National Scrabble Day

Categories:: Fun
Tags:: Family Lifestyle
Where:: Other
Date change rule:: Every April 13
Holiday emoji:: 🎲

National Scrabble Day casts a spell on us every April 13, celebrating the birth of its inventor, Alfred Mosher Butts. This iconic board game has captivated millions worldwide for decades. It’s time to gather your friends and family, lift the lid on that game box, and spell out some serious fun!

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected National Scrabble Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Scrabble Day often brings delightful deals for word game enthusiasts. Look for discounts on classic Scrabble sets, travel editions, and digital versions across major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Specialty game stores may offer promotions on accessories or unique Scrabble-themed merchandise. Keep an eye out for apps like Words With Friends or Scrabble GO to potentially offer in-app bonuses or limited-time premium access. Some bookstores, such as Barnes & Noble, might host game nights or offer discounts on dictionaries and word-puzzle books. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 13 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Scrabble Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalScrabbleDay. Share photos of your highest-scoring words, unique game setups, or Scrabble-themed snacks.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalScrabbleDay. Film quick videos of challenging word builds, Scrabble hacks, or funny game-night moments with friends.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalScrabbleDay. Organize a virtual Scrabble tournament with your community or share tips for improving your vocabulary.

National Scrabble Day Hero

Alfred Mosher Butts

Alfred Mosher Butts (1899–1993) was an American architect and game designer, best known as the inventor of Scrabble. After studying the frequency of letters in The New York Times, he developed the game in the 1930s, initially calling it 'Criss-Crosswords.' His meticulous research into letter distribution and scoring created a timeless game that continues to challenge and entertain millions globally.

National Scrabble Day timeline

1938

Lexico?

Inventor Alfred Mosher Butts created Scrabble as a variation on an earlier word game and called it Lexico.

1948

New name

James Brunot bought the rights to the game and called it "Scrabble," which means "to scratch frantically."

1952

Macy's ordered the game

Jack Straus, president of Macy's, placed a large order for this game after playing it on vacation.

1984

Scrabble's newest word: TV

"Scrabble" aired as a daytime game show on NBC.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Scrabble Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Scrabble Day by hosting themed events or offering word-related promotions. Cafes and bookstores could organize ‘Scrabble & Sip’ evenings, encouraging customers to play while enjoying refreshments. Retailers might offer discounts on educational games or books to promote literacy. Even restaurants could create special menu items with playful, word-themed names, turning the day into a fun, interactive experience for their patrons.

National Scrabble Day FAQs

When is National Scrabble Day?

In 2027, National Scrabble Day will be observed on Tuesday, April 13. Mark your calendars for a mid-week vocabulary boost and strategic wordplay.

How many people play Scrabble?

Globally, Scrabble remains incredibly popular, with around one-third of American homes owning a set. Its digital adaptations further expand its reach, connecting players across continents.

How many tiles are in a Scrabble set?

The 100 tiles in a Scrabble game are carefully distributed to reflect letter frequency in the English language, ensuring a balanced and challenging game every time you play.

What is the highest-scoring Scrabble word?

The highest theoretical score for a single word in Scrabble is ‘OXYPHENBUTAZONE,’ which could score over 1,700 points with optimal board placement and bonus squares, though this is extremely rare in actual play.

National Scrabble Day Activities

Spend some Scrabble family time
Don't forget the Scrabble Junior game for kids. Rest easy — it has pictures!
Host a Scrabble tournament
Scrabble tournaments can get intense but they are also great fun — so invite some friends!
Play Scrabble online
It's one thing to play with a human, quite another to play with a computer. Are you ready for the challenge?

No Need To Spell Check These 5 Scrabble Facts

Keeping up with the times
The Official Scrabble Dictionary now includes words like “hashtag,” “selfie,” “vlog,” “mojito,” “chillax,” and “beatbox.”
They were originally handmade
For about two decades co-inventor James Brunot, along with another friend, made all the games he sold by hand in his garage!
Braille version
It's fully accessible for the blind and visually impaired. The playing board also has tactile dots and dashes on the premium word squares.
No language barrier
Scrabble's sold in 121 countries and played in 29 different languages!
We love those letters
Every hour, about 30,000 games of Scrabble are started all over the world!

Why We Love National Scrabble Day

Family fun
You can spend quality time playing this game and it improves your spelling abilities, communication skills, and confidence.
A "smart" choice
You learn words to get better at the game! Soon you'll know words like "za," short for "pizza," and "xi," which is the 14th letter of the Greek alphabet.
Scrabble championships are fun to watch
The pros are impressive! Watch as they effortlessly throw down words like "quixotic." A cool 76 points — including the 50-point bonus for using all seven tiles.