27 Fun ESL Activities for Kids & Teens to Boost English Skills

As an English teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how interactive games and activities can make learning English a joy for kids. Bringing ESL activities into your classroom amplifies positivity and engagement, which is critical to helping students develop their language skills and feel more confident.

These games and activities teach students a fun way to practice vocab, grammar, pronunciation, and speaking. They’re flexible, too, so you can tweak them to fit various age groups and skill levels. That way, everyone can join in and learn at their own pace.

Adapting these activities to fit your students’ needs might mean adjusting the rules, materials, or difficulty level. The goal is to make sure every student can dive in and get the most out of the learning experience.

How can I make my ESL lesson fun?

Understanding your students’ interests and their lived experiences is a cornerstone of effective ESL teaching. It’s the key to making your ESL lessons fun, effective, and memorable.

Drawing from my English teaching experience in a small village, I found it invaluable to learn about my students’ favorite activities, such as football and gaming. It’s also helpful to understand their lifestyle and social media use. 

This knowledge helped me tailor my ESL lesson plans and create activities that made learning fun for my students—I could see it in their eyes! I also noticed a significant increase in participation, including from ESL students who were initially less engaged.

So, take the time to get to know your students’ interests. This will allow you to design more engaging lessons, including activities like readings, that your students will find enjoyable and meaningful. It will also contribute to your overall success as a teacher. 

ESL Sentence Building Activities

English as a Second Language (ESL) sentence-building activities touch on English grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, aiming to make students more fluent and accurate in English, whether writing or speaking.

These activities vary from simple tasks for beginners, like putting jumbled words in order, to more involved ones for intermediate level learners, such as creating sentences that follow certain grammar rules or using new words.

1. Mixed Up Sentences

The Mixed Up Sentences activity is fun for students to practice constructing grammatically correct sentences. It helps reinforce their understanding of sentence structure and word order.

How To Teach Mixed Up Sentences:

• Write a simple sentence on the blackboard or on a worksheet, such as “The cat chased the mouse.”
• Break the sentence into individual words or phrases and scramble the order. For example, the sentence could be rearranged as “chased / the / mouse / the cat.”
• Have students unscramble the mixed-up words or phrases to form the proper sentence.
• Start with basic sentences and gradually increase the difficulty level using longer sentences with more complex structures.
• You can make it competitive by splitting the class into teams and keeping score.
• Encourage students to explain their thought process for arranging the words correctly.
• Provide feedback and reinforce the rules of sentence structure as needed.

2. Dictogloss

Dictogloss is a collaborative listening and English writing activity that helps improve students’ ability to comprehend and reconstruct sentences or short passages.

How To Play Dictogloss:

• Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
• Read a short passage aloud at a normal speed while students listen without taking notes.
• After reading, students confer in their groups to reconstruct the passage in their own words as accurately as possible.
• Each group shares its version, and you provide the original text for comparison.
• Discuss differences and reinforce key English vocabulary, grammar points, or pronunciation issues.
• Repeat the process with a new passage, gradually increasing the difficulty level.

3. A-Z Alphabet Game

The A-Z Alphabet Game is a fast-paced activity that helps students practice vocabulary and spelling while thinking quickly on their feet.

How To Play the A-Z Alphabet Game:

• Divide the class into two teams.
• Pick a category, such as “fruits” or “occupations.”
• One team starts by naming a word from the category that begins with A.
• Teams take turns naming words in alphabetical order, with each subsequent word starting with the next letter.
• If a team cannot provide a word or repeats one, they are out for that round.
• The game continues until one team makes it through the entire alphabet.
• Keep score and switch categories for subsequent rounds.

4. Hot Potato Game

The Hot Potato Game is an energetic activity that helps young learners construct sentences and speak English fluently.

How To Play the Hot Potato Game:

• Students stand or sit in a circle.
• Use a small object like a ball or stuffed animal as the “hot potato.”
• Play music or a song and have students pass the hot potato around the circle.
• Pause the music at random intervals. The student holding the hot potato must speak for 5-10 seconds on a given topic or respond to a question.
• Topics can range from simple word/sentence prompts to open-ended scenarios.
• If the student is unable to respond, they are out for that round.
• The last remaining student wins that round.
• Increase difficulties by reducing response times or using more complex prompts.

ESL Reading and Writing Activities

These ESL games and activities integrate reading skills with comprehension, writing exercises, speaking, and imaginative language use, helping your students become well-rounded individuals.

5. Kahoot Quizzes 

Kahoot interactive quizzes are digital multiple-choice quizzes that can test reading comprehension and target vocabulary words in an engaging, game-like format.

