30 Best Games for Teachers to Play with Students
There are numerous games designed to boost student participation and make learning more enjoyable. Traditional and online games for teachers to play with students can transform classroom dynamics. Let's explore the top 30 games for teachers to play with students.
Favorite Online Games for Teachers
Free online games for teachers offer effective tools for modernizing students' learning journeys and support teachers' professional development by offering real-time data on student performance. Here are the favorite online games for teachers to play in the classroom:
1. MentalUP Brain Games
If you are searching for online games for teachers to play with students, MentalUP is your go-to learning platform, with 150+ educational games for teachers and students. MentalUP's activities support kids' academic journeys with games covering math, science, and language that boost their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
With five different reporting modules, MentalUP identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each student, providing tailored games for teachers designed to help students' educational success. It uses adaptive algorithms to track each student's learning progress and showcase detailed insights into their unique learning paths.
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2. Pictionary Air
Pictionary Air is a modern twist on the classic drawing game, making it one of the fun games for teachers. Students use their smartphones to draw assigned words or phrases, and the drawing appears on a screen visible to the rest of the team.
Pictionary Air is used as one of the icebreaker games for teachers to foster students' imaginative thinking and promote their collaborative learning skills. Students can make drawings and improve their spatial skills with this game.
3. Mad Libs
Mad Libs is one of the back to school games for teachers that involves filling in blanks in a story with random words provided by teammates. It is a great way to improve students' vocabulary, grammar, and creativity, helping them understand how words work together.
Mad Libs is among the ideal indoor activities and games for teachers, offering flexibility in player count and requiring little setup. This collaborative storytelling exercise enhances students' ability to work as a team while honing their communication skills.
4. Duolingo
Duolingo is one of the vocabulary games for teachers that uses gamification to teach new languages through interactive lessons and quizzes. The app provides concise, progressive vocabulary games that build various language skills, including grammar.
Duolingo supports over 30 languages using streaks, badges, and points to motivate students to practice regularly, making learning a language more enjoyable. Teachers can easily track student progress and assign lessons based on class needs.
5. Charades!
Charades! is a classic game that involves acting out clues or phrases for teammates to guess, making it a popular choice among icebreaker games for substitute teachers. It can help students improve communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Charades offers engaging activities and classroom games for teachers, accommodating groups of any size with minimal setup. Additionally, it can be easily adapted to reinforce curriculum content, making it an effective tool for subject-specific review sessions.
6. Scattergories
Scattergories is one of the learning games for teachers, challenging students to rapidly generate words starting with a given letter. This engaging game enhances students' vocabulary, improves spelling skills, and stimulates critical thinking abilities.
By focusing on specific categories of Scattergories, students can review and practice their knowledge of science terms and principles. They can work together to brainstorm ideas and share their knowledge.
7. ABCmouse
ABCmouse is an educational platform designed specifically for young learners, offering interactive activities to develop skills in reading, math, science, and art. It provides a comprehensive experience through games, number puzzles, songs, and lessons.
Teachers can use ABCmouse to supplement classroom activities, providing interactive ways to reinforce key concepts. Its gamified structure helps children stay motivated and excited about learning while developing essential skills.
8. Headbands
Headbands is among free games for teachers that can be easily adapted for classroom use. Students must ask their classmates questions to deduce the mystery term on their headband. This game is excellent for improving listening skills and critical thinking.
It encourages players to think creatively and strategically as they try to find the correct answers. Teachers can easily adapt Headbands for various subjects, such as science terms or historical figures, making them versatile for classroom use.
9. Epic: Kids Books & Reading
Epic is a digital library offering games for teachers to play with students, including books, audiobooks, and educational videos. Teachers can use Epic to introduce students to a vast array of genres and subjects, enhancing their knowledge.
Epic offers engaging quizzes and incentives to maintain young readers' interest. Its read-aloud feature allows developing readers to hear books, enhancing their understanding. It helps students build critical thinking and vocabulary skills.
10. Prodigy Math
Prodigy Math is one of the popular math apps for teachers, designed to make math learning fun for students. With its gamified approach, students improve math skills to progress through a magical world, blending education with adventure.
