Learning Worksheets Phonics Letter X sound
Free printable PDF · letter sounds · ages 4–6
Letter X Sound Worksheet: the /ks/ Sound in Box and Fox (Free PDF)
Box, fox, ox and six: x rarely starts a word, so this page practises the sound x usually makes, /ks/, at the end of words.
The X worksheet at a glance
- Section 1: say /ks/ and trace the letter in capital and small form.
- Section 2: find the 4 /ks/ pictures (fox, ox, T. rex and six) among 12.
- Section 3: picture-to-sound matching for four last sounds.
- Answer key: picture names, answers and quick tips.
Mouth position for /ks/
Say /k/ and /s/ quickly together: /ks/. It is like a tiny kick followed by a hiss. Listen for it at the end of fox and box.
Ways to practise the /ks/ sound
Explain that x is a sneaky letter that likes to hide at the end of words. Say box slowly: b-o-x, then just the end, /ks/. Make a kicking movement for /k/ and a hissing sound for /s/. Then go through the pictures and listen for the /ks/ at the end of each name, not the start. Page 2 lists all the names.
Extra x words
Box, fox, six, mix, wax, fix, taxi, relax.
Tricky bits
Words like x-ray and xylophone start with the letter x but sound different (/eks/ and /z/), which is why they are not used here. The end sound /ks/ is the one children need for reading words like box and six.
Game: Fox in a box
Draw a fox on a card and hide it in a box. Say words aloud: when a word ends with /ks/ (box, six, mix), your child opens the box to find the fox. If not, the box stays shut.
Little and often
Six o’clock, boxes in the cupboard and mixing a cake are good times to say a clear /ks/.
A silly sentence to try
The fox in the box has six socks.
Letter x handwriting
Handwriting pages for this letter: X uppercase · x lowercase · x cursive.
Keep going
Carry on with letter y, then letter z. Once most letter sounds are secure, blend them into CVC words.
Letter X sound questions
Why is the x page about ending sounds?
Very few words start with the /ks/ sound. In early reading, x mostly appears at the end of words like fox, box and six, so that is what children need to hear.
What does x say in x-ray?
In x-ray, the letter x says its name, “ex”. In xylophone it says /z/. These are unusual, so they are left for later.
More answers in the phonics FAQ.
More Letter Sound Worksheets
Also try: CVC words · sight words · alphabet tracing