diff --git a/frontend/src/App.css b/frontend/src/App.css
index aa93ad6..f5b0842 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.css
+++ b/frontend/src/App.css
@@ -1,17 +1,27 @@
 :root {
-  --color-bg: #f6f8fb;
+  /* Playful, gender-neutral color palette */
+  --color-bg: #f0f4ff;
   --color-surface: #ffffff;
-  --color-surface-alt: #f0f4ff;
-  --color-surface-muted: #e9f2ff;
-  --color-primary: #2f80ed;
-  --color-primary-dark: #1f5fb7;
-  --color-secondary: #3ab5a8;
-  --color-secondary-dark: #2d8c82;
-  --color-accent: #f4c95d;
-  --color-muted: #5a6473;
-  --color-text: #1f2a37;
-  --color-border: #d4deef;
-  --color-shadow: rgba(35, 74, 134, 0.16);
+  --color-surface-alt: #fff8e1;
+  --color-surface-muted: #e8f5e9;
+  --color-primary: #7c3aed;
+  --color-primary-dark: #6d28d9;
+  --color-secondary: #f59e0b;
+  --color-secondary-dark: #d97706;
+  --color-accent: #10b981;
+  --color-accent-alt: #ef4444;
+  --color-muted: #6b7280;
+  --color-text: #1f2937;
+  --color-border: #e5e7eb;
+  --color-shadow: rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.15);
+  
+  /* Subtle gradients for text effects only */
+  --gradient-primary-text: linear-gradient(135deg, #7c3aed 0%, #a855f7 100%);
+  --gradient-secondary-text: linear-gradient(135deg, #f59e0b 0%, #fbbf24 100%);
+  
+  /* Playful fonts */
+  --font-playful: 'Comic Sans MS', 'Chalkboard SE', 'Comic Neue', 'Nunito', sans-serif;
+  --font-body: 'Nunito', 'Roboto', sans-serif;
 }
 
 * {
@@ -21,10 +31,10 @@
 }
 
 body {
-  font-family: 'Roboto', 'Arial', sans-serif;
+  font-family: var(--font-body);
   -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
   -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
-  background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--color-bg), #e7edf7);
+  background: var(--color-bg);
   color: var(--color-text);
 }
 
@@ -63,7 +73,7 @@ body {
 
 .error-container button {
   padding: 10px 20px;
-  background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--color-primary), var(--color-secondary));
+  background: var(--color-primary);
   color: white;
   border: none;
   border-radius: 999px;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Navbar/Navbar.css b/frontend/src/components/Navbar/Navbar.css
index dce5071..b9c245f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Navbar/Navbar.css
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Navbar/Navbar.css
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .navbar {
-  background: linear-gradient(120deg, var(--color-surface), var(--color-surface-alt));
+  background: var(--color-surface);
   border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border);
   position: sticky;
   top: 0;
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
 }
 
 .navbar-button {
-  background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--color-primary), var(--color-secondary));
+  background: var(--color-primary);
   color: white;
   border: none;
   padding: 10px 20px;
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@
 
 .navbar-search-button {
   padding: 10px 18px;
-  background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--color-primary), var(--color-secondary));
+  background: var(--color-primary);
   border: none;
   border-radius: 999px;
   cursor: pointer;
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/WordGroupManager/WordGroupManager.css b/frontend/src/components/WordGroupManager/WordGroupManager.css
index accef53..af5706f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/WordGroupManager/WordGroupManager.css
+++ b/frontend/src/components/WordGroupManager/WordGroupManager.css
@@ -249,6 +249,7 @@
 .practice-area {
   .word-text {
     font-size: 48px;
+    text-transform: none;
   }
 }
 .word-text {
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.css b/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.css
index 92173bb..96a9a84 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.css
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.css
@@ -14,11 +14,19 @@
 .menu-header h1 {
   font-size: 2.5rem;
   margin: 12px 0;
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
+  font-weight: 800;
+  background: var(--gradient-primary-text);
+  -webkit-background-clip: text;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
+  background-clip: text;
 }
 
 .menu-header p {
   color: var(--color-muted);
   margin: 0;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  font-size: 1.1rem;
 }
 
 .eyebrow {
@@ -36,13 +44,20 @@
 
 .app-card {
   border-radius: 24px;
-  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
-  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
-  padding: 24px;
-  box-shadow: 0 20px 45px rgba(31, 59, 115, 0.12);
+  background: var(--color-surface);
+  border: 3px solid var(--color-primary);
+  padding: 28px;
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 24px var(--color-shadow);
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   gap: 12px;
+  transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
+}
+
+.app-card:hover:not(.disabled) {
+  transform: translateY(-6px) scale(1.02);
+  box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.25);
+  border-color: var(--color-secondary);
 }
 
