This takes a little time to set up but lasts for a long time - especially if you can laminate the work.

Based on the card game pairs, write a selection of synonyms on separate pieces of card, e.g. big, large; happy, jolly etc.

In pairs or small groups the children place all the cards face down on the table. The first player picks a card and reads it, he or she then picks a second card. If it is the correct synonym the child keeps both cards and has another go. If the word is not a synonym they put both cards back on the table face down and the next child has a go. The child with the most cards at the end wins.

This encourages the child to think about words and use a dictionary to look up the ones he or she doesn't know. Obviously the more able the child the more difficult the words such as catching and contagious, unhappy and melancholy. The even better thing is they work independently!!!!!!