Games to Play in Class: Fun Ideas for the Classroom

If you’re looking for some of the best games to play in class, then you’re certainly in the right place. We have fun classroom games for you to consider so keep on reading for a more lively classroom!

Fun Games to Play in Class

Let’s get to the best games to play in class, including some for children, some for adults and everyone in between!

#1: SOS Game

You may have played SOS as a kid with your friends. You try to get as many lines as possible by forming S-O-S. I’ve made it into a classroom game with a twist. Students have to answer a question before getting to mark the grid. This makes it a nice review game. Have a look at that adaptation:

SOS Game.

#2: Vocabulary Auction, One of the Best Class Games to Play

This is a nice classroom game to consider using with students of almost any age. It does take a bit of preparation time but it’s one of the best games to play in class which makes it totally worth it!

Students have to bid on words that they will then use to make complete sentences. There’s also a trading component built-in where students can negotiate with other teams. Have a look here at how to do it:

Vocabulary Auction Game.

#3: Hot Potato

This is a fun game for kids that I’ve adapted for use in the classroom. Students have to pass around a potato (or another object) and then when the timer stops, they have to do a task of some kind. For example, answer a question.

If you want to create some fun and excitement in your classroom, this is certainly your game! Find out more:

Hot Potato Game.

#4: Running Dictation

#5: Memory Circle Game

This is a challenging game to play in class that tests students’ memory skills. It’s a versatile activity that can also be used to focus on just about any vocabulary set or grammatical point. Learn more about how to use it in your classroom here:

ESL Memory Circle Game.

#6: 20 Questions

This is a classic game that I’m sure you played before. You have to select a person, place or thing and then students have up to 20 questions to try to deduce what it is. It’s a nice way for students to work on critical thinking skills in that they have to start with broad, general questions and get into more specific ones as the game goes on.

It’s also possible to limit the game to certain categories such as jobs, foods, or animals but also allow a lower number of questions. Learn more about this fun game to play in class here:

20 Questions.

#7: Pictionary Games to Play in Class

I’m sure you’ve played this fun game yourself before. You have to draw words or phrases and then your teammates guess what it is. It’s a nice classroom game to review new vocabulary so be sure to give it a try with your students.

#8: Who Am I?

This is a fun game to play in class. It’s a party game that you may have played before.

Students get a person (or thing) written on a piece of paper and taped to their backs. Then, they have to circulate around the class, asking yes/no questions to try to figure out who the person is. Learn more about it here:

Who Am I?

#9: Taboo Game to Play in Class

Taboo is a classic game that you’ve probably played before. You have to describe a certain word but can’t use a set of related words. It’s possible to use the actual game that you can buy online or in local stores, or make your own version. Find out more about it:

Taboo Game.

#10: Fun Classroom Games

#11: Chain Spelling Game

If you want to focus on spelling, this is your classroom game! It’s challenging, interactive and a nice way to have some fun in the classroom. Check it out. It’s one of the best games to play during class:

Chain Spelling Classroom Game.

#12: Preposition of Place Quiz

#13: Apples to Apples

Try out this fun game with your students to work on vocabulary as well as critical thinking. Students have to make connections between words and then justify why they’ve made that decision.

It’s possible to use the ready-made game for kids or adults. Or, you can make your own cards and even get the students to help you with this. Find out more:

Apples to Apples Game.

#14: Speaking Fluency Activity

#15: Bingo Game for the Classroom

Bingo is a classic game for students. I like to play mine with a twist so that it has a bit more educational value. Instead of simply saying the word, I describe it using clues. Or, I get students to do the describing part. Learn more about this Bingo adaptation:

Bingo Game.

#16: Running Dictation Games to Play in Class

This is a multi-skill game that has a ton of educational value to it! Find, or write a conversation between two people. Then, students have to work together to dictate the conversation. Once that’s done, they have to put the conversation in the correct order. Check it out:

Running Dictation Game.

#17: Odd One Out

#18: Charades

I love to play charades with my students to review new vocab words. It’s a fun game to play in class and makes an excellent party game as well. It’s one of the best games to play in class.

Students have to act out words or phrases and then their teammates have to guess what it is. Want to know more about using charades in the classroom? Find out all the details:

ESL Charades Game.

#19: The Name Game

This is a nice way to help students remember each others’ names and a fun fact about each person. It’s a fun game to play on the first day of class. Have a look:

The Name Game.