Educators have the ability to tailor virtual lessons to meet student needs, making it ideal among games for teachers online. The game provides instant feedback, allowing students to quickly identify and learn from their errors, fostering continuous improvement.
11. GoNoodle
GoNoodle is an app that encourages physical activity and mindfulness through interactive videos and games. It is designed to get students moving, making it perfect for incorporating physical exercise into the classroom or during brain breaks.
The games range from dance-alongs to mindfulness exercises, promoting both physical and mental well-being. Teachers can use GoNoodle to help students release energy and refocus, making it easier to transition between lessons.
12. ClassDojo
ClassDojo is a digital platform designed to help teachers manage classroom behavior. It allows teachers to create a positive learning environment by awarding points for participation, making it one of the team building games for teachers.
Students can create avatars, and teachers can post updates, photos, and announcements to share class activities. ClassDojo also supports social-emotional learning by promoting positive behavior, teamwork, and self-discipline.
13. SplashLearn
SplashLearn is an ideal choice for games for substitute teachers, providing interactive and engaging lessons in math and reading for students from Pre-K to Grade 5. It combines fun games with curriculum-aligned content, making learning enjoyable.
It can also be used as one of the professional development games for teachers. SplashLearn can support teachers by helping them understand differentiated instruction, adaptive learning paths, and the use of gamification to enhance engagement.
Popular Fun Games for Teachers
The use of fun games in teaching has proven to be an effective way for educators to capture students' attention and promote active learning in the classroom.
Here are the popular fun games for teachers:
14. Blind Drawing
Blind drawing is a popular activity that can be played throughout the entire school year. In this game, students try to draw a picture based on spoken instructions. Each student has to imagine what's being described and draw it without seeing anything.
Blind drawing is one of the team-building games that fosters collaboration. In this game, pairs work together to achieve a common goal: creating an accurate drawing. Blind drawing also helps students develop creativity and active listening skills.
How to Play Blind Drawing
Divide the class into pairs. One player is given a picture or word that they must describe to their partner without using the same word. The other player draws the picture based on the description. After a set time, reveal the original picture and compare it to the drawing.
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15. Freeze Dance
Freeze Dance is a dancing game centered around moving to music and stopping when it pauses. It's one of the dance and music games that keeps students engaged in the classroom while promoting physical activity and improving listening skills.
Freeze dance encourages physical activity, improves listening skills as students must pay attention to the music, and enhances body control as they try to hold their poses. Freeze dancing is popular in schools, parties, and staff meetings as a warm-up activity.
How to Play Freeze Dance
To play Freeze Dance, play upbeat music, and have students dance. When the music stops, students must freeze. The first to move is eliminated. Continue playing and pausing until one student remains the winner.
16. Back to the Board
Back to the Board is one of the fun games that can be adapted into classrooms to suit various learning objectives. To play, the teacher writes some vocabulary words on the board and divides the class into teams.
Back to the Board is particularly effective for improving vocabulary, listening skills, and teamwork among students. It can also be used to reinforce specific vocabulary topics or to practice different communication strategies in the classroom.
How to Play Back to the Board
The teacher writes vocabulary words on the board and splits students into teams. One student per team faces away from the board. The teacher circles a word, and team members describe or mime it to their teammates. The first to guess correctly scores a point.
17. Fizz Buzz
Fizz Buzz is an engaging game that combines mathematics, quick thinking, and verbal skills. This classic counting game is not only fun but also helps students practice their multiplication tables and improves their ability to recognize patterns.
Fizz Buzz is one of the maths games that help students excel in multiplication, particularly for 3 and 5 or any chosen numbers. Students enjoy the fast-paced nature of Fizz Buzz, and funny mistakes often make everyone laugh, creating a positive learning environment.
How to Play Fizz Buzz
Choose a goal number, such as 40. Students take turns counting up to this number, going around the room. The twist is that for any number containing 5 or divisible by 5, the student must say "Buzz" instead of the number.
18. Group Storytelling
Group Storytelling is an interactive and imaginative game where students join forces to create a shared narrative. This engaging activity serves as an excellent platform for enhancing students' verbal expression, creative thinking, and cooperative abilities.
