Body Parts ESL: Activities, Games, Vocabulary, Lesson Plans + More

Are you looking for some of the best body parts ESL activities and games? Then you’re most certainly in the right place. We’re going to share with you our top human body activities, along with worksheets, vocabulary, lesson plans and more.

Let’s get into the best body parts activities and games for kids as well as adults. Keep on reading or have a look at this video below for the top ideas:

ESL Body Parts Games and Activities

Are you ready? Let’s get to the fun body part games and activities that you can try out with your students today.

#1: Flyswatter Game

If you want to have some exciting times with your students, then be sure to try out this fun body parts game. The way it works is that you write a bunch of body part vocabulary on the whiteboard. Then, one student from each team comes to the front and you give them a flyswatter.

Give some hints about one of the words on the board (I have 10 of them on my hand) and the first student to slap the correct word (finger) gets the point. Then, the next two students have a chance to play.

You can erase the words and add a different one, or keep the same words on the board throughout the activity. Learn more about it here: Flyswatter ESL Vocabulary Game.

#2: Password Vocabulary Activity

This game makes an ideal way to finish off a class that’s heavy on new vocabulary. The way it works is that students send one student to the front of the class. They face their teammates who must describe a secret word to them, in English without using action. In this, it’d be a body part. They try to get as many words as they can within a certain time.

To try it out for yourself, check out this ESL body parts game right here: Password Vocabulary Review.

#3: Hot Potato

If you want to create a bit of excitement in your classes, try out the Hot Potato Game. The way it works is that students pass around a “potato.” When the timer goes off, the person holding the object has to do something. In this case, it may be saying what body part you touch. Or, making a sentence with a body part from a flashcard. What they have to do depends on the level of the student.

Find out more about this body part game for kids here: ESL Hot Potato Game.

#4: Dialogue Substitution 

Try out this simple reading activity. It takes a standard dialogue from a textbook and makes it more difficult by removing some of the key words, in this case, the body parts.

#5: A to Z Alphabet Game

One of my favourite body part games is this quick warm-up or review activity. It’s ideal to use as a warmer if you know that your students have already covered this topic before because it helps them to activate their prior knowledge in a big way.

The way it works is that you put students into pairs and have them write down the alphabet on a piece of paper (or give students a handout with this already done). Then, they have to think of as many body parts as possible within the allotted time. But, I only allow one word per each letter.

For example:

B=Back

C=Chest

F=Face

Etc.

The winner is the team with the most words at the end of the activity. More information about how to play this game here: Alphabet Game for ESL.

#6 Body Part Activity for Preschoolers: Simon Says

This is a class game for kids that’s perfect for working on body parts. The way it works is that you say, “Simon says to touch your toes.” The students have to do it quickly. But, if you just say, “Touch your toes” and someone does it, they are “out.”

This is one of the best body parts games for preschoolers—they can’t get enough of it! And you may also want to mix in some classroom vocabulary into your game as well.

#7: Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes Song

This is most definitely a classic that shouldn’t be left out of any ESL lesson plan for body parts: The head and shoulders song. Kids love it, but truthfully, I’ve even used it with adults and had lots of fun. If you’re not a great singer (like me), then you’ll want to check out YouTube!

#8: Flip Chart Body Vocabulary Review Game

#9: Concentration Memory Game

If your students are absolute beginners and are learning things like hand, fingers, or eyes for the first time, then consider using concentration. You’ll have to prepare some cards in advance for this one.

On one card have a picture of the object (eyes) and then on the other card, the word written in English (eyes). Around 8 sets works well. Then, the students will place the cards face down in random fashion. The first students turns two cards up and sees if they match. If they do, she keeps the cards and goes again. It not, the next student has a chance. The game continues until all the cards are gone.

Do you want to try it out? Find out all the details about it here: Concentration ESL Vocabulary Game.

#10 Body Parts Activities: 20 Questions

You may want to try out a variation of 20 questions for the unit on body parts. The way it works is that you (or a student) thinks of a secret body part and the students have to ask yes/no questions to discover what it is.

In this case, because the topic is so narrow, you may want to give students only 1o questions. And you may also want to count a guess as a question in order to prevent random guessing.

Some possible questions are as follows:

• Do I have two of them?
• Is it on my face?
• Can I hear with it?
• Is it larger than an apple?

#11: Running Dictation

Check out another fun body parts activity you can use with your students:

#12: Word Association Vocabulary Warm-Up

If you know that your students already know a good number of human body vocabulary words, then you may want to try out this word association activity. The way it works is that you make a mind map of sorts on the whiteboard based on what students tell you.

You could have one cluster related to face vocabulary for example, and then perhaps another cluster for descriptive words. Do you want to try it out? Learn more about it here: ESL Word Association Activity.

#13: Body Parts Spelling Game

A quick and easy way to review spelling of body part words is to do this chain spelling game. The way it works is that everyone stands up and you say a body part word. Going in a circle, students spell out the word letter by letter. If someone misses, they sit down and are “out.” The last person standing is the winner.

#14 Human Body Parts Game: Odd One Out

This is a quick warm-up or review activity that lends itself well to body part vocabulary. The way it works is that you write 4 words in a group. 3 are similar, but 1 is the odd one out. For example:

leg, arm, nose, eye.