#20: Vocabulary Quiz (Name 5 Things)

#21: Puzzle Finder Game

This is a nice icebreaker activity that focuses on using teamwork to accomplish a task. Students are given a puzzle piece and then they have to circulate around the classroom in order to find their match. This is challenging, especially in a bigger class. Check it out:

Puzzle Finder ESL Game.

#22: Information Gap Games and Activities

#23: Guessing Games to Play in Class

Try out this fun guessing game as a quick warmer activity. Students have to choose one of the people (or things) from the PowerPoint slide and then give hints to their partner. The partner has to guess who (or what) the person is describing. It’s a nice way to introduce just about any topic, so give it a try today! Find out the details here:

Guessing Game.

#24: Board Games

#25: Telephone Games to Play in Class

Do you remember playing Telephone (Chinese whispers) as a kid? Students have to pass a secret message down the line from student-to-student. The person at the end compares what they have with the original. It’s fun game for the classroom. Try to out today:

Telephone Game.

#26: Got to Hand it to You Relay Race

Try out this fun game to play in class if you want to take something old (error correction) and make it new again. Students have to work together to correct errors in a passage or list of sentences. Find out more about it:

Got to Hand it to Relay Race.

#27: Flip-Chart Review Game

This game for the classroom is a nice way to review key vocabulary words. Students have to describe words to other students who have to guess what they are. The team with the most points at the end of the allotted time is the winner. Try this fun classroom game today:

Flip-Chart Vocab Game.

#28: Never Have I Ever

This is a classic drinking game that you may have played before. It’s also possible to use it in the classroom, without the drinks of course! In the course of this game, you’ll find out who has had the most exciting life. Check it out:

Never Have I Ever.

#29: Alphabet Review Game

#30: Can/Can’t Guessing Game

This is a fun guessing game to play with students. It’s best for little kids and it’s a nice way to review can and can’t or animals. Have a look here:

Can/Can’t Guessing Game

#31: Dictogloss

#32: Typhoon ESL Classroom Game

If you’re looking for a fun review game, then typhoon should certainly be one to consider. I use this as a review activity before the midterm and final exams and it’s so fun that students keep asking me to play it again! Check it out:

Typhoon ESL Review Game.

#33: Don’t Forget to Use a Warm-Up Activity

#34: Basketball Game to Play in Class

If you’re looking for one of the best games to play in class, then you’ll want to consider ESL basketball. It’s ideal for children but I’ve also used it with teenagers and university students with great success. This activity is perfect for reviewing vocabulary or simple grammatical structures. Find out more about this game to play during class:

Basketball ESL Game.

#35: I’m Going on a Picnic

Try out this simple road trip game with your English learners! It’s easy to play, requires no preparation and is fun. Learn more:

I’m going On a picnic game.

#36: Ideas for the First Day of English Class

#37: Me Too!

This is a simple listening and speaking game for beginners. Students have to say a true statement about themselves. For example:

• I have 2 brothers.
• My favourite food is pizza.
• I hate exercising.

If it’s true for other students in the class, they can stand up and say, “Me too!”

Did you like these Games to Play in Class? 

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

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

Whatever the case, get ready for some ESL teaching awesome in your life with these fun classroom games and activities:

Fun Games to Play in Class FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about the best games to play during class. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What games can you play in a classroom?

There are a number of games you can play in a classroom. Some of the best ones include:

• board games
• running dictation
• charades
• taboo
• Pictionary
• categories
• tongue twisters

How can I make my classroom fun?

There are a number of ways to make a classroom more fun. Here are some of the best ideas:

• incorporate mystery
• don’t forget about play!
• use a variety of fun classroom games and activities
• go outside if possible
• review but avoid repeating material
• use humour
• share your own passions

How do I make my class less boring?

If you have a boring class, not to worry. Help is here! Here are some ideas for making a class more fun:

• use a variety of fun classroom games and activities
• go outside, to mix things up
• introduce students to things you’re passionate about
• make it as student-centred as possible
• mix up groups or seating arrangements
• use task-based learning activities
• ask students for feedback and find out what they want to do in class

What are some fun ESL games?

Have your Say about Fun Classroom Games

What’s your top pick for a game to play in class? Is it one of the options from this list or do you have another one that you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. 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 teachers, like yourself find these engaging student games.

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