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in Activities for Adults· Activities for Kids

Fun Games to Play with High School Students at School

If you’re looking for some of the best games to play with high school students, you’re in the right place. We have lots of fun school games for high-schoolers. Keep on reading for all the details you need to know to have some fun in class!

fun games for high school students

Games for high school students

Games for High School Students

Let’s get into the best classroom games for high school.

#1: Who or What Am I?

You’ve probably played this game before. Write down some famous people, animals, things, etc. on post-it notes. Then, secretly put one on each person’s back. The students have to circulate around the classroom, asking yes/no questions to their classmates to try to figure out who or what they are.

#2: Thumbs Up Game for Highschool Students

Choose three students to be the “walkers.” Everyone else puts their heads down with their thumbs up. The walkers have to go around the class, secretly choosing three people, and pushing their thumbs down.

Once that’s done, everyone can open their eyes. The 3 people who got chosen can guess which walker selected them. If they’re correct, they get to become a walker.

#3: Typhoon

#4: 20 Question

20 questions is a classic game, and it’s ideal for high school classrooms. There are a few different variations you can do, depending on the age and English ability of your students. Find out more here:

20 Questions Game.

#5: Pictionary for High School Classroom

This is a nice party game activity. Write down words or phrases on slips of paper. Then, divide the class into two teams. Someone from the first team has to come up to the front and tries to draw as many words or phrases as they can in two minutes, while their team guesses.

Switch teams, and play a few rounds. The winning team is the one with the most points.

#6: Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples is one of my favorite games for highschool students. It’s easy enough to make your own set of cards, or you can buy the game easily online. Find out more about it here:

Apples to Apples.

#7: Password

#8: Never Have I Ever

Sure, it’s a drinking game, but you can also use it with high school students. Find out more details here:

Never Have I Ever Game.

#9: I’m Going on a Picnic

This is a simple word game that works well for all ages, including high school. Find out more about it here:

I’m Going on a Picnic.

#10: Dance of the Ostriches

#11: Charades for High School Students

Charades is very similar to Pictionary (mentioned above), except that students have to act things out. Active things work well (brushing teeth, coming late to school, going to sleep, etc.).

#12: Memory Circle for High School Age Students

Try out this simple memory game for some fun with your high school classes. It’s challenging, interactive and a serious test of skill. Try it out:

Memory Circle.

#13: Vocabulary Quizzes

#14: Vocabulary Auction

Try out this fun, but challenging vocabulary game where students have to build sentences. It does take a good amount of preparation, but it’s totally worth it. Students love this activity. Find out more:

Vocabulary Auction.

#15: Would You Rather Questions for High School Students

500+ Would You Rather Questions for Teens: Questions about Sports, Food, The Human Body, Gross...
500+ Would You Rather Questions for Teens: Questions about Sports, Food, The Human Body, Gross...
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 81 Pages - 12/19/2022 (Publication Date)
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#16: Tongue Twisters

Who doesn’t like tongue twisters? They’re challenging, fun, and a nice option if you want to have a bit of a competition. Check them out here:

Tongue Twisters.

#17: Name that Tune Game to Play with High School Students

Play a few bars or notes of a song and then students have to guess the song. They can get a bonus point for naming the artist as well.

#18: This or That Food Questions

Everyone loves talking about food! Try out some of these would you rather style questions:

This or That Food Questions.

#19: Trivia

Odd and Intriguing Facts for Adults: Ace Trivia Night like a Boss (Entertaining Books for Adults)
Odd and Intriguing Facts for Adults: Ace Trivia Night like a Boss (Entertaining Books for Adults)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 96 Pages - 04/13/2023 (Publication Date)
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#20: Two Truths and a Lie

This is one of my favorite icebreaker activities. Everyone writes down 3 sentences about themselves, 2 are true, and one is false.

One-by-one, students come to the class and read their 3 sentences. The other students get some time to grill the person to try to uncover the lie. In the end, they can vote on which thing isn’t true. Keep track of who gets the guesses correct, and you’ll know who is the best “detective” in your class.

games for highschool students

Fun games for highschool students

Games for High School Students: Join the Conversation

Do you have any tips or tricks for teaching high school students? Any fun games for high school students that you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment and let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

 

Last update on 2022-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 60 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

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