 .app-card header {
@@ -54,7 +69,13 @@
 
 .app-card h2 {
   margin: 0;
-  font-size: 1.4rem;
+  font-size: 1.5rem;
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
+  font-weight: 800;
+  background: var(--gradient-primary-text);
+  -webkit-background-clip: text;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
+  background-clip: text;
 }
 
 .app-card p {
@@ -80,20 +101,23 @@
   display: inline-flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
-  padding: 10px 18px;
-  border-radius: 999px;
-  font-weight: 600;
+  padding: 12px 24px;
+  border-radius: 25px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
   text-decoration: none;
-  border: none;
-  background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--color-primary), var(--color-secondary));
+  border: 3px solid var(--color-primary);
+  background: var(--color-primary);
   color: white;
-  box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(31, 59, 115, 0.2);
-  transition: transform 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px var(--color-shadow);
+  transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
 }
 
 .app-actions a:hover,
-.app-actions button:hover {
-  transform: translateY(-2px);
+.app-actions button:hover:not(:disabled) {
+  transform: translateY(-4px) scale(1.05);
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 20px rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.4);
+  border-color: var(--color-secondary);
 }
 
 .app-card.disabled {
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/SpeechSoundsApp.css b/frontend/src/pages/SpeechSoundsApp.css
index e0cdca2..6930748 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/SpeechSoundsApp.css
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/SpeechSoundsApp.css
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 .speech-sounds-app {
   min-height: calc(100vh - 60px);
-  background-color: #f9f9f9;
+  background: var(--color-bg);
   padding: 24px;
-  max-width: 800px;
+  max-width: 900px;
   margin: 0 auto;
 }
 
@@ -12,32 +12,44 @@
 }
 
 .app-header h1 {
-  margin: 0 0 8px 0;
-  font-size: 32px;
-  font-weight: 500;
-  color: #030303;
+  margin: 0 0 12px 0;
+  font-size: 42px;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  background: var(--gradient-primary-text);
+  -webkit-background-clip: text;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
+  background-clip: text;
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
 }
 
 .app-header p {
   margin: 0;
-  font-size: 16px;
-  color: #606060;
+  font-size: 18px;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  font-weight: 600;
+  opacity: 0.8;
 }
 
 .back-to-groups-button {
   margin-bottom: 16px;
-  padding: 8px 16px;
-  background: transparent;
-  border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;
-  border-radius: 6px;
-  color: #030303;
-  font-size: 14px;
+  padding: 12px 24px;
+  background: var(--color-surface);
+  border: 3px solid var(--color-primary);
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  color: var(--color-primary);
+  font-size: 16px;
+  font-weight: 700;
   cursor: pointer;
-  transition: background-color 0.2s;
+  transition: all 0.3s;
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 8px var(--color-shadow);
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
 }
 
 .back-to-groups-button:hover {
-  background-color: #f5f5f5;
+  background: var(--color-primary);
+  color: white;
+  transform: translateY(-2px);
+  box-shadow: 0 6px 12px rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.3);
 }
 
 .groups-grid {
@@ -48,85 +60,138 @@
 }
 
 .group-card {
-  background: white;
-  border: 2px solid #e5e5e5;
-  border-radius: 12px;
+  background: var(--color-surface);
+  border: 4px solid var(--color-primary);
+  border-radius: 24px;
   padding: 32px 24px;
   text-align: center;
   cursor: pointer;
-  transition: all 0.2s;
+  transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
   text-decoration: none;
-  color: #030303;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 16px var(--color-shadow);
+  position: relative;
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.group-card::before {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute;
+  top: -50%;
+  left: -50%;
+  width: 200%;
+  height: 200%;
+  background: radial-gradient(
+    circle,
+    rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.1) 0%,
+    transparent 70%
+  );
+  opacity: 0;
+  transition: opacity 0.3s;
 }
 
 .group-card:hover {
-  border-color: #065fd4;
-  transform: translateY(-4px);
-  box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+  transform: translateY(-8px) scale(1.05);
+  box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.3);
+  border-color: var(--color-secondary);
+}
+
+.group-card:hover::before {
+  opacity: 1;
 }
 
