Word Sprint

1What you need

Your letter deck, a 60-second timer, and paper and a pen for each player. You need at least 9 letter cards, including 3 vowels (A, E, I, O or U).

2Set it up

Separate vowels and consonants. Shuffle each pile, then reveal 3 vowels and 6 consonants in the middle. Put the remaining cards aside. Agree on a dictionary before starting.

3How to play

1. Start the 60-second timer. Everyone secretly writes as many words as they can using the 9 face-up letters.
2. Words must have at least 3 letters. Each card can be used once per word, but reused in different words. Two copies of a letter need two matching cards.
3. When time is up, stop writing and read your lists aloud. Each distinct valid word on your own list scores once; words shared with another player still count.

4Scoring & winning

Score 1 point per letter in each valid word. Return all 9 cards to their vowel or consonant piles, shuffle and deal a new round. After 5 rounds, the highest total wins. Tied players share the win.

5The finer points

Use dictionary words only: no proper nouns, abbreviations, hyphens or apostrophes. Plurals and verb forms are allowed if listed in your agreed dictionary. Check disputed words after the timer; invalid words score zero. If no one finds a word, score zero and continue.