Fun Classroom Games: Best Class Games to Play with Students

If you’re looking to create some fun and excitement in your classes, then consider some of these fun classroom games. They’re the best class games to play with students. Keep on reading to find out all the details you need to know about these fun games to play in class when bored.

Fun Classroom Games to Try Out

Let’s get into the best education classroom games to try out with your students! Keep on reading for the best games to play in school to consider if you want to have some with students of all ages.

#1: Concentration Memory Game

Concentration is one of my favourite classroom games for kids, teens, and adults. It’s a challenging memory game that can be used to review just about anything. It’s one of my favourite guessing games!

Students have to find matching pairs before their classmates do. Learn more about it:

Concentration Memory Game.

#2: Mystery Box Classroom Game

Try out this fun game for children! Put some items into a box and then cover the lid so that just a small hand can fit through. Then, students have to feel things inside the box to be able to identify what the objects are just by touch.

Try it out for Halloween too, for a spooky experience! Find out more details about it here:

Mystery Box Game.

#3: Name 5 Things Vocabulary Quiz

#4: A to Z Game

This is one of the best games to play in school! Students of all ages really enjoy it.

Try out this simple activity to help students use their creative powers! It’s possible to adapt this to any topic that you’re teaching that day. Students have to work together to think of a word for each letter that fits into a certain topic. Check it out:

A to Z Game.

#5: Flyswatter Game

This is a fun game that can be used to review any sort of grammar or vocabulary in an exciting way. Write down a bunch of words on the board and then give hints about one of them. The two students at the board race to slap the correct word with their flyswatters.

There are a bunch of different options, depending on the age and level of the students. Find out more about them here:

Flyswatter Game.

It’s certainly one of the most fun games to play in class when bored so be sure to give it a try.

#6: Running Dictation

#7: Odd One Out

This is a quick game that can be used to review vocabulary or focus on logic. Write down 4-5 words, in groups. One of the words should be different from the others. Here’s a simple example:

apple, cucumber, banana, watermelon

The obvious answer is cucumber because it’s a vegetable, not a fruit. However, I allow any answer as long as students are able to support their decision. Try it out for yourself:

Odd One Out Game.

#8: Error Correction Relay Race

Try out this fun game that has a ton of educational value. It takes something kind of boring (error correction) and makes it new again by turning it into a relay race. It’s ideal for English classes or for second language ones. Check out this article for more details:

Error Correction Relay Race.

#9: Get to Know you Bingo

I love a good Bingo game! However, it’s not the most educational game when you simply call out words and students have to cross them off their Bingo card. This is a game with a twist, where students have to talk to their classmates to find people who can answer yes to certain things, such as having a dog or living in a certain neighbourhood.

Find out how to do it here:

Get to Know You Bingo Game.

#10: Dialogue Substitution

#11: Password Game to Play in School

Try out this fun game to play in the classroom. Students have to describe secret words to a classmate who has to guess what the word is. It’s a nice way to review things from science or social studies classes. Find out more:

Password Game for Students.

#12: Charades and Pictionary Classroom Games

These are classic class games that most students really enjoy. I’m sure you’ve played both of them before.

Charades is where you have to act out a certain word or phrase in order to get your teammates to guess what it is. Pictionary is similar except that you have to draw instead of acting it out.

Have some fun with your students by trying out Charades or Pictionary. They are some of the most fun class games!

#13: Board Games

#14: Who Am I/What Am I?

This is a classic party game that can easily be adapted for the classroom. Each student gets a secret thing or person taped to their back. Then, they have to ask other students yes or no questions to try to find out who or what it is. Learn more about it here:

Who Am I Game.

#15: Information Gap/Jigsaw Activities

#16: Word Challenge Spelling Game

Try out this fun whiteboard class game with your students if you want to focus on spelling. It’s interactive, engaging and students love the novelty of working together to make words on the board. Learn how to do it here:

Word Challenge Spelling Game.

#17: Even More Ideas for Fun Classroom Games

#18: Ball Toss Game

Try out this fun icebreaker game that students love. They have to toss a beach ball around the class, answering questions (or thinking of questions) as they go. It’s fun, interactive and students love the novelty of having a beach ball in the classroom! Try it out for yourself:

Beach Ball Toss.

#19: Fun Things to do on the First Day of Class

#20: Casino

Give each group of students a certain amount of money. Then, write a sentence on the board with one or more errors in it. Students have to identify the error and bet a certain amount of money, depending on how confident they are on their answers.

Groups who are correct get that same amount of money back, while incorrect groups lose their bet. Continue until a group has a certain amount of money or everyone but one team has nothing left!

#21: Taboo

This is a fun party game that you may have played before. It’s also easy to adapt to a classroom game. Students have to describe a certain word but can’t use a set of related words.

It’s possible to use the actual game itself or to make your own version of it. Which option you choose depends on the age and level of the students.