How To Use Kahoot Quizzes:

• Create or find pre-made Kahoot vocabulary quizzes on a book, passage, or set of vocabulary words.
• Students use devices (computers, tablets, phones) to join the Kahoot game.
• Project the questions and answer choices on a screen.
• Students race to choose the correct answer on their devices.
• After each question, Kahoot shows the correct answer and current ranking of students.
• Discuss any incorrect answers as a class.
• The student with the highest score at the end wins.
• Kahoot turns reading comprehension into a fun, competitive group activity that gets students invested.

6. Baamboozle Games 

Baamboozle is a game-based online learning platform that offers over a million games that can be played with just one classroom screen, eliminating the need for personal devices. You can also create classroom games and use Baamboozle features to enhance ESL reading activities. 

For example, you can do sequencing activities for stories or texts with a clear sequence of events. A game I recommend for this is called “Pieces.” 

How To Play Pieces:

• Select an appropriate story, article, or text and cut it into separate segments like sentences or paragraphs.
• Scramble the text segments and distribute them to students or groups.
• Students must read and analyze each segment carefully to determine the logical flow.
• By rearranging the pieces, students reconstruct the complete narrative in the correct order.
• This can be done physically by moving pieces around or digitally on Baamboozle by reordering files.
• Once assembled, have students present and justify the sequence they chose.
• Discuss any differences from the original and key comprehension points.

7. Vocabulary Bingo

Looking for fun vocabulary games? Vocabulary Bingo is a twist on the classic game that reinforces word definitions and usage in an interactive way.

How To Play Vocabulary Bingo:

• Prepare bingo cards with vocabulary words your students are learning.
• Instead of calling out the words directly, read their definitions one by one.
• Students listen carefully and identify the word that matches each definition on their card.
• The first student to get a pattern like “four corners” or a straight line shouts, “Bingo!”
• Have the student reread the definition and provide the corresponding word to verify.
• Play multiple rounds, mixing the definitions and introducing new words over time.

8. Rewrite for Kids

Rewriting stories aimed at children is a creative way to practice simplifying complex ideas and using age-appropriate language. This engaging activity builds crucial skills like paraphrasing, simplifying, summarizing, and writing for a specific audience.

How To Do Rewrite for Kids:

• Choose a short story or fable with an exciting plot but advanced vocabulary.
• Have students read and comprehend the original story.
• Then, students rewrite the story using simple words and sentence structures a child could understand.
• Encourage the use of dialogue, descriptive words, and incorporating illustrations.
• Students can read their kid-friendly versions out loud or create short books.
• Discuss how they determined which details to keep, remove, or rephrase.

9. Add Misspelled Words

Add misspelled words is one of the most popular spelling games. It encourages students to actively look for and correct spelling errors. This simple proofreading activity improves spelling, vocabulary, and attention to detail.

How To Do Add Misspelled Words:

• Select a short text like a story, article, or instructions.
• Misspell 5-10 common words at random throughout the text.
• Hand out the misspelled text to students and have them identify the errors.
• As students find misspelled words, they re-write the words correctly.
• Go over the proper spellings as a class when everyone has corrected the text.
• Discuss any commonly misspelled words and helpful spelling rules.

10. Whisper Race

The Whisper Race is an energetic way to practice listening comprehension and writing skills. This game also fosters teamwork and can be a light-hearted way to practice pronunciation and sentence structure.

How To Play The Whisper Race:

• Arrange students in a line or circle formation.
• Whisper a short sentence to the first student in the line.
• Students whisper the sentence along one by one, from ear to ear.
• The last student says the sentence aloud or writes it on the board.
• Compare the final sentence to the original for accuracy.
• Award points if the sentence was transmitted successfully.
• Take turns having new students start the whispering.

11. Blank Out Words

Filling in blanked-out words using context clues is an excellent ESL vocabulary practice and reading comprehension exercise. Students must use their understanding of the text and grammar to fill in the blanks, making educated guesses about the missing words.

How To Do Blank Out Words:

• Choose an appropriate text for the students’ reading level.
• Blank out 5-10 key vocabulary words throughout the text.
• Distribute the text with the blanked-out words to students.
• Students read the text carefully and use context clues to determine the missing words.
• Have students fill in their guesses for the blanked-out words.
• Review the original text as a class and discuss their reasoning.
• Increase difficulty by blanking different types of words like nouns, verbs, etc.

ESL Art-Based Activities

Fun ESL games don’t always have to be direct language activities. Art-based activities can also be an engaging way to teach English language skills and fluency. They allow students to express themselves creatively while practicing their language skills in a meaningful context.

12. Holiday Themes

Celebrate holidays and cultural traditions through creative art projects that reinforce vocabulary.

