Vocabulary games without materials:
10 games you can play right now
Ten minutes left, a restless class and no materials? These ten vocabulary games need nothing but the class – and sometimes a board.
No credit card needed · Always free for students
10 vocabulary games without materials
- 1
I went on holiday and I packed …
5–10 minEach student repeats all the words so far and adds one: “Je pars en vacances et j’emporte …”, “Me voy de vacaciones y me llevo …”.
Rules & template → - 2
Word chain
5 minEach word starts with the last letter of the previous one. Whoever hesitates sits down – the last three win.
Rules & template → - 3
Alphabet round
5 minAround the class, one word on a topic in alphabetical order. Difficult letters may be skipped.
- 4
Buzz
5 minThe class counts in the target language and says “Buzz” instead of every number divisible by three. Whoever gets it wrong sits down. Perfect for numbers.
- 5
I spy
5 min“Je vois quelque chose de …”, “Veo, veo …” – a student describes an object in the room and the class guesses in the target language.
- 6
Charades
10 minA student acts out a word and the class guesses. Works especially well with verbs and hobbies.
Rules & template → - 7
Hot seat
10 minOne student with their back to the board, the class describes a word in the target language until they guess it.
- 8
Hangman
5 minOnly a board needed – best with words from the current unit.
- 9
Categories
10 minWith categories in the target language: animal, food, country, verb. One sheet of paper per student is enough.
Rules & template → - 10
Two truths and a lie
10 minA student says three sentences about themselves, and the class asks follow-up questions in the target language and guesses which one is the lie.
And if there is a projector after all
With a projector and a word set, hangman, hot seat and word scramble become board games in seconds, using the words your class is learning right now – with no preparation.
See the board games →Frequently asked questions
Which vocabulary games work without a board?
“I went on holiday and I packed”, word chain, alphabet round, Buzz, I spy and charades need nothing but the class.
Do the games work for cover lessons?
Yes, they are ideal for them – you don’t need to know where the class is in the course book.
How long do the games take?
Between five and ten minutes. Most can be extended or stopped whenever the bell rings.
More for your lessons
For your next lesson with a projector: try the board games
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