Going back to school can feel exciting, but also a little scary. New classroom, new teacher, and maybe even new friends!
That’s why playing games can help. They break the ice, bring laughs, and make everyone feel welcome.
These back to school games for kids are fun, simple, and great for the first week of school. Some help you learn, while others build friendships and teamwork.
Whether you’re in class or outside, there’s a game here for every kind of day.
Let’s make back to school time the best it can be – with smiles, movement, and lots of fun!
Ready to have fun with your classmates? Below are 25 of the best back to school games for kids.
You’ll find indoor games, outdoor games, and games you can play just about anywhere.
These activities are perfect for learning, laughing, and making new friends. Let’s jump in and get started!
🎉 Indoor Games (Perfect For The Classroom)
These games are great when you’re inside the classroom. You don’t need a lot of space or special tools.
Most use things already in your room – like paper, pencils, or your desk!
They help you learn and laugh with your classmates. Try them on rainy days or anytime you need some fun indoors.
Name That Classmate
Have students sit in a circle. The first student says their name and a favorite food (“I’m Sarah and I like strawberries!”). Then the next repeats it and adds their own. Keep going to build memory and laughs!
Everyone sits in a circle. The first student says their name and a food they like.
For example, “I’m Sarah and I like strawberries!” The next student repeats it and adds their own: “She’s Sarah and likes strawberries. I’m John and I like pizza!”
Keep going around the circle. Each person repeats all the names and foods before them.
This game helps you remember names. It’s also funny when someone forgets!
Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of classroom items (e.g. pencil sharpener, globe, dictionary) and send students in teams to find them. Bonus: Add riddles to make it an educational experience.
Split into small teams. Give each team a list of things to find in the classroom.
These can be items like a pencil sharpener, globe, or a blue marker. To make it more fun, write clues as riddles instead of simple words.
For example: “I help you see the world, but I’m not a window!” (Answer: globe).
This game helps you learn where things are in class. It’s a great way to explore!
Two Truths and a Lie
Each child says two true facts and one made-up one. Others guess which one’s the lie. Great for getting to know each other and sparking laughs.
Each person takes a turn. They say three things about themselves.
Two of them must be true. One should be made up.
Others in the group try to guess which one is the lie. This game is fun and surprising. You get to learn cool things about your classmates.
It’s also a great way to laugh and share stories. Just remember to make your lie tricky!
Give kids paper and let them draw something that represents their summer break or their dream school year. Then, they present to the class!
Give each student a blank sheet of paper and some crayons or markers.
Ask them to draw something about their summer break or what they hope for this school year. They can draw places, people, dreams – anything!
After drawing, students take turns sharing what they made. This activity lets you show your creative side.
Classroom Bingo
Create Bingo cards with fun prompts like “Has a pet,” “Loves pizza,” “Can whistle.” Students walk around asking each other questions to check off boxes.
Need to move around? These games are perfect for the playground or school yard!
Run, jump, toss, or tag – there’s something for everyone. You’ll have fun, get some fresh air, and build teamwork.
These games are awesome when you’ve been sitting too long and need to stretch your legs.
Team Relay Challenges
Set up a simple obstacle course or relay race with learning-based tasks (e.g. spell a word, solve a math problem) at each station.
Set up a relay race with fun learning tasks!
At each station, students might spell a word, solve a math problem, or answer a question.
Split the class into teams. One player from each team runs to a station, completes the task, and then runs back. The next person goes after that.
This game helps kids move, think, and work together. It’s exciting and good for both brain and body!
Find a Friend Who…
Give kids a list like “Find someone who has two siblings” or “Find someone who speaks another language.” Great for sparking conversation!
Give each student a list of fun prompts like “Find someone who has two siblings” or “Find someone who speaks another language.”
Students walk around the room and talk to classmates. If someone matches a prompt, they write that person’s name next to it. Try to fill the whole page!
This is a great way to meet new friends and learn cool facts about each other.
Vocabulary Hopscotch
Draw hopscotch with vocabulary words. Kids must say the word and use it in a sentence before hopping.
Draw a hopscotch board with chalk (outside) or tape (inside).
In each square, write a vocabulary word. When a student lands on a square, they must say the word and use it in a sentence before hopping again.
This game helps with word practice and movement. It’s fun, active, and helps you learn while you play!
Human Knot
Kids stand in a circle, grab random hands, and work together to untangle without letting go. Lots of laughs and teamwork!
Have the class stand in a big circle. Everyone closes their eyes and grabs two different hands from across the circle. Then, open your eyes.
Now work as a team to untangle the “knot” without letting go of hands. You’ll twist, turn, and laugh a lot!
This game builds teamwork, patience, and communication. It’s a little tricky – but super fun!
Math Toss
Write numbers on a beach ball. Toss it around – whoever catches it answers a math problem using two of the numbers their fingers land on.
Take a beach ball and write numbers all over it. Toss it around the class.
When a student catches it, look at the numbers under their thumbs or fingers. They have to make a math problem using those numbers.
For example, “8 + 6 = 14.” This game makes math fun and active.
You can use it for addition, subtraction, or even multiplication!