Teachers can use collaborative storytelling to assess students' understanding of particular topics. Through creating stories together, students learn to respect different perspectives and enhance their ability to express themselves.
How to Play Group Storytelling
To play group storytelling, students take turns adding to a shared narrative. One student begins the story, and then the next student continues it. The process continues until the story is complete.
19. Quizlet
Quizlet is a dynamic platform providing funny games for teachers to play across various subjects. With its diverse array of interactive learning modes, such as memory games, time-based exercises, and quiz-style assessments.
Through its innovative approach to digital learning, Quizlet provides an extensive selection of teachers games for students tailored to various learning styles and preferences. It's a great tool for memorizing vocabulary, terms, and concepts.
How to Play Quizlet
To use Quizlet, simply create or join a flashcard set. Once you have a set, you can choose from various study modes like flashcards, learning, tests, and spelling. These modes will help you review your flashcards, test your knowledge, and track your progress.
Top Educational Games for Teachers
Educational games for teachers transform traditional teaching methods into modern and interactive ways and help educators deepen their connections with students.
Here are the classroom games that offer teachers a fresh way:
20. Fender Play
Fender Play is one of the music games for teachers designed to teach guitar, bass, and ukulele to beginners of all ages. It offers step-by-step video lessons that guide users through the basics of playing instruments, covering techniques, chords, and songs.
Teachers can use it to introduce students to music in a structured and engaging way, making it a great tool for music classes. As one of the party games for teachers, it can be used to create interactive musical experiences during celebrations or special events.
How to Play Fender Play
Users can choose from various learning paths, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced, and learn to play songs from different genres. With Fender Play, you can track your progress, set goals, and connect with other guitarists in the community.
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21. Chalk Talk
Chalk Talk is a collaborative and reflective classroom game that encourages students to share their thoughts and ideas in a silent, written format. Students must analyze the prompt and consider different perspectives.
Chalk Talk encourages participation from all students, including shy ones, by providing a low-pressure environment for idea sharing. This collaborative approach also fosters teamwork and communication skills as students build on each other's thoughts.
How to Play Chalk Talk
To play Chalk Talk, write a prompt and let students silently write their thoughts on a large piece of paper. Encourage them to read and respond to others' ideas. After 10-15 minutes, discuss the ideas generated.
22. PBS Kids Games
PBS Kids Games is an interactive platform offering a wide range of team building games for teachers, focusing on subjects like math, science, and literacy skills. The platform uses beloved PBS Kids characters to make learning engaging for students.
Each game on PBS Kids is structured to promote cognitive development, encouraging skills like counting, reading, and basic science exploration. Teachers can use PBS Kids Games to reinforce classroom lessons, offering students interactive ways to learn.
How to Play PBS Kids Games
To play PBS Kids Games, simply visit the PBS Kids website or download the PBS Kids Games app. From there, you can explore a wide range of games covering various subjects like math, reading, and science and featuring popular PBS Kids characters.
23. SeeSaw
Seesaw is a game that allows teachers to document students' learning and share it with peers and parents. SeeSaw functions as a virtual portfolio where students can upload assignments or record videos.
Teachers can track student progress and provide feedback, creating a more interactive learning environment. Seesaw allows teachers to assign tasks based on individual student needs, promoting personalized learning.
How to Play SeeSaw
Teachers can assign various activities on Seesaw, including drawing, writing, photography, and quizzes. Students complete these tasks using the Seesaw app or website, then submit their work directly to their teacher through the platform.
24. Scavenger Hunt
A Scavenger Hunt is an activity where students search for specific items or complete tasks from a predetermined list. It is an engaging game that teachers can adapt to any subject or theme and can be played both indoors and outdoors.
Scavenger hunts are excellent team-building activities for teachers because they promote collaboration, problem-solving, and communication among children. They help students develop strategies and work together to overcome obstacles.
How to Play Scavenger Hunt
To run a Scavenger Hunt, create a lesson-related item list. Split students into groups, distribute lists and set a time limit. Groups collaborate to find or complete list items. When time's up, the team with the most items wins.
25. Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids is one of the online review games for teachers designed to help students develop core skills in literacy, math, and social-emotional learning. It features a wide range of games, stories, and lessons that adapt to the student's learning pace.
Khan Academy Kids is a supplementary tool, providing educators with dynamic, interactive content, making it ideal for review games for teachers. Its captivating characters and engaging challenges serve to maintain students' interest and focus.
How to Play Khan Academy Kids
To start using Khan Academy Kids, users can create a free account and explore the platform's content. The platform offers a range of activities for different age groups and learning levels. As students progress, they'll earn badges and unlock new features.
26. Science 360
Science 360 is an interactive platform that provides students with access to a wealth of high-quality content related to science, engineering, and technology. Developed by the National Science Foundation, this tool is designed to provide science games for teachers.
Science 360 introduces complex scientific concepts in a visually stimulating way, enhancing classroom discussions and sparking curiosity. The platform offers 360-degree videos that let students view scientific events from multiple angles.
How to Play Science 360
To play and interact with Science 360 videos, users can visit their website or app. For a more engaging experience, they can use a VR headset. You can discover a variety of science topics and interact with the content for a deeper understanding.
27. ANTON - The Learning App for School
ANTON is a learning app offering interactive lessons in math, reading, science, and other subjects for students. It supports teachers through adaptive exercises, quizzes, and games, providing personalized education tailored to each student's pace.
ANTON offers a comprehensive curriculum spanning various subjects, including math, grammar, and science, providing a diverse learning experience. The platform incorporates gamification elements like rewards to boost student motivation and engagement.
How to Play ANTON
ANTON is a learning app offering interactive lessons in math, reading, science, and other subjects for students. It supports teachers through a variety of interactive exercises, games, and quizzes to reinforce students' understanding of key concepts.
28. Lingokids
Lingokids is an app offering interactive games, activities, and lessons. It covers subjects like literacy, math, and social-emotional learning. As one of the name games for teachers, it can be used to help students learn and remember the names of objects.
Lingokids is an educational tool for teaching English to children. It enhances vocabulary, reading, and pronunciation skills through interactive activities. The app also develops fine motor skills with touch-based exercises.
How to Play Lingokids
To use Lingokids, simply create a teacher or parent account and explore the platform's content. You'll find a variety of interactive activities that cover vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. As kids progress, they earn rewards and unlock new features.
29. Baamboozle
Baamboozle is an engaging quiz platform to play in the classroom, covering various subjects. Teachers can create custom quizzes or use pre-made ones to review, introduce topics, or make classroom learning more dynamic with Baamboozle.
Baamboozle's intuitive design makes it easy for students of all ages to use. The platform incorporates game-like features, including point systems and unexpected bonuses, which help maintain students' interest and enthusiasm for learning.
30. Kahoot!
Kahoot! is a highly interactive, game-based learning platform that allows teachers to create quizzes, making it ideal among quiz games for teachers. It supports various subjects and allows teachers to create custom quizzes and choose from a vast library.
Kahoot! also fosters a competitive spirit to energize students and build a positive classroom. Its ability to combine learning with play makes it a standout tool for ice breaker games for teachers, effectively turning education into an exciting experience.
How to Play Kahoot!
Players use their devices to answer questions and compete against each other. The fastest and most accurate answers earn the most points. Kahoot! is often used in educational settings but can also be used for recreational training.
Benefits of Classroom Games for Teachers
Classroom games serve as a modern approach to education, helping teachers introduce concepts in a more accessible and enjoyable manner.
Here are the benefits of classroom games for teachers:
- Enhances student engagement through interactive learning experiences.
- Promotes collaboration and teamwork among students during gameplay.
- Reinforces learning concepts enjoyably and memorably.
- Increases student motivation with gamified elements and rewards.
- Encourages creative teaching methods and lesson delivery.
- Improves classroom management by providing structured activities.
- Provides immediate feedback on student understanding and progress.
- Supports differentiated learning to accommodate various skill levels.
- Builds positive classroom dynamics and student-teacher relationships.
- Develops communication skills through social interactions.
- Creates opportunities for cross-curricular learning and connections.
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