 .group-card-name {
   margin: 0 0 8px 0;
-  font-size: 24px;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  color: #030303;
+  font-size: 28px;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  background: var(--gradient-primary-text);
+  -webkit-background-clip: text;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
+  background-clip: text;
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 1;
 }
 
 .group-card-count {
   margin: 0;
-  font-size: 16px;
-  color: #606060;
+  font-size: 18px;
+  color: var(--color-muted);
+  font-weight: 700;
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 1;
 }
 
 .practice-area {
-  background: white;
-  border-radius: 12px;
-  padding: 32px;
-  box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+  background: var(--color-surface);
+  border-radius: 32px;
+  padding: 40px;
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 32px var(--color-shadow);
+  border: 4px solid var(--color-primary);
 }
 
 .word-display {
   text-align: center;
-  margin-bottom: 32px;
+  margin-bottom: 40px;
 }
 
 .word-text {
-  font-size: 64px;
-  font-weight: 700;
-  color: #030303;
-  margin: 0 0 16px 0;
-  letter-spacing: 2px;
-  text-transform: uppercase;
+  font-size: 72px;
+  font-weight: 900;
+  background: var(--gradient-primary-text);
+  -webkit-background-clip: text;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
+  background-clip: text;
+  margin: 0 0 20px 0;
+  letter-spacing: 4px;
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
+  animation: wordBounce 0.5s ease-out;
+}
+
+@keyframes wordBounce {
+  0%,
+  100% {
+    transform: scale(1);
+  }
+  50% {
+    transform: scale(1.1);
+  }
 }
 
 .practice-stats {
   display: flex;
   justify-content: center;
-  gap: 24px;
-  margin-top: 16px;
+  gap: 20px;
+  margin-top: 20px;
   flex-wrap: wrap;
 }
 
 .stat-item {
-  font-size: 16px;
-  font-weight: 500;
-  padding: 8px 16px;
-  border-radius: 20px;
-  background: #f5f5f5;
+  font-size: 18px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  padding: 12px 20px;
+  border-radius: 25px;
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 8px var(--color-shadow);
+  border: 3px solid;
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
 }
 
 .stat-pass {
-  color: #166534;
-  background: #f0fdf4;
+  background: var(--color-accent);
+  border-color: var(--color-accent);
+  color: white;
 }
 
 .stat-fail {
-  color: #991b1b;
-  background: #fef2f2;
+  background: var(--color-accent-alt);
+  border-color: var(--color-accent-alt);
+  color: white;
 }
 
 .stat-total {
-  color: #030303;
+  background: var(--color-secondary);
+  border-color: var(--color-secondary);
+  color: white;
 }
 
 .practice-container {
@@ -135,17 +200,17 @@
 
 .practice-label {
   text-align: center;
-  font-size: 16px;
-  font-weight: 500;
-  color: #030303;
-  margin-bottom: 20px;
+  font-size: 20px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  margin-bottom: 24px;
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
 }
 
 .practice-grid {
   display: grid;
   grid-template-columns: repeat(5, 1fr);
   gap: 16px;
-  max-width: 645px;
   margin: 0 auto;
 }
 
@@ -154,75 +219,96 @@
   flex-direction: column;
   align-items: center;
   gap: 12px;
-  padding: 16px;
-  border: 2px solid #e5e5e5;
-  border-radius: 8px;
-  background: white;
+  padding: 20px 16px;
+  border: 3px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  background: var(--color-surface);
+  transition: all 0.3s;
+}
+
+.practice-item:hover {
+  transform: translateY(-4px);
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 16px var(--color-shadow);
+  border-color: var(--color-primary);
 }
 
 .practice-number {
-  font-size: 14px;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  color: #606060;
-  width: 32px;
-  height: 32px;
+  font-size: 16px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  color: white;
+  width: 40px;
+  height: 40px;
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
   border-radius: 50%;
-  background: #f5f5f5;
+  background: var(--color-primary);
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 8px var(--color-shadow);
 }
 
 .practice-buttons {
   display: flex;
-  gap: 8px;
+  gap: 10px;
 }
 
 .practice-button {
-  width: 36px;
-  height: 36px;
-  border: 2px solid #e5e5e5;
-  border-radius: 6px;
+  width: 44px;
+  height: 44px;
+  border: 3px solid;
+  border-radius: 12px;
   background: white;
-  font-size: 20px;
+  font-size: 24px;
   font-weight: bold;
   cursor: pointer;
-  transition: all 0.2s;
+  transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: center;
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+}
+
+.practice-button:hover {
+  transform: scale(1.15);
 }
 