#22: Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt where students have to find specific items or information related to the topic you’re teaching. You can hide clues around the classroom or school and let them work individually or in teams to solve the puzzle.

#23: Hot Potato

#24: Apples to Apples

This is another fun game that’s ideal for helping students work on critical thinking skills. Students have to make associations between things and then say whey they think it’s a match.

It’s possible to buy the game online or in stores or to make your own. You could even get students to help you make the cards.

#25: Kahoot!

Kahoot is an interactive online quiz platform where you can create your own quizzes or use pre-made ones. Students compete against each other in real-time, answering multiple-choice questions using their devices.

#26: 20 Questions Fun Classroom Game

I love to play this simple teaching game with my students. It’s ideal for working on critical thinking, in that students have to ask broad, general questions first before getting into the specifics.

If you want to focus more narrowly on something like jobs or animals, reduce the number of questions or it will be too easy.

#27: Jeopardy

Create a Jeopardy-style game board with different categories and point values. Divide the class into teams and let them compete by answering questions related to the subject you are teaching.

#28: Vocabulary Auction

#29: Dictionary

Each group is given a word and a definition. Then, they have to come up with two more definitions, with the goal to fool their classmates into choosing one of the fake ones.

They read out all 3 definitions, then the other groups vote on which one they think is correct.

#30: Line Up Game

A fun game for kids is this one that requires lining up, according to a certain criterion. Find out more about it here:

Line Up Game.

#31: Don’t Forget about Warmers!

#32: Spelling Bee

Conduct a spelling bee competition where students take turns spelling words related to the subject you’re teaching. You can start with easy words and increase the difficulty as the game progresses.

FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about using games in the classroom. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

How can I conduct a spelling bee in the classroom?

Start with easy words and have students take turns spelling them out loud. Increase the difficulty as the game progresses.

What is a scavenger hunt?

A scavenger hunt is a game where students have to find specific items or information related to the subject by solving clues or searching the classroom or school.

How does Word Association work?

In Word Association, students take turns coming up with words associated with a starting word or concept related to the subject.

What is the purpose of classroom games?

Classroom games help engage students, make learning enjoyable, reinforce concepts, promote teamwork, and enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Can I adapt classroom games for different age groups?

Yes, you can adapt classroom games to suit the age and learning level of your students by adjusting the complexity of questions, clues, or tasks.

What are some Tips for Using Games in the Classroom?

Using games in the classroom can make learning more enjoyable, engaging, and effective. Here are some tips for incorporating games into your teaching:

Align games with learning objectives

Ensure that the games you choose align with the learning goals and content of your lesson. The games should provide opportunities for students to practice and apply what they have learned.

Consider student interests and abilities

Select games that are age-appropriate and appealing to your students. Consider their interests, preferences, and proficiency levels to ensure maximum engagement and participation.

Provide clear instructions for Classroom Games

Before starting a game, clearly explain the rules, objectives, and any specific vocabulary or concepts related to the game. Make sure students understand how to play and what is expected of them.

Incorporate cooperative and competitive elements

Include both cooperative games that promote teamwork and collaborative problem-solving, as well as competitive games that foster healthy competition and motivation. This variety caters to different learning styles and preferences.

Adapt classroom games to target language skills

Modify games to focus on specific language skills, such as vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, or reading. Tailor the game mechanics or instructions to suit the language learning objectives you want to address.

Allow for meaningful interaction during games in the classroom

Design games that require students to communicate and interact with one another. Encourage discussions, negotiations, and the use of target language during gameplay. This helps develop communication skills and promotes language practice.

Provide opportunities for reflection and debriefing

After playing a game, allocate time for students to reflect on their experience. Discuss the strategies used, challenges faced, and lessons learned. This reflection helps reinforce learning and promotes metacognition.

Use games as a formative assessment tool

Games can serve as an informal assessment method to gauge student understanding and progress. Observe students during gameplay, listen to their conversations, and note their performance to inform your instructional decisions.

Balance game time with academic content

While games can be highly engaging, ensure they are integrated strategically into the lesson plan. Strike a balance between game time and other instructional activities, ensuring that the games enhance learning and support curriculum objectives.

Emphasize the learning outcomes

Throughout the game, highlight the connection between the game and the targeted learning outcomes. Discuss how the skills or knowledge practiced in the game relate to real-life situations or academic contexts.

Did you like these Classroom Games?

Yes? Thought so. Then you’re going to love this book: 101 ESL Activities for Kids. The key to better classes with children is a wide variety of engaging and interactive activities and games and this book will help you get there in style.

You can find the book in both digital and print formats. Pick up a copy to keep on the bookshelf in your office to use as a handy reference guide. Or, take the e-version with you to your favourite coffee shop for some lesson planning on the go. Either way, get ready for some ESL teaching awesome in your life with these games for the classroom.

Pick up your copy on Amazon today:

Fun Class Games: Join the Conversation

What do you think about these student games? Are they your favourites, or do you have another school teaching game that you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

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