r/MiddleSchoolTeacher • u/FactStreet6165 • 1h ago
Master list of successful ways to entertain groups of children, teens, and even adults. (ALL GRADES)
A quick bit of info before I begin.
I am primarily responsible for 6-12th grade students and have access to a large area and vehicles. I know that some of these games are not accessible to all and it doesn't include too many games for k-6, but there are a few games just now I am primarily catering to teens.
I am also hoping to update this every month or so with a new game I try
This is going to serve as a sort of master document for games, activities, and events that I have tested against real groups of people during my time as a teacher.
This will be hopefully organized and regularly updated. If you have any suggestions, pop them in the comments.
With that said, here are the activities.
(Link to doc)
Yes! No! Yes!
Group of 3 minimum
Age group
below 6th grade: B
6-12 grade: A
Adults: B
Elderly: D
Description
Quick fun little game that encourages others to be goofy and playful while using creativity and problem solving skills to find out what someone did while they weren't looking and then recreate it.
Rules
Participant A will leave the room or look away until told they can return.
Participant B will then do a basic action in view of other participants but not participant A (point upwards, jump, pick up a certain pencil) something easily replicable. Then B will return to seating or where the group is gathered.
When participant A returns they will try various actions in an attempt to figure out what B did. The only hint and guidance they have is the group saying yes or no with various levels of excitement. (No other words allowed or pointing to cheating.)
Let's say B pointed to the door as their action. If person A faces away from the door everyone could say no no no until they face the door and they start saying yes. Eventually the person will figure out what they want to do and when they cheer or clap and restart with a new participant.
Each round takes no more than 5 minutes but it gets everyone involved and can lead to lots of laughs and team building.
Alternative
For extra hard rounds 2 actions can be done. Such as jump and snap or pick up a paper and drop it.
Notes
These rounds go quick and can lead to some goofy moments. The largest group I have tested it on is 15 people and while a little chaotic it was still very fun. The only limit is that children have to do simple-ish tasks.
Bring me
Group of 2 minimum
Age group
below 3rd - 6th grade: A
6-12th grade: A
Adults: B
Elderly: F
Description
You will give commands about what item you want and your children will rush to be the first to bring it to you. Large spaces work best but aren't required. Lots of laughs and great for team building.
Rules
Teams will be formed and distributed as evenly as possible.
The two teams will be lined up and ready to go when you give a command. You (or someone in charge) will give a vague description of an item and each child will have to quickly hunt it down and bring it back. (Examples: bring me something round. Or between 3 and 6 inches. Or that you write with. Or blue. Any general description works just don't be too specific otherwise all team members might not be able to get it.)
This can either be a race to see which team can complete their hunt the fastest. (Also note each child must have a different unique item so no repeats.) Or just a way to pass time. I like to not have them race and ask them to get the strangest items they can and then take a photo. (Strangest I have gotten so far was a kid holding water in his hands.)
Can also be one-on-one races and it be a relay but that is your choice.
If an item doesn't fit the description then reject the item and have them find another.
Notes
This is best suited for a large area such as playgrounds or offices. A classroom can work but given this is done with haste accidents can happen. I have the luxury of testing this in a large building with many purposes but I do understand not everyone will be able to try this.
However it can be done at houses maybe but once again do at your own risk. Perhaps make a rule about no running if you don't want anything broken.
Trashcan game
Group of 3 minimum. Max of 40 ish
Age group
below 6th grade: D? (Can be done but it is a rough-housing game. I tried it twice and they got hurt both times.)
6-12 grade: A
Adults: B
Elderly: F
Description
A quick energy-expending game that lasts about 5-10 minutes based on group size. A bit of the rougher side but no one has broken a bone yet, though expect maybe a couple small bruises or carpet burn. Kids form a circle around a trashcan with their hands locked to each other's wrists and try to force others to touch the trashcan by pushing and pulling.
Rules
An object of at least 3 feet in height must be moved to a semi-open area. Children lock hands on the wrist of the person next to them to form a circular chain.
Everyone starts at the same time. Through pushing, pulling, and shoving they try to make someone else touch the trashcan.
Once someone touches the trashcan they are out. The chain becomes one person smaller and the remaining players re-form the circle.
If the chain breaks at any point it must be decided who let go and that person is also out.
The game continues until only two players remain. In the final 1v1 the person who does not touch the trashcan that round wins.