- Twelfth
- Strength
- Length
- Depth
- Worth
- Warmth
Unvoiced TH Words for Kids
The unvoiced TH sound is made by gently blowing air between the tongue and teeth. The vocal cords don’t vibrate. Kids can place a hand on their throat to check.
Here are some examples:
- Thirty
- Tooth
- Thumb
- Moth
- Birthday
- Earth
- Healthy
- South
Voiced TH Words for Kids
The voiced TH sound uses the same tongue position, but the vocal cords vibrate. Have kids touch their throats while saying the words so they can feel the gentle buzzing.
Here are some examples:
- They
- Those
- There
- Mother
- Brother
- Together
- Weather
- Clothing
How to Practice TH Words With Kids
Practicing sounds doesn’t need to feel like a formal lesson. Short, playful experiences are often more enjoyable and give kids plenty of opportunities to hear and use new words naturally.
• Look in a Mirror
Let kids watch themselves make the TH sound in a mirror. They should be able to see the tip of their tongue gently peeking between their teeth.
Make silly faces and exaggerate the sound to keep the experience playful.
• Go on a TH Word Hunt
Look around the house, classroom, playground, or grocery store for objects and ideas containing the TH sound. Kids might notice a toothbrush, bathtub, thread, clothing, or something thick.
• Sort the Words
Write words on cards and sort them according to whether the TH sound comes at the beginning, middle, or end. You could also sort them by voiced and unvoiced sounds.
• Play a Listening Game
Say several words aloud and have kids give a thumbs-up whenever they hear the TH sound. Mix in words without TH so they have to listen carefully.
• Use TH Words in Silly Sentences
Choose two or three words and use them in a funny sentence. For example:
- Three moths took a bath.
- The panther wore a thimble.
- My brother found a feather in the bathtub.
- The thief threw a toothbrush.
The sentences don’t need to make sense. In fact, kids may be more interested in repeating them when they’re wonderfully ridiculous.
• Read Books Together
Books naturally introduce kids to sounds and vocabulary without requiring them to memorize word lists. As you read, listen for TH words and point them out occasionally.
There’s no need to stop at every example. Keeping the story enjoyable is more important.
Tips for Teaching the TH Sound
Show kids how the sound is made, but try not to pressure them to repeat it perfectly. Speech sounds develop over time, and TH is often one of the later sounds kids master.
Keep practice brief, model the sound clearly, and use the words during real conversations and play. If you’re concerned about a kid’s speech development or ability to be understood, a speech-language pathologist can provide individualized guidance.
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Final Thoughts on TH Words for Kids
This list of TH words for kids can be used for vocabulary building, sound recognition, reading practice, scavenger hunts, and playful speech activities. Begin with familiar words, demonstrate how the sound is made, and give kids lots of relaxed opportunities to listen and experiment.
The goal isn’t perfect pronunciation during every activity. It’s helping kids notice the sound, become familiar with new words, and feel confident using language.
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