Here are some games that place value on being educational whilst also being FUN!

This page is a work in progress and not complete, stop by later as more and more gets added

*As with all games and activities, make sure to explain the rules and demonstrate correct behavior before the games. This process can be slow, especially with young learners who may not grasp these concepts immediately. It might take several games and different sessions for them to fully understand the rules. However, with time and practice, young learners will naturally follow and comprehend, making the activity enjoyable and easy to play together.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some fun educational games that I use every week!

Individual/small group games

Game 1: Memory

Kids love playing Memory! It is fun and challenging every time. Play for the joy of finding matches or add a slight competitive edge to see who finds the most matches. As well as being great for building language, vocabulary, listening and using English in real-time, Memory is also excellent for improving cognitive skills, memory, concentration, social skills, teaching turn-taking, and following rules

How to Play:

Number of Players:

2 or more

Set Up:

1. Print, cut, fold, and laminate 2 sets of each card.
2. Shuffle the cards thoroughly.
3. Place the cards face down, spaced out separately on the table.

Objective:

To find pairs.

Gameplay:

1. The first player turns over any two cards face up.
2. If they find a pair, they collect that pair and place it in their win pile, then take another turn to turn over two more cards and find a match.
3. If they do not find a pair, they turn the cards back face down in the same place, and the next player takes their turn.
4. Each player continues taking turns to find pairs until all pairs are found.

Tip: It is important to reinforce turning over the cards face up on the table so everyone can see. Often, kids will hold up the cards and look at them so only they can see. If you consistently reinforce this behavior, kids will eventually do it automatically.

Winning:

The player with the most pairs is the winner. At the end, when no cards are left, take turns counting the number of pairs each player has to determine the winner!

Group Games:

Game 1: Card Dash

Card Dash is an active and lively game that students enjoy. In this game, players must quickly search for the cards called out by the teacher.

 Number of Players: Each round is played by 2 players. Players can be in teams, or the winner can continue to the next round against a new challenger.

 Ages 3+

 Setup:

1. Print, cut, fold, and laminate two sets of each card.

2. Place the cards face down in a random order on the floor or game area.

 Gameplay:

1. Spread all the cards face down in a random pattern on the floor or game area. The larger the area the better.

2. Choose a player from each team to participate in the first round. Ensure they are ready and equidistant from the face-down cards.

3. Call out three cards, such as "eyes, nose, head."

4. The students must then race to find these three cards as quickly as possible and return them to their team's designated area.

Note: Players should turn the cards face down each time they check them during gameplay. Cards should never be left face-up at any stage during the game. This adds excitement and extends the game as players won't be sure which cards they have already checked.

Winning:

The player who finds all three cards and brings them back to their team's area is the winner, earning a point for their team.

At the end of a round, gather all the cards and turn them face down again for the next round. You can play as many rounds as you like. The winning team is determined by the team with the most points after all rounds have been played.