If you need a fast, low-prep game you can play with your whole class, you're in the right place! These 30+ quick games to play in the classroom are fast, easy, and so much fun!
30 Quick Games to Play in the Classroom
The best classroom games require little set-up or equipment and are a great way to test your students' knowledge or help them bond as a community.
They're great for quick brain breaks when everyone needs to let off some steam.
1. This or That
This is one of the simplest games, but kids absolutely love it! Announce two categories or opinions. Students will go to one side or the other, depending on their preference. Such a good conversation starter!
2. Four Corners
Like This or That, you'll assign each of the four corners in your classroom an answer. After you read off the prompt or question, students must run to a corner to make a choice.
This could be the best season, favourite snacks, the best classes, etc. It's quick and the best way to get some energy out while learning!
3. Copy Cats
The whole class stands in a large circle. As one student waits out of sight, another student silently leads the class to move in a certain way (clapping, stomping, swaying, etc.).
The student waiting out of sight returns to figure out who the leader is. As the leader changes the movement, the rest of the class must follow along discretely without giving them away.
This is a great, quiet game that really helps younger children become aware of body language and get the wiggles out!
4. Connect Four
I love using this popular game to practise identifying CVC words, long vowels and other literacy skills! Students can play alone or with a partner to see who can get four words in a row. Check out all our Connect 4 phonics games here.
You could also play the interactive Four in a Roll game which freely available in our free online phonics tool, Wordabase. You can create your own interactive phonics game for any phoneme! Have a play today!
Want to play with other skills? You can unlock even more Four in a Roll goodness via The Hive. For example, play with self-checking mathematics expressions or create your own questions!
Check it out with a 14 day free trial.
5. Simon Says
Kids still love this classic game, and it's quick! Whether you're stuck in a long line or need to kill 5 minutes, pull out this old stand-by.
6. Jeopardy
Although this one may take a little more prep on your part, you can easily create your own Jeopardy game and come back to it again and again. It's great for a quick review game before a big test or to rehearse classroom norms and expectations.
You could play with the students against the teacher instead of dividing the students into teams, especially if you're still working on building positive student relationships.
7. Pictionary
Although the actual game has rules and guidelines, keep it simple. Have one student draw a picture, then have the rest of the class guess what it is. I prefer to do this within a category like food or animals to make it easier. Whoever gets it right first becomes the new artist. This one is great on Zoom if you ever do remote learning!
The Hive's Buzzboard (our digital whiteboard tool) is the perfect tool for playing Pictionary!
8. Bingo
Bingo is an oldie but a goodie - such a fun classroom activity! You can play endless varieties of Bingo, and I love incorporating phonics or maths skills whenever possible! Depending on the age of your students, you can go for four corners, blackout, and more variations. Here are just a couple of ways that I use Bingo in the classroom:
Helping kindergarten students practise their phonological awareness skills in this fun game!
Or this two-digit number bingo game is great for small groups in the older grades, too.
Want to generate your own bingo boards? You can generate them for any phonics skill for free in Wordabase.
9. Charades
Charades is always such a riot, especially in primary grades! Have a bowl of ideas to choose from to keep the game moving quickly.
The first kid to get the correct answer gets to go next, and you can play just one round or stretch it out during indoor recess days!
10. Two Truths and Lie
This classic ice-breaker can be a fun way to fill a gap in your lesson plans! Invite a few students to share two truths and lie, and try to figure out which is which.
11. Heads Up Seven Up
There's a good chance you grew up with this fun game! Seven students will try to secretly choose seven students, who will try to guess who selected them and take their place.
Heads Up Seven Up is fast enough for a quick brain break but also makes a great game to play once your kids get all their brownie points!
12. Would You Rather
This is a great game to learn more about your students! Ask silly questions for fun, like "Would you rather lick a slug or eat a raw egg?" You can also use it to dip into deeper conversations and ask questions, like "Would you rather be five years younger or ten years older?"
Find it hard to think of 'would you rather' questions? We've got you covered in The Hive, with our daily sharing questions, discussion prompts, affirmations and 'would you rather?' questions!
Post a Comment