20 Fun Zoom Games for Kids
If one thing is certain lately when it comes to teaching, it's the uncertainty. Will we be in person for the rest of this month or are we headed for another quarantine? Will snow days be days off or will we be expected to offer online classes? Trying to prepare for every possible scenario can be exhausting, so it always helps to have a toolbox full of online activities ready just in case. Here are 20 fun Zoom games for kids to use whenever planning a virtual class.
And if you need even more great virtual classroom resources, check out the WeAreTeachers guide to a happy and healthy virtual classroom!
(Note: WeAreTeachers may collect a percentage of sales made through the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Would You Rather (kids version)
Given two equally absurd choices, children must choose between the options. Hilarious and insightful, your students will love a quick spin of this game.
2. Freeze dance
This is more of a fun activity than a game, but it gets kids moving and moving (and grooving!). It's perfect after a block of classes. Put on fun music and encourage kids to show off their best dance moves. When the music stops, everyone freezes. Those who are still dancing are outside and sit down to watch their classmates.
3. First letter, last letter
This is a fun word game that will help strengthen spelling and vocabulary. Choose a category, for example Animals. The first player names an animal. For example dog. The next player must name an animal that begins with the last letter dog - such as a giraffe. The next player must name an animal starting with the last letter giraffe and so on.
4. Crazy Libraries
Mad Libs aren't just a fun way to tell crazy stories; They're a great way to practice parts of speech. Have students fill out one of these online versions, then share with the class!
5. I spy
Test your students' observation skills with a quick round of I Spy. Select an object from your wallpaper. For example: “I see something green.” Students take turns guessing what the object is. You can also choose something from someone else's background. For example: "I'm spying on something in Taylor's background that looks soft."
6. Person, place or thing
This fun alphabet game gives students a chance to recognize and name nouns. Player 1 starts with the letter A and must name a person, place or thing that starts with the letter A (note: "person" can be expanded to include any living thing if you like). The next player must say a noun beginning with the letter B, and so on. The game continues, taking each student's turn, until you reach Z.
7. Detective
This fun guessing game gives kids a chance to get some of their wobbles out. Choose a student to be the "detective" and ask them to mute their microphone, close their eyes and count to thirty. Choose a student other than It. The player who is "It" begins an action such as patting themselves on the head. All other students follow suit and pat themselves on the head. When the detective is done counting, they open their eyes and observe the group. If "It" thinks the detective is looking at someone else, they change the action, e.g. B. by clapping their hands. All other students change their behavior too. The detective has to guess three times to catch the player who is "It".
8. Reminder
Prepare a board with random items like a brush, pencil, spool of thread, etc. Tell your students that you will give them 20 seconds (or however many you deem appropriate) to memorize the items they see. Students cannot write down a list of items or take a screenshot; they just have to memorize them by seeing. Move the board out of sight and pick up an item. Show the board on the screen again and see who can name the missing item fastest.
9. Drawing on your head
This silly activity only takes a few minutes and is sure to get your group giggling. Name an object, for example a tree or a lion. Each student must place their whiteboard (or a sheet of paper on a book) on their head and draw the named object. When they think they are done, take their drawings off their heads and show them to the group.
10. Rock, Paper, Scissors
Another quick challenge. The goal of this version of the well-known game is not to win, but to see how many rounds you can stay in the game against the teacher. The game starts with one, two, three, shoot. Everyone makes their choice and makes sure others can see their choice on the screen. If the teacher's choice beats yours, you're out. If not, keep playing.
11. Mingle
Online meetings have dampened impromptu conversations with and among your students. Spice up the conversation with your students by asking new and interesting questions. Come up with some of your own or try this fun card pack from Let's Mingle. Ideal for building students' social-emotional skills and as a team building activity.
12. Mysterious person
Many teachers start the school year by having their students fill out an interest register. Here is an example. Email the inventory to each student and have them fill it out and mail it back to you (ask them to put a star next to anything they'd rather not share). After getting all the inventories, you can play the game. Share three answers from a student's inventory and give students a chance to guess who you're talking about. If no one can, give another hint. Continue until someone guesses or the person reveals themselves to the group.
13. Story chain
Start a story with an engaging hook. For example: “One day I was walking through a shady forest. I thought I was alone, but suddenly..." Have students raise their hands if they want to tell the next part of the story. Choose a student to continue the story (just a line or two) and have them choose the next storyteller in the same way. Continue until everyone who wants has had a chance to contribute. Feel free to jump back and finish the story if it falters.
14. Mystery Sound
This is a fun activity that tests students' perception skills. Make a sound with something with your hands out of sight of the camera. For example, crumple a piece of paper, hit the rim of a glass with a spoon, or snap your fingers. Have students take turns guessing what they hear.
15. 20 questions
This classic road trip game is perfect for online learning. Choose any topic that might interest your students - an animal, an event, something you are studying. Each student may only ask one question and guess once per round. Don't let students blurt out the answer—they'll have to wait their turn. To help you keep track, ask a student to keep track of how many questions were asked.
16. Simon says
Even though the Simon Says game has been around forever, kids still love it! Have everyone stand in front of their computer and start the game by calling actions. When students exit, have them sit down until only one student remains standing.
17. 5 Second Rule
This fun game gives students 5 seconds to name 3 things that fit into a specific category e.g. B. "Name 3 books of fiction" or "Name 3 insects". Sounds easy, but five seconds isn't a lot of time! Buy the Five Second Rule Jr. board game or get free Quizlet flashcards online.
18. Last word
This game works best with a small group of students. Before you play, determine who will play first, second, etc. Enter the order in the chat box to help students keep track. Choose a theme and a letter of the alphabet. For example, snacks that start with the letter P. Set a timer and have each student in turn list an item. Continue until the timer sounds. The last person to say something before the buzzer sounds wins the round. Make your own Last Word playing cards or buy the board game.
19. Categories
This game is a more advanced version of the above game and is just like the Scattergories board game. But instead of having each student name one thing in turn, each person fills in the blank in a series of categories that start with a specific letter. Try this online version for free that generates rounds automatically.
20. Taboo
This game really challenges a person's communication skills. The game uses clue cards that have the clue word at the top of the card and the taboo words listed below. The aim of the game is for a player to ask another player to guess as many clue words as possible in sixty seconds without saying any of the taboo words listed below. This version of the board game contains both kid-friendly and more challenging cards. Or try this free online version that automatically generates maps.
Also, a few helpful tools:
word generators
These two websites automatically generate words and phrases for games like Pictionary, Charades, Catchphrase and more: The Game Gal and RandomWordGenerator.
name generator
Most teachers have a preferred method of randomly selecting names so that every student has an opportunity to participate. Wheel of Names is a fun online tool that spins a wheel (aka Wheel of Fortune) to choose who's next. Just enter the names of entire students and give it a try.
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