The -ain word family
13 words that rhyme
Every word here ends in "-ain". Keep the ending on the page and change only the sound at the front — that one trick turns a single decoded word into a whole list your child can read.
All -ain words
- gain
- main
- pain
- rain
- vain
- brain
- chain
- drain
- grain
- plain
- spain
- stain
- train
How to run a five-minute session
- Say the ending "-ain" three times together.
- Add one sound in front and read: gain.
- Swap the first sound and read again — main, pain, rain.
- Read the whole list top to bottom, then shuffled.
- Finish by having your child write two of the words from memory.
Printable sheet
-ain word family worksheet
Read each -ain word aloud, then trace it. Circle your two favourites and use them in a sentence.
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
Common questions
What words are in the -ain family?
gain, main, pain, rain, vain, brain, chain, drain, grain, plain, spain, stain, train — 13 words in total, all ending in "-ain".
What is a -ain word?
A word that ends with the letters and sound "-ain". Because the ending never changes, a child only has to decode the first sound.
How do you teach the -ain word family?
Write "-ain" once and keep it fixed. Change only the letter in front, one at a time, and have your child read each new word aloud. Ten words in five minutes is normal.
Play the -ain game
Sound Wheels spins the first sound while the ending stays put — kids read the whole family without noticing.
Play freeTeacher or school? See classroom pricing