Word for Word | Playpedia

top of page

Word for Word

TOF

Description

Students create as many smaller words as they can from a longer vocabulary word within a time limit.

Details

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Individual

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required

Tags

Creativity, Focused, Topic Specific

Instructions:

1. Write a long vocabulary word at the top of every sheet of paper (for example, "vocabulary").

2. Instruct each student to look at the word at the top of the sheet, and make a list of all of the words s/he can find within the long word.

For example:
a. Vocabulary
i. Ruby
ii. Cab
iii. Lava
iv. Car

3. If you have a timer, you can give students two minutes to come up with as many words as possible, and make the student who comes up with the most words the winner.

4. This game may also be played in partners or teams to make it easier. This way, students can also teach each other new words.

Variations & tips:

1. Let students race to reach a target word count, like “Find 15 words in under 2 minutes,” instead of competing for the most.

2. Turn it into a “Word Maze,” where students must connect their found words to form a logical sentence or mini-story.

Related Activities

Children Playing in Circle

Point to Point

TOF

Players run from one designated point to the other while the tagger tries to catch them before the rach the next point.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Mirror Me

TOF

A fun coordination exercise where one partner 'mirrors' the other's slow movements, eliciting a feeling of calm and fostering bonding.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Pairs

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Game

TOF

A calming mindfullness activity where students silently observe their surroundings using all five senses.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Silent Line-Up

TOF

A silent team-building challenge where students line-up based on categories like name, birthday, or height, using only gestures to communicate.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Breathe Like a Balloon

TOF

A calming breathing exercise where children imagine themselves as balloons, slowly inflating and deflating with each breath.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Less Than 10

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

The Story Circle

TOF

A collaborative storytelling game where children sit in a circle and take turns adding sentences to create a fun, imaginative group story.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Less Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Jump Like

TOF

A lively movement game where children act out different animals based on the teacher’s prompts.

1 - 6 years

More Than 10

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Body Part Freeze

TOF

A playful movement game where children walk around and freeze specific body parts on cue, and therefore developing body awareness.

1 - 6 years

More Than 10

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Funny Faces

TOF

A silly and engaging game where kids copy funny faces. This encourages self-expression, and shared laughter.

1 - 6 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Wiggle-Wiggle-Stop

TOF

A high-energy freeze game where kids wiggle on cue and freeze when told.

1 - 6 years

Pairs

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Marching Parade

TOF

A fun movement activity where children march in a parade line, following the cues given.

1 - 6 years

More Than 10

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Stretch and Yawn

TOF

A gentle stretching routine where children move and yawn like a lion.

1 - 6 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Quiet Animal

TOF

A quiet imaginative game where children pretend to be sleeping animals.

1 - 6 years

More Than 10

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Whisper Goodbye

TOF

A gentle closing ritual where children quietly whisper goodbye to each other, their teacher, or even the space - practicing gratitude.

1 - 6 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Magic Bubble Breaths

TOF

A simple breathing exercise where children imagine blowing big bubbles as they inhale and exhale slowly.

1 - 6 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Teddy Bear Sleep

TOF

A peaceful wind-down activity where children lie down like sleeping teddy bears while the teacher softly counts down.

1 - 6 years

More Than 10

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Bholu Says

TOF

A classic listening game where children follow only the commands that begin with “Bholu says”.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Popcorn

TOF

A fun, energetic game where children crouch like popcorn kernels and jump up when the teacher says “Pop!”

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Shake It Out

TOF

A high-energy movement game where kids shake their limbs in a countdown pattern.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Number Corners

TOF

A fast-paced movement game where children run, skip, or hop to numbered corners based on the teacher’s call.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Statue Dance

TOF

A lively freeze dance game where kids groove to music and freeze in fun poses when it stops.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Pass the Squeeze

TOF

A simple circle game where children pass a hand squeeze around to promote connection, focus, and teamwork.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Deep Breathe Countdown

TOF

A simple group breathing exercise using countdown.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

One Word Reflection

TOF

A group reflection where each child shares one word about how they feel while the others listen quietly and respectfully.

7 - 10 years, Mixed Age, 11 - 19 years, Adults, 1 - 6 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Silent Star

TOF

A simple grounding activity where children hold a star-shaped pose in silence and end with a deep breath.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Gratitude Circle

TOF

A circle-sharing activity where each child names something they enjoyed.

7 - 10 years, Mixed Age, 11 - 19 years, Adults

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Zip Zap Zop

TOF

A fast-paced circle game where players pass the sequence “Zip,” “Zap,” and “Zop”

11 - 19 years, Adults

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

One Minute Moves

TOF

A quick energizer where students follow the lead and perform simple movements like jumping or squatting for short bursts.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Name & Action

TOF

Each student says their name with a gesture or movement, which the group then repeats together.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years, Adults

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Mirror Speed Challenge

TOF

One student mirrors the other's movements.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Pairs

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Would you rather- Move edition

TOF

Students choose between two options and move to the side that represents their choice.