 .pass-button {
-  color: #166534;
-  border-color: #86efac;
+  color: #065f46;
+  border-color: #10b981;
 }
 
 .pass-button:hover {
-  background: #f0fdf4;
-  border-color: #4ade80;
+  background: var(--color-accent);
+  border-color: var(--color-accent);
+  color: white;
+  box-shadow: 0 6px 12px rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.3);
 }
 
 .pass-button.active {
-  background: #22c55e;
+  background: var(--color-accent);
   color: white;
-  border-color: #22c55e;
+  border-color: var(--color-accent);
+  transform: scale(1.1);
+  box-shadow: 0 6px 16px rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.4);
 }
 
 .fail-button {
   color: #991b1b;
-  border-color: #fecaca;
+  border-color: #ef4444;
 }
 
 .fail-button:hover {
-  background: #fef2f2;
-  border-color: #f87171;
+  background: var(--color-accent-alt);
+  border-color: var(--color-accent-alt);
+  color: white;
+  box-shadow: 0 6px 12px rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.3);
 }
 
 .fail-button.active {
-  background: #dc2626;
+  background: var(--color-accent-alt);
   color: white;
-  border-color: #dc2626;
+  border-color: var(--color-accent-alt);
+  transform: scale(1.1);
+  box-shadow: 0 6px 16px rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.4);
 }
 
 .word-navigation {
@@ -231,34 +317,45 @@
   align-items: center;
   margin-bottom: 24px;
   padding-top: 24px;
-  border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5;
+  border-top: 3px dashed #e0e0e0;
 }
 
 .nav-button {
-  padding: 12px 24px;
-  background: #065fd4;
+  padding: 16px 32px;
+  background: var(--color-primary);
   color: white;
-  border: none;
-  border-radius: 8px;
-  font-size: 16px;
-  font-weight: 500;
+  border: 3px solid var(--color-primary);
+  border-radius: 25px;
+  font-size: 18px;
+  font-weight: 700;
   cursor: pointer;
-  transition: background-color 0.2s;
+  transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px var(--color-shadow);
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
 }
 
 .nav-button:hover:not(:disabled) {
-  background: #0556c4;
+  transform: translateY(-4px) scale(1.05);
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 20px rgba(124, 58, 237, 0.4);
+  border-color: var(--color-secondary);
 }
 
 .nav-button:disabled {
-  opacity: 0.5;
+  opacity: 0.4;
   cursor: not-allowed;
+  transform: none;
 }
 
 .word-counter {
-  font-size: 16px;
-  color: #606060;
-  font-weight: 500;
+  font-size: 20px;
+  color: white;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
+  padding: 12px 24px;
+  background: var(--color-secondary);
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  border: 3px solid var(--color-secondary);
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(245, 158, 11, 0.3);
 }
 
 .word-actions {
@@ -266,20 +363,24 @@
 }
 
 .reset-button {
-  padding: 10px 20px;
-  background: transparent;
-  color: #d00;
-  border: 1px solid #d00;
-  border-radius: 8px;
-  font-size: 14px;
-  font-weight: 500;
+  padding: 12px 24px;
+  background: var(--color-surface);
+  color: var(--color-accent-alt);
+  border: 3px solid var(--color-accent-alt);
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  font-size: 16px;
+  font-weight: 700;
   cursor: pointer;
-  transition: all 0.2s;
+  transition: all 0.3s;
+  box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.2);
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
 }
 
 .reset-button:hover {
-  background: #d00;
+  background: var(--color-accent-alt);
   color: white;
+  transform: translateY(-2px);
+  box-shadow: 0 6px 12px rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.3);
 }
 
 .loading-state,
@@ -287,20 +388,30 @@
 .empty-state {
   text-align: center;
   padding: 48px 24px;
-  background: white;
-  border-radius: 12px;
+  background: var(--color-surface);
+  border-radius: 24px;
   margin-top: 32px;
+  border: 4px solid var(--color-primary);
+  box-shadow: 0 8px 16px var(--color-shadow);
 }
 
 .empty-state h2 {
-  margin: 0 0 8px 0;
-  font-size: 24px;
-  color: #030303;
+  margin: 0 0 12px 0;
+  font-size: 32px;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  font-family: var(--font-playful);
+  font-weight: 800;
+  background: var(--gradient-primary-text);
+  -webkit-background-clip: text;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
+  background-clip: text;
 }
 
 .empty-state p {
   margin: 0;
-  color: #606060;
+  color: var(--color-muted);
+  font-size: 18px;
+  font-weight: 600;
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 768px) {