There are a number of possible answers, but students may choose nose because there’s only one of them, while the others are two. The key is to get students to tell you why it’s the odd one out.

Find out more about this quick ESL game here: Odd One Out Vocabulary Game.

#15: ESL Body Part Whiteboard Games 

I’m not sure what it is, but students of all ages seem to love writing on the whiteboard. Maybe it’s the novelty factor? But, whatever the case, take advantage of this and use some of these fun ESL whiteboard games with your classes.

They range from relays to error correction to flyswatter games and all of them are fun, engaging and student-centred. Plus, they lend themselves really well to the body parts unit. Check them out here: ESL Whiteboard Activities.

#16: Body Parts Flashcards

In my opinion, flashcards are one of the most under utilized English teaching tools! When I teach young learners, especially beginners, I never go to class without them! The good news is that there are a ton of great activities and games you can do with, especially with body parts.

Check out some of the best ideas right here: ESL Flashcard Activities.

#17: The Memory Circle

If you’re teaching body parts for the first time with your students, try out this fun memory game. The way it works is that the first students says a body part and touches it (ear). The second students touches and says the first one (ear) but then adds their own (nose). The game continues until someone makes a mistake and then they’re out. The game continues until only one person is left.

#18: Body Parts ESL Word Challenge

If you want to work on some spelling of body parts with your students, then consider this whiteboard word challenge game. Not only is it great for spelling but it’s ideal for writing and listening skills as well. The way it works is that you say a word and students have to race to spell it out correctly. Find out more here:

ESL Word Challenge Spelling Game.

#19: More Ideas for Teaching Young Learners

#20: Total Physical Response

In language teaching, there is a methodology known as Total Physical Response (TPR). It involves the whole body and movements and body parts lends itself particularly well to this.

A very simple way is to get students to touch various parts of their body as you say them. For example, “Touch your big right toe with your left pinky finger.” This involves a lot of language and helps ensure that students really understand new vocabulary.

#21: Draw the Body Parts ESL Idiom Activity

There are a ton of body part idioms in the English language. Here are just a few of them:

• Costs an arm and a leg
• Cry your heart out
• I’m all ears
• Break a leg
• Face the music
• Give me a hand

In this activity, students have to draw the idiom literally and then do some follow-up work on what the idiom means and how to use it in a sentence. Find out all the details here:

ESL Idioms.

#22: Typhoon Review Game

A nice way to review just about anything, including parts of the body is with the typhoon game. Find out what it’s all about:

Parts of Body ESL FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about teaching body parts for ESL. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What are some ESL Body Parts Vocabulary?

Here are some of the most common body parts vocab that you may want to teach your students:

• Ankle
• Arms
• Back
• Chest
• Ears
• Elbow
• Eyes
• Face
• Feet/foot
• Fingers
• Hair
• Hands
• Head
• Legs
• Lips
• Mouth
• Neck
• Nose
• Shoulders
• Teeth
• Toes

Need a few ideas to help your students with vocabulary? Check this out:

How to Remember Words.

How Can I teach New English Words to Kids?

How Can I Teach My Body Parts?

There are a number of things you can use to teach about body parts for English learners. Some of the best ones include the following:

• Songs and chants (Head and Shoulders, Hokey Pokey)
• Conversations, role-plays, and dialogues about body parts
• Games and activities (Simon Says)
• Drills and repeat after me
• Videos
• Vocabulary tests
• Flashcards
• Stories
• Craft projects

What are some ESL Games for Teaching the Parts of the Body?

There are a number of ESL games that teachers can use for teaching body parts. Some of the best ones include the following:

• Hot potato
• Alphabet game
• Simon Says
• Memory Circle
• Flashcard Games
• Odd One Out
• 20 Questions

Teaching Body Parts: Lesson Plans

Are you looking for some ready-made lessons that you can use for the human body? Then you’ll want to check out some of our top resources right here:

ESL Kids Stuff

TEFL.net

British Council

ESL Body Parts Work Sheets

If you want to print off some human body parts worksheets for an in-class activity, or homework, here are some of our suggestions. No need to reinvent the wheel, right? That’s why I love to use ESL body parts worksheets that other teachers have already made.

ISL Collective

ESL Tower

Englishwsheets

Online Practice for Parts of the Body

Do you want to give your students a chance to practice this vocabulary set online? Here are some of our favourite games for them to check out:

ESL Games Plus

Agenda Web

ESL Games World

Did you Like these Body Parts Activities? 

Yes? Though so! Then the book you’re going to love is this one, available on Amazon: 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities for Kids. 

The key to better English classes with children is a wide variety of interesting, engaging activities and this book will help you do just that. You’ll be able to get through an entire semester in style, and if that’s not some ESL teaching awesome, then I’m not sure what is.

You can get the book in both digital and print formats. Keep a copy on the bookshelf in your office and use it as a handy reference guide. Or, take the digital version with you to your favourite coffee shop for some lesson planning on the go.

Are you ready to level up your English classes? Your students will love the speaking games and activities in this book, so check it out for yourself over on Amazon:

Teaching Body Parts ESL: Join the Conversation

Do you have any thoughts about these human body parts games and activities for ESL? Do you have another activity that you like to use with your students? Leave a comment below and let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other busy English teachers, like yourself find this useful teaching resource.

Last update on 2022-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API