11 - 19 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

3-2-1 Cool Down

TOF

A wind-down activity involving breathing, stretches and ending with a smile.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Appreciation Circle

TOF

Circle-sharing where students take turns saying something kind about the session or someone.

11 - 19 years, Adults

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Mindful Minute

TOF

Children sit quietly, close their eyes, and focus on their breath for one minute.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Silent Clap

TOF

The group must try to clap in unison without speaking or counting aloud.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Emotion Check-In

TOF

Students show a quick thumbs up/side/down or facial expression to check in emotionally.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Clap on One and Two, but not Three!

Jamshed, Saurabh

A fun way to get students' attention by having them clap only on one and two.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Raise your hand

TOF

The teacher raises a hand, and students copy to show they are quiet and ready to listen.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Tap, Clap, Snap

TOF

A fun movement game where students follow physical and vocal cues that gradually decrease in volume.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Countdown

TOF

The teacher uses a verbal countdown from 10 to 0 to signal students to quiet down and prepare to listen.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Attention with Music

TOF

An engaging routine using instruments and rhythmic body movements.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Hello Neighbour

TOF

A fun song where students greet each other with actions like waving, clapping, and jumping to start the day

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Math Twister Function

TOF

A colorful, Twister-style game where players solve math problems and touch the correct number with a called-out body part.

7 - 10 years

Pairs

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Fly Swatter

TOF

A fast-paced, interactive math game where students race to solve equations and tap the correct answer on the wall to earn points for their team.

7 - 10 years

More Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Time of Day

TOF

A time-telling game where students use their arms to form the hands of a clock based on the time the leader calls out.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Sudoku

TOF

A logic puzzle where students fill in missing numbers 1–4, making sure no number repeats in any row, column, diagonal, or box.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Individual

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

How Many Ways to Make Up a Number

TOF

A fast-paced math game where players write as many equations as possible to make a drawn number—all in 45 seconds!

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Less Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Ken Ken

TOF

Fill a grid with numbers so that each row and column has no repeats, and each cage satisfies a target number using math operations.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Individual

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Mad Libs

TOF

Match colored word cards to sentence blanks based on word types (like nouns, verbs, adjectives) to create fun and meaningful sentences.

11 - 19 years

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Fish Me a Word

TOF

A hands-on vocabulary game where students "fish" for the correct word using magnet-tipped rods.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Less Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Word/Image Match

TOF

This group game helps students learn about asking questions in English, strengthens their critical thinking as they guess what their words/pictures are, and helps them learn to read vocabulary words quickly as they answer questions about other students' words.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years, Adults

More Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Telephone Charades

TOF

Students silently act out a vocabulary word down a line like a game of "vocabulary telephone," and the last student guesses the word.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Less Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Story Symphony

TOF

A collaborative storytelling game where students build a spontaneous story one sentence at a time.

11 - 19 years

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Atlas

TOF

Students take turns naming countries where each new country must start with the last letter of the previous one.

11 - 19 years

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Hot Seat

TOF

In pairs, students describe or act out a secret word on the board while their partner tries to guess it without seeing the word.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Pairs

Flexible Duration

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Words to Sentences

TOF

Students create silly or creative sentences using unrelated vocabulary words written on the board.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Adverb Charades

TOF

A lively charades game where participants "act out" adverbs, and teams guess the adverb being portrayed.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Two Truths and One Lie

TOF

Students share two truths and one lie about themselves, and classmates guess which statement is the lie.

11 - 19 years, Mixed Age

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Story Generator

TOF

Students create drawings, then work in teams to build and tell a story using those drawings as plot points.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Sentence Kabaddi

TOF

Students race to reconstruct cut-up English sentences while chanting “kabaddi,” combining physical movement with sentence building.

11 - 19 years

Less Than 10

Flexible Duration

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Student Bingo

TOF

Student Bingo is a fun ice-breaker which helps students start fun English conversations, and also lets them learn new things about each other.

Mixed Age

More Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Word for Word

TOF

Students create as many smaller words as they can from a longer vocabulary word within a time limit.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Individual

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Cha-Cha Slide

TOF

A fun, energetic group dance where students follow step-by-step dance instructions from the song Cha Cha Slide. It builds on listening skills and bodily awareness.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Clapping Game

TOF

This circle game challenges students to invent, remember, and reproduce a series of clapping rhythms in correct sequence.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Less Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Repeat After Me

TOF

This game will help inspire children to learn how singers sing their notes using different patterns and rhythms. It will also help them understand the importance of the different kinds of sounds we hear on a day-to-day basis.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

More Than 10

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Run for the Note

TOF

In this energetic game, students combine note-reading skills with quick movement to hit targets on a music scale.

