Classroom word games for learning English vocabulary

Flashcard Sets

classroom games tips and ideas

learning and teaching resources

Flashcards make learning fun. They are a great tool for presenting, practising and revising new vocabulary. Also, you can use them to play different word games such as memory, matching or guessing games. Here are some suggestions for using our flashcard sets in class.

Fun, interactive, great tools for learning. Who doesn't like to play classroom games? Here are some ideas to inspire you. These activities can be used in any topic!

The suggested games focus on spelling, writing and vocabulary building. They require minimal preparation and can be used just to practise any vocabulary.

Below you will find descriptions of the following classroom games:

• memory
• snap
• charades
• have a race
• missing letters
• hot potato
• card race

To browse all of our flashcard sets sorted alphabetically by topic, use this resource guide. Also, we offer a variety of online word games that go well with these printables.

ideas for extra classroom games

Below you will find some classroom games that go well with our flashcard sets. Any game can be used in any vocabulary topic.

memory

  • In the game of Memory players try to collect pairs of matching cards.
  • A player turns up two cards.
  • If they match, they are collected by the player and he or she goes again.
  • If they don't match, the cards are flipped over and it's the next player's turn.
  • The player with the most matching sets of cards at the end of the game wins.

snap

  • This is a fast, fun game, requiring quick reflexes and sharp observation.
  • Print 2 or 4 sets of the flashcards.
  • Shuffle the cards and deal them out to all the players.
  • Take it in turns to turn over a card, the player should say what is on the card.
  • Then place it in the middle of the table.
  • If a player turns up a card which is the same as the previous one, the first player to shout Snap! wins all the cards in the pile.
  • Players are out of the game when they have no cards left.
  • The winner is the player who has all the cards.

charades

  • Place the flashcards in a pile face down on the table or floor.
  • One person takes the top card, and without showing it, tries to elicit the word from the other player without speaking. For example, if the card is Lion, pretend to be a lion by making a mane with your hands.
  • If the other player can guess the word, it is his turn to take a card.

have a race

  • Stick several flashcards on the board in a row.
  • Divide the class into two teams.
  • Call out one of the flashcards.
  • The first student to touch the correct flashcards wins a point for the team.

missing cards

  • Place four cards in front of pupils.
  • Give them a few moments to memorize the pictures (or words). Then tell them to close their eyes.
  • Take away one of the cards. Tell the kids to open their eyes.
  • The first pupil to guess the missing card can take away a card in the next round.

hot potato

  • Invite kids to sit in a circle.
  • Give four or five of the kids a word or picture card. Have them pass the cards around the circle while listening to music.
  • Why the music stops, each pupil holding a card must name the vocabulary word on the card.

card race

  • To begin, create your own game course by arranging the flashcards in a long line with starting and finishing points.
  • Give each student a marker.
  • The first student throws the dice and moves.
  • The student must say the word on the flashcard he/she lands on.
  • If the student makes a mistake, he/she goes back to his/her original place.
  • You can adapt the game in many ways as well as add some wild cards to make the game more exciting (for example, Take Another Turn, Go Ahead Two Spaces, Miss a Turn, Go Back One Space).