Nature Alphabet Hunt
Kids search the school yard for items that start with each letter of the alphabet. Great for younger students and early readers.
Go outside to the playground or school yard. Try to find something for each letter of the alphabet.
For example, “A” for ant, “B” for bark, “C” for cloud. You can do this in teams or alone.
Write down what you find or draw a quick picture. This game helps you notice the world around you.
Silent Line-Up
Line up by birthday, height, or name – with zero talking. Builds nonverbal communication and patience.
Your teacher gives a rule, like “Line up by birthday” or “Line up tallest to shortest.” But here’s the trick – you can’t talk!
You must use hand signs, pointing, or other nonverbal ways to figure it out. It takes teamwork, patience, and focus.
This game is fun and a little tricky. It shows how we can work together without speaking!
Story Tag
It’s like tag, but each person tagged has to add a sentence to an ongoing story. Keeps everyone thinking and moving.
One student starts running and says the first line of a story: “Once upon a time, a dragon lived in a tree.”
Then they tag someone else, who adds the next sentence. Keep tagging and building the story!
Everyone stays active while thinking fast. The story gets wild and funny. It’s a great mix of movement and imagination.
Partner Drawing
One student describes an image without naming it; the other draws it based on the description. Reveals just how tricky communication can be!
Students work in pairs.
One student looks at a picture but doesn’t show it. They describe it out loud: “It’s round, with pointy edges…” The other student listens and draws what they hear. No peeking!
After a few minutes, compare the drawings. Now itself I am getting laughter!
This game shows how important clear instructions are. It also teaches good listening and speaking skills.
Flashcard Dash
Place flashcards (math, vocab, etc.) across the field. Call a question and have kids race to the right card.
Spread flashcards across the field or gym. The cards can have math problems, vocabulary words, or pictures.
The teacher calls out a question like “What is 5 + 3?” or “Find the word that means ‘happy’!”
Students race to the right card and grab it. This game makes learning fast, active, and fun. It’s great for review or warm-ups!
🎲 Games That Work Anywhere
In the classroom, outside, or even online – these games go wherever you go!
They’re easy to set up and don’t need a lot of stuff. You can play them with small or big groups.
These are great “anytime” games for fun, learning, and getting to know each other better. Super flexible and always fun!
This or That
Call out pairs (Cats or Dogs, Books or Movies). Kids move to the side of the room that represents their answer. Then discuss why.
Stand in the middle of the room.
The teacher calls out two choices, like “Cats or Dogs?” or “Books or Movies?” If you like cats, go to one side. If you like dogs, go to the other!
After moving, a few students can share why they chose their side.
This game helps you think about your likes and see what your classmates enjoy too. It’s fun, fast, and helps everyone get to know each other.
Pictionary – Back to School Edition
Use school-themed prompts like “teacher,” “chalkboard,” or “lunchbox.” Great for all ages and even works virtually!
One student picks a school-themed word, like “teacher,” “backpack,” or “chalkboard.”
They draw it on the board or a piece of paper while the class guesses. No talking or writing letters – only pictures! You can play in teams or as a whole class.
This game is full of laughs and helps you think fast. You can even play it online with drawing tools!
Roll a Question
Assign a question to each number on a die. Kids roll, then answer: “What’s your favorite book?” “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Give each number on a dice a fun question.
For example: 1 = “What’s your favorite book?”, 2 = “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Students take turns rolling and answering the question they land on.
It’s a fun way to share, listen, and learn about each other. You can even make up your own questions!
Brain Break Charades
Perfect quick break game. Act out school-related activities or emotions like “recess,” “tired,” or “reading a fun book.”
This is a great quick break when kids need to move.
One student acts out something school-related – like “recess,” “reading,” or “feeling tired.” The others guess what it is! No words allowed, only movements.
It’s silly, fun, and gets your body moving. You’ll laugh while practicing thinking and teamwork too!
“Who Am I?” Sticky Note Game
Stick a card with a word (teacher, ruler, astronaut) on a child’s back. Others give clues, and they guess who they are!
Stick a card or sticky note on a student’s back.
It says something like “astronaut,” “pencil,” or “teacher.” The student asks the class yes-or-no questions to figure out what it says. Others can give clues too.
This game is great for guessing, laughing, and using your brain. Everyone gets a turn, and it’s always a blast!
Conclusion
Back to school doesn’t have to be all books and rules – games make it way more fun!
These back to school games for kids help you make friends, move around, and feel happy to be in class again.
Whether you’re laughing during charades, solving riddles in a scavenger hunt, or drawing silly pictures, there’s something for everyone.
Teachers can use these games to build a strong, friendly classroom. And students get to enjoy learning in a fun way.
So go ahead – pick your favorite game and get playing. It’s time to start the school year with energy, teamwork, and big smiles!
Engage With Us
We’d love to hear from you!
Which back to school game did your class enjoy the most? Do you have a fun activity we should add to the list?
Share your ideas, stories, or even photos of your classroom in action.
Let’s help other teachers, parents, and students make the first week of school extra special.
Drop a comment below or connect with us on social media. Learning is better when we do it together – so let’s keep the fun going! 🎒✨
