Speaking games
Speaking practice fails for one of two reasons: the child has nothing to say, or nothing is at stake in saying it. These games fix both — a topic appears, the clock runs, and the sentence has to come out now.
The teacher plays too. A child who has just heard you fumble for a word in front of everyone will risk one of their own.
🎈 Games in this collection
Star Quest
Teams sail an island of surprise cards — six kinds of challenge, and a class pet that hatches while you play.
Campfire Circle
Question cards drawn over a crackling fire — 150 conversation starters, a card lit by the flames, and marshmallow sticks to mark whose turn it is.
Fortune Wheel
A painted carnival wheel with your class on its slices. Spin it, hear the ratchet slow, and a ticket prints with the lucky name.
Name 3
Tap the floating cube. It turns, a topic is engraved on the face it lands on, and you name three.
Painter's Attic
A secret word arrives on a painter's palette and you draw it on a real easel canvas — brush sounds, paint-blob colours and a skylight for a timer.
Wishing Dice
Tip the leather cup and one to four ivory dice tumble out onto the velvet. The total is stamped into the felt in wax.
Deck of Wonders
A magician's deck in a curtained study: brass filigree backs, a true 3D flip, and a horn that says the word out loud. Keep what you know; the rest returns.
Two Doors
One question, two great doors, one answer on each. The class votes, and the right door swings open into the light.
🗂️ Printable packs
Print & go
🌟 Send as homework
Five joyful minutes at home: the child listens, taps the right picture and collects stars.
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Games by topic · 5 min read❓ Questions teachers ask
How do I get a shy child to speak?
Take the spotlight off the answer. Let them speak for a puppet, or answer at the same time as you, or say the word while drawing. Shy children talk when nobody is watching them talk.
Should I correct mistakes while they are speaking?
Not during the round. Repeat the sentence back correctly as if you were just agreeing, and keep the game moving. Save explicit correction for the calm minute afterwards, and only for the mistake that repeated.
How do I make them answer in full sentences?
Put the sentence frame on the screen and score it. One point for the word, three for the whole sentence — with the scoreboard visible, the arithmetic does the nagging for you.