7 - 10 years

Individual

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Macarena

TOF

A high-energy, repetitive dance routine that teaches rhythm, body coordination, and memory.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Stomping the Feet to the Beat

TOF

Students listen carefully and repeat stomp patterns that get harder each time.

1 - 6 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Follow Me on Time

TOF

A fun rhythm relay where a clap pattern travels down the line, challenging focus and memory with each new round.

1 - 6 years, Mixed Age

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Twinkle-Twinkle

TOF

Move and groove freely to the beat of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for a playful rhythm break.

1 - 6 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Mary Had a Little Lamb

TOF

Enjoy a fun and free dance session while moving to the beat of Mary Had a Little Lamb.

1 - 6 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Scribble Art

TOF

This creative drawing game encourages students to start with random scribbles, then find and fill in blank spaces with colors.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Name Activity

TOF

Create a colorful mosaic of your name by arranging and gluing cut-out paper squares onto a blank sheet.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Individual

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Weaving Rainbow Fish

TOF

Craft a colorful fish by weaving strips of paper through a folded cardstock cut-out, blending creativity with fine motor fun.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Individual

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Roll-A-Face Game

TOF

A creative dice-rolling drawing game where each dice throw reveals a new part of a picture to draw, leading to a fun and often surprising final creation.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years, Adults

Individual

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Exquisite Character Drawings

TOF

A collaborative drawing game where two people each draw half of an image, creating a surprising/funny final picture.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years, Adults

Pairs

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

What would you do?

TOF

Children explore different social situations by acting out or discussing how they would respond, building empathy and problem-solving skills.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Four corners- ethics

TOF

Present a scenario with multiple options and have children move to the corner that matches their choice, encouraging movement and decision-making.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Money-necessity vs Toy

TOF

A playful role-playing activity where children use pretend rupee notes to “buy” items, helping them practice social skills and basic money concepts.

7 - 10 years

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Ensemble Ball

TOF

A memory and name game where players toss a ball while calling out names, building focus and social connection.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Classroom Compliments

TOF

A reflective circle-time activity where each individual gives a compliment or thanks the person to their left for something they did that day.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

All Aboard

TOF

Players cooperate to stay inside a shrinking rope circle, testing teamwork, balance, and communication.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Medusa

TOF

A fast-paced eye-contact game where players avoid mutual glances to stay in and build focus and social awareness.

Mixed Age

Less Than 10

Flexible Duration

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

The Hula Castle

TOF

Teams race through stacked hula hoop “castles” without touching them.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

More Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Human Chain Hula Hoop

Maria

Teams must pass one hula hoop through their entire team as quickly as possible without breaking their human chain.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Wink and Sleep

Maria

Players sit in a circle where one member secretly winks to “put others to sleep,” and the group tries to identify the winker before everyone falls asleep.

11 - 19 years, Adults

Less Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Animal Actions

Gayathri

Players take turns acting like different animals while others guess what they are.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Chinese Whisper

TOF

A fun telephone-style game where students pass a message or action down a line to test how well they can communicate and remember!

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Emotion Check

TOF

A quick check-in activity where students show their interest in studying by holding up fingers (0–10) or stretching their arms to express excitement levels.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Greeting of the day

TOF

A movement-based activity where students greet each other using playful and creative gestures shown on posters.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Making Groups

TOF

A dynamic grouping activity where students form teams based on shapes, preferences, or categories like days, months, or numbers to encourage movement and interaction.

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

More Than 10

5 to 10 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Pass the ball

TOF

A dynamic classroom game where students answer questions by passing a ball to encourage participation and quick thinking.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Draw the answer

TOF

Students draw their answers to a question and share their thinking visually.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

Materials required

Children Playing in Circle

Act It Out

TOF

Students use movement and role-play to act out their answers to a question.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Using Fingers

TOF

A quick, non-verbal way for students to respond to questions using thumbs or fingers.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Troubleshoot it

TOF

A fun challenge where students correct the teacher’s wrong answer to earn points.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Clapping Rhythm

TOF

Teacher performs clapping or actions and students repeat to build listening and coordination skills.

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Attention-Getter: Waterfall

TOF

A quick and calming attention-getter where the teacher says “waterfall, waterfall” and students respond with “shhh”.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Attention-Getter: Hi Hello

TOF

Teacher says one word and students respond with its paired word.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Children Playing in Circle

Attention-Getter: Vada Pav

TOF

Teacher says one word and students respond with its paired word.

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials

Take it further!

Looking for the right activity?

Browse activities, filter by your needs, and discover inspiring ways to bring play into classrooms, workshops, communities, homes, and workplaces.

Have a playful idea that works?

You can also contribute your own ideas and help grow a community that believes in the power of play for joy, learning and connection.

bottom of page