ESL Activities For Children
Animal Farm Story - an activity that will be suitable for kids over the age of 3 years or older. The teacher tells a story, and when the child hears their designated animal, they make noises representing that animal.
Animal Game - children walk round in a circle, and act out the sound of an animal when one is called.
Blindfold Questioning - in this efl/esl game, the kids are blindfolded and try to guess the name of another student, by asking questions in order to identify the other students.
Charades - players try to guess the correct word or phrase that is being acted out.
Classroom Race - a question and answer game. Students try to correctly answer a set of questions, and take steps towards the finish line.
Forehead Guessing - students race each other to the finish line by answering a set of questions. With every correct answer, they are allowed to take one step towards the finish line.
Fruit Circle - Children sit in a circle and listen for their fruit or grammar tense. When the person in the middle of the circle calls out their fruit or grammar tense, they must quickly run to find a seat.
Guessing Names - a name guessing game that can be used as an ice-breaker for new classes, particularly at the start of the school year.
Hangman - to guess the mystery word before been hanged.
Hot Potato - a game that is played with music, using a ball (the Hot Potato) to pass from one player to the next. When the music stops, the player holding the ball forfeits, and is asked to perform something silly.
Letters of the Alphabet - a game that introduces young children to letters of the alphabet. Players try to say a word beginning with a letter.
Letter and Number Sculpting - players work in small teams to form letters or numbers with their bodies. This activity is suitable for teaching young children the alphabet, simple spelling and basic maths in a fun way.
Musical Grouping - students must quickly form groups according to the number that the teacher calls out.
My Little Bird - players say "My little bird" and wave their arms like a bird and names something that can fly.
Narrating A Story - players use action and make up sound effects to act out a story, textbook article or poem.
No Beans - a game that is similar to Twenty Questions in that players have to get rid of all their beans by tricking other players into accepting them.
Paper Aeroplane Review - Students form teams and try to score points for their team by answering questions and trying to hit a target scattered throughout the classroom. This is an excellent review game for children.
Preposition Treasure Hunt - this is a game that is played in pairs. Student hide a piece of "treasure" under a chair or table, while another student must find it by asking a series of questions using prepositions.
Sculpting Figures - yet another roleplay/drama activity played in pairs. The teacher calls out a different vocabulary and players try to "sculpt" their partner.
Sea Creatures - children pretend to be a sea creatures swimming around a "shark". The teacher calls out a different command and the fishes and sea creatures must try to avoid been eaten (tagged) by the shark.
Words to a Song - a writing activity that is played by listening to music. When players hear a line from the song they are listening too written out in front of them, they must grab the words before the other players can get to them.