Spelling That Actually Sticks.
Age-aware spelling practice from Junior through Legacy.
Built by a homeschool mom of three for kids who learn differently.
Coming soon to Android
Why I Built This
Hi, I'm Kelly Vanderbeek. Homeschool mom of three. I'm dyslexic.
I was using a popular free homeschool curriculum, but the ads were so distracting I'd catch myself shopping on Temu instead of teaching. My kids struggled with the same thing.
My sixth-grader Silas needed something different. Letters move on the page for him. Words don't stick. Traditional spelling apps felt babyish or frustrating.
So I built what he needed. And he helped.
The red/green letter feedback that parents love most? That was Silas's idea.
What Families Are Saying
"We love Spell Strike Tactical. I have a child who struggles with multiple learning disabilities and this has been amazing to incorporate into his spelling lessons."
— Haley, App Store Review
"Kross played it in the car all the way to Taekwondo. Anything that gets my boy spelling practice gets my vote!"
— Candace J.
"This app is the best thing since sliced bread. 10/10 would recommend."
— App Store Review
"Super fun and will make your kiddos learn to love learning!"
— App Store Review
More Than Memorization
Most spelling apps make kids memorize. We teach them how English actually works.
Spelling Tip
Remember the tricky parts of every word.
In Context
Word in context with cheeky military humor.
Etymology
Where the word comes from — Greek, Latin, and beyond.
Why it matters: Kids learn pattern recognition. Greek roots. Latin endings. Why "ph" sounds like "f." Suddenly they can spell words they've never seen before.
That's not memorization. That's literacy.
What You Get
All 26 Missions
NATO Alpha through Zulu — every mission is fully playable, free.
Daily Missions
One new word every day, free forever.
Visual + Audio + Etymology
Hear it, see it, understand where it came from.
Built for Grades 6–12
Older kids who feel patronized by other apps.
XP, Ranks & Themes
Earn XP, rise through the ranks, unlock color themes.
No Ads. Ever.
Just learning — no distractions, no upsells mid-session.
Parent Dashboard
Real progress reports for every child — perfect for homeschool records.
Multiple Child Profiles
Add all your kids. One price, no per-child fees, ever.
Custom Word Lists
Import your own curriculum's spelling words directly into the game.
Screen Time Controls
Set session timers from the parent portal. A countdown bar keeps sessions on schedule.
Battle Mode
When Spelling Becomes a Family Sport.
Available exclusively in the iOS app, Battle Mode lets up to 4 players compete in real-time spelling battles — with age-appropriate words for each player.
A 3rd grader can battle a 12th grader. Kids can challenge parents. Each player gets words matched to their grade level, so it's always fair.
Mission Mode
Spell words from the missions.
Elimination Mode
First to miss is out.
Classic Mode
Choose up to 15 words to battle.
Family game night just got smarter.
Honest Pricing
All 26 missions are free — no credit card, no account required. The Family Pass unlocks the parent features: progress reports, multiple child profiles, and custom word lists.
Free
forever
All 26 missions, daily words, XP & ranks, etymology, audio — no account needed.
Family Pass
/year
14-day free trial, then parent portal, progress reports, multiple child profiles, and custom word lists. Covers every kid.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Spell Strike Universe free?
- Yes. All 26 missions, the daily word, XP, ranks, color themes, etymology, and spoken audio are completely free on the web with no account or signup and no ads. An optional Family Pass is $12.99/year after a 14-day free trial and adds parent features: a progress dashboard, multiple child profiles, custom word lists, and screen-time controls.
- Who is Spell Strike Universe designed for?
- Spell Strike Universe uses age-aware Junior, Core/Tactical, and Legacy paths for younger learners, teens, and adults. It works well for homeschool spelling lessons, classroom and after-school practice, spelling bee prep, and vocabulary building.
- Is it good for kids with dyslexia or who learn differently?
- Yes. It was created by a dyslexic homeschool mom for kids who learn differently. The clean, ad-free design, spoken audio, and instant red/green letter-by-letter feedback are specifically intended to support kids who struggle with traditional spelling worksheets.
- Does Spell Strike Universe have a mobile app?
- Yes. Spell Strike Universe is available as a free iOS app on the Apple App Store. Progress syncs between the web and the iOS app on the same family account. The iOS app also adds Battle Mode, a real-time multiplayer mode. Android is coming soon.
- Is Spell Strike Universe good for spelling bee practice?
- Yes. Words and definitions are read aloud, much like a real spelling bee, and each word includes its meaning, an example sentence, and its etymology — the same information spellers are allowed to ask for. Kids can replay audio, learn the Greek and Latin roots behind unfamiliar words, and revisit missions to reinforce tricky spellings.
- What makes Spell Strike Universe different from other spelling apps?
- Spell Strike Universe teaches how English actually works — Greek and Latin roots, patterns, and etymology — instead of rote memorization. It's ad-free and distraction-free, uses age-aware paths plus audio and instant red/green letter feedback, and offers one flat Family Pass that covers every child. The iOS app adds a family Battle Mode for up to four players.