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in Activities for Adults· Activities for Kids

I’m Going on a Picnic: An ESL Warmer or Time-Filler Activity

If you’re looking for a very simple ESL warmer activity or time-filler, then consider using, “I’m going on a picnic.” It doesn’t require any preparation or materials and it’s a way to challenge students to use critical thinking to uncover patterns. Keep on reading to find out more about this, “I’m going on a picnic” activity.

I'm going on picnic game

I’m going on a picnic is a nice ESL speaking and listening activity for kids, teenagers or adults. Have some fun in class today!

What is, “I’m going on a picnic?”

I’m going on a picnic is a simple game that has to do with noticing patterns. The leader says something that they’re going to bring on a picnic and then the other participants say what they’re going to bring and ask if they can come too. If it fits the pattern, they can. If it doesn’t fit the pattern, they aren’t allowed to come.

Continue until people have figured out the pattern. The person who uncovered it can be the leader for the next ground.

“I’m Going on a Picnic” ESL Warm-Up Activity

Skills: Listening/speaking
Time: 5-10 minutes
Level: Intermediate-advanced

This is an oldie, but a goodie. It gets students talking and thinking critically.

Think of a rule for items on the picnic, but don’t tell the class. For example, “must contain the letter E,” or, “must be a countable noun.” Tell them you are going on a picnic and give examples of 3-5 items you are taking with you to give them hints about your rule. Then, elicit from the students what they would take. If their item doesn’t fit your rule, tell them they can’t take it and that they can’t come with you!

To keep wait times between turns shorter, have large classes work in groups of 2-3, rather than individually. In any case, set a time limit for each person or group making a guess (20-30 seconds), or they are out. The group to guess the rule wins.

Please note that groups are not out if they suggest an item that doesn’t match the rule, or if they guess the wrong rule. The time limit is to keep the game moving and disqualifying students for not making guesses keeps students from just listening to other guesses to guess the rule without otherwise contributing.

ESL I'm going on a picnic game

I’m Going on a Picnic Procedure:

  1. Think of a rule for items which can go on the picnic, such as “must contain the letter E,” or, “must be countable.”
  2. Tell the class you are going on a picnic and give examples of 3-5 items you are taking with you to give them hints about your rule.
  3. Elicit from the students what they would take. If their item doesn’t fit your rule, tell them they can’t take it.
  4. Continue until students uncover the rule.
  5. Have large classes work in groups of 2-3 and set a 20-30 second time limit to keep wait times between turns shorter. The group to guess the rule wins

Like this Activity?

39 ESL Warm-Ups: For Kids (7+) (ESL Games and Activities for Kids)
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For Kids (7+) (ESL Games and Activities for Kids)
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 50 Pages - 09/13/2015 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent...
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Yes? Then you’re going to love this book: 39 ESL Warm-Ups for Kids. There are tons of great ideas for starting your English class off in style. You can find the book in a variety of formats so get ready for some ESL teaching awesome in your life!

Pick up a copy of the book today and get ready for better English classes tomorrow:

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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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