Build a Face: A Spelling Game – Help & Support

Welcome! This page is the home for help, tips, and support for Build a Face: A Spelling Game, an iOS app that turns weekly spelling lists into a fun, low-pressure game for kids.

What Is Build a Face: A Spelling Game?

Build a Face: A Spelling Game is a kid-friendly twist on the classic hangman-style word game.

Instead of building a hangman, kids build a happy face.
Each correct letter helps complete the face.
When they guess the word, the face smiles and confetti falls.
There are no penalties for wrong guesses – kids can keep trying until they get it.

The app was originally created to help a 7-year-old practice weekly spelling words from school. Parents, teachers, and homeschoolers can use it to make spelling practice more fun and less stressful.

Who Is It For?

Kids roughly ages 5–9 (K–3)
Early readers who need more spelling practice
Sensitive kids who don’t enjoy “game over” or punishing games
Parents, teachers, and homeschoolers who want an easy way to practice weekly word lists

Getting Started

1. Download the app

Install Build a Face: A Spelling Game from the iOS App Store on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Create a word list

Open the app.
Go to the section for word lists (for example: “Add List” or “New List”).
Give your list a name, such as Week 3 Spelling or Test Prep.
Type in the spelling words you want your child to practice.
Save the list when you’re done.

You can create new lists each week, or make lists for themes (e.g., “Animals”, “Sight Words”, “Tricky Words”).

3. Play a game

Select a word list you’ve created.
Start the game – the app will pick a word from that list.
Your child taps letters to guess how the word is spelled.
Each correct letter helps build parts of a friendly face.
When they spell the whole word correctly, the face smiles and confetti appears.

Wrong guesses do not erase progress or punish the player. This keeps the focus on learning and practice, not on fear of making a mistake.

Tips for Parents & Teachers

Short sessions work best. 5–10 minutes a day is plenty for younger kids.
Talk through the words. Ask questions like “What sound does this letter make?” or “What letter do you think comes next?”
Use real school lists. Enter the words from your child’s weekly spelling homework so the game directly supports what they’re learning.
Celebrate effort. Praise kids for trying new words and sticking with it, not just for getting everything right.
Mix in review words. Keep earlier words in rotation to help them stick long-term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the game punish wrong answers?

No. There are no penalties for wrong guesses. Kids can try letters freely and learn from trial and error without losing progress or seeing anything scary.

Is this just like hangman?

It’s inspired by the same basic idea of guessing letters to discover a hidden word, but instead of building a hangman, children build a . The tone is positive and gentle.

Can I use my own spelling words?

Yes. That’s the main idea of the app. You can create custom word lists with your child’s real spelling words from school, tutoring, or homeschooling.

What ages is this best for?

Build a Face is designed mainly for children around ages 5–9, but any child who is practicing spelling or early reading may enjoy it.

Can I create multiple lists?

Yes. You can create separate lists for different weeks, difficulty levels, or children as needed. For example: “Week 1,” “Week 2,” “Sight Words,” or “Challenging Words.”

Can I use this in a classroom or homeschool setting?

Absolutely. Many teachers and homeschooling parents like using simple, focused apps like this as a center activity, free-choice option, or part of daily spelling practice.

Troubleshooting

The app isn’t behaving as expected.

Make sure you’re on the latest version of iOS supported by the app.
Try fully closing and reopening the app.
If the problem continues, you can reach out using the contact options below.

I entered a word incorrectly. How do I fix it?

Go back to the word list you created and edit or delete the word. Then save the list again. The updated spelling will be used in future games.

The app crashed or froze. What should I do?

Restart the app and see if the issue repeats.
If possible, note what you were doing when it happened (for example, “adding a new word” or “starting a new game”).
Contact support with as much detail as you can, including your device model and iOS version.

Feedback, Suggestions, and Support

If you have questions, find a bug, or have ideas that could make Build a Face: A Spelling Game better, I’d love to hear from you.

You can leave a comment on this page with your question or feedback.
Or contact me via the support options listed on the App Store page.

Please include the following information when asking for help:

Your device model (e.g., iPhone 13, iPad 9th gen)
Your iOS version (e.g., iOS 18.x)
A short description of what happened and what you were doing at the time

Thank You

Thank you for supporting Build a Face: A Spelling Game and for helping kids develop confidence with spelling in a kind, encouraging way. I hope this app makes weekly spelling practice a little more fun for your family or classroom!

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Build a Face: Spelling Game