How To Teach Holiday Theme Art:

• Select an upcoming holiday like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Diwali, etc.
• Discuss the holiday’s history, customs, and related vocabulary words.
• Have students create themed arts and crafts projects like cards, drawings, and sculptures.
• For Valentine’s, they could design heart-shaped cards with love-related vocabulary.
• For Christmas, students make ornaments while learning words like “tinsel” and “mistletoe.”
• Display the projects around the classroom to generate excitement.

13. Simon Says Art

Simon Says Art combines the classic game with following instructions related to art-making.

How To Play Simon Says Art:

• Gather art supplies like paper, paints, markers, clay, etc.
• Give instructions using “Simon Says” before each command, like “Simon Says draw a star.”
• Students only follow the instruction if you say “Simon Says” first.
• Use varied vocabulary like shapes, colors, verbs related to artistic actions.
• If students follow an instruction without “Simon Says,” they’re out that round.
• The last student remaining to follow instructions correctly wins.

14. Starry Night at Home

Use simple materials to recreate Van Gogh’s famous Starry Night painting (or any other famous artwork).

How To Do Starry Night at Home:

• Show students images of Van Gogh’s Starry Night for inspiration.
• Provide white paper, blue and black paint, glue, and thumbtacks/pushpins.
• Students paint the night sky background using shades of blue.
• Once dry, they add a swirling effect with black paint for the stars.
• Glue thumbtacks on to create a starry, swirling effect.
• Use cityscape images as guides to silhouette buildings, trees, etc.
• This multisensory project exposes students to an iconic artwork while practicing colors and shapes.

15. Learning the Body

Have students draw and label all the parts of the human body to reinforce body part vocabulary. 

How To Do Learning the Body:

• Students draw a large human body outline on paper/poster board.
• Review names of major external body parts like “head,” “arms,” “legs,” etc.
• Have students carefully label each part by writing out the words.
• Use different colors to emphasize separating each body part.
• For internal organs, create a second outline or do it separately.
• Discuss spellings, compare illustrations, and reinforce correct usage.

16. Wish You Were Here

This fun activity involves creating a postcard or banner with a picture and a message to send to someone who is not present. It can also be used to practice vocabulary related to expressing feelings, describing places, and using imperatives.

How To Teach Wish You Were Here:

• Provide postcard templates or blank paper/banners.
• Students draw a picture of a real or imaginary place they’ve visited or want to go.
• Have them write a short message expressing feelings about the place.
• The message invites the recipient to visit, using imperative phrases like “You should see…”
• Encourage the use of descriptive words to paint a vivid picture.
• Students can present and explain their postcards.
• Display the postcards around the class when complete.​​

17. Coloring with Words

In this activity, you can reinforce vocabulary by using new words repeatedly to color in sections of a picture. This helps students remember new vocabulary by connecting it with visual stimuli.

How To Do Coloring with Words:

• Prepare outlines of scenes with different objects/sections to color.
• Assign a color and vocabulary word to each section.
• Students use the word to carefully color/shade that entire section.
• For example, writing “mountain” in brown to color the mountain area.
• Go over any challenging words by having students share their colored sections.
• Increase difficulty with more advanced vocabulary themed around the picture.

18. Interview the Subject

Role-play interviewing skills by questioning a subject and recording their responses.

How To Do Interview the Subject:

• One student volunteers as the “subject” to a fictional scenario.
• Other students prepare interview questions to uncover details about the scenario.
• Conduct the interview, with one student serving as the interviewer.
• The subject responds based on their perspective of the events.
• The interviewer records and summarizes the subject’s statements.
• Discuss effective questioning techniques, identifying inconsistencies, etc.
• Switch roles so multiple students can practice interviewing.

19. Texture Study

Explore different textures by creating textured drawings and art pieces. The hands-on experience cements the meanings of different texture words.

How To Do Texture Study:

• Provide examples of different textures like rough, smooth, bumpy, and furry.
• Have students collect/bring in objects with varying textural surfaces.
• Practice drawing the different textures using pencils, markers, etc.
• Create texture rubbings by placing paper over objects and rubbing them.
• Use mixed media like glue, sand, and fabric to create 3D textured artwork.
• Incorporate new texture vocabulary and descriptors as they work.
• Display finished texture study artworks for discussion and analysis.

20. Mapping Your Town

Create a map of the local area to build vocabulary around places, directions, and spatial awareness.

How To Teach Mapping Your Town:

• Provide a basic map of the town/city or have students draw their own.
• Label major streets, neighborhoods, parks, landmarks, etc., on the map.
• Students add personalized details like their home, school, and favorite places.
• Practice using prepositions and giving directions between locations.
• Encourage students to share knowledge about different areas.
• Introduce new vocabulary words as they come up related to the map.
• Extension: Give each other directions from one place to another.

21. Visit an Art Museum

Take a field trip to an art museum for an immersive language-learning experience. This multi-sensory experience deeply engrains new vocabulary and concepts and enhances retention and understanding.

How To Visit an Art Museum:

• Preview the museum’s collection and plan which exhibits to focus on.
• Pre-teach relevant vocabulary about the artists, techniques, art movements, etc.
• At the museum, have students describe what they see in the artwork.
• Discuss the overall theme’s meanings and have them share reactions.
• Have students recreate their favorite piece or artistic style afterward.
• Write reviews of the museum exhibits using descriptive language.
• Extend by researching one artist further and presenting to the class.

22. Favorite Fruits

Celebrate students’ preferred produce through creative artwork and writing.

How To Do Favorite Fruits:

• Review names of different fruits, colors, textures, and descriptive words.
• Have each student select their favorite fruit.
• Students create an artistic representation (drawing, collage, sculpture).
• They label their artwork with the fruit’s name and describe its appearance.
• As an extension, have students research and write about the fruit’s origin, benefits, etc.
• Display the fruit artwork around the classroom for discussion and celebration.

Option: Do an actual fruit tasting and describing activity. 

23. Student Art Show

Organize an “art show” event where students can display and discuss their best work. Putting their artwork on display provides an excellent context for presenting fluently.

How To Host a Student Art Show:

• Have students submit their favorite artwork from the various activities.
• Collect and arrange the artwork as if hung in an art gallery.
• Students prepare descriptions and statements about each piece.
• Host an opening night “art show” event for students and parents.
• Students take turns being “docents,” presenting their work to visitors.
• Visitors can ask questions and discuss the artistic choices.
• Award ribbons/prizes for different categories like the most creative, best use of color, etc.

24. I Am Collage

Students create a mixed-media collage representing their personality, interests, and identity. This artistic self-portrait allows them to express themselves creatively while practicing descriptive language.

How To Do An I Am Collage:

• Gather various materials like magazines, fabric, photos, drawings, etc.
• Have students cut out words, images, and textures symbolizing their traits/interests.
• On a poster board, students arrange and glue down the collage elements.
• Use the collage as a visual aid for introducing themselves to the class.
• Students describe the meaning behind each component they included.
• Encourage the use of descriptive adjectives and explanations for their choices.
• Display the completed “I Am” collages around the classroom.

25. Picture Bingo Boards

Create customized bingo cards using drawings or images for a visual twist on classic bingo.

How To Make Picture Bingo Boards:

• Provide blank bingo card templates or grids for students.
• Decide on a vocabulary theme like animals, foods, emotions, etc.
• Students draw small pictures or find images to paste into each bingo square.
• They can create a doodle or fun design in the middle free space.
• Review the vocabulary words that correspond to the images together.
• Play bingo by calling out vocabulary words instead of letters/numbers.
• Students mark off the pictures on their boards when they recognize the words.
• The first to get a line of 5 marked-off squares wins that round.

26. Story Swap and Sketch

One student shares a story while others listen and quickly sketch out the narrative. This verbal and visual exercise promotes listening skills, creativity, and comprehension.

How To Do Story Swap and Sketch:

• A student shares a short fictional story or personal anecdote with the class.
• As they listen, other students create a sketch illustrating the story events.
• Encourage the use of descriptive language to inspire vivid illustrations.
• After sharing, students present and explain their sketched interpretations.
• Allow the storyteller to provide feedback on the visual depictions.
• Have multiple students take turns being the storyteller.
• Extension: Students expand their sketches into longer stories or comics.

27. Pictionary

This classic draw-and-guess game is an engaging way to reinforce vocab and descriptions. The fast-paced act of drawing and describing builds quick thinking skills.

How To Play Pictionary:

• Divide the class into two teams.
• One team member attempts to draw a vocabulary word, phrase, or title.
• Their teammates try to correctly guess what is being drawn.
• No letters, numbers, or gestures are allowed – just drawing.
• Teams score points for a correct guess before time runs out.
• Use categories to focus on recently learned vocabulary sets.
• More advanced students can draw idioms, complex concepts, or scenes.

Enhancing Language Learning with Fun ESL Activities 

Learning a new language can feel overwhelming, especially for young English language learners. However, incorporating engaging and interactive ESL activities into your classroom can create a positive and enjoyable learning environment that fosters language acquisition. 

The activities outlined in this article offer diverse options to cater to different learning styles, age groups, and proficiency levels. From sentence-building exercises that reinforce grammar and vocabulary to art-based projects that encourage creative expression, these activities provide a well-rounded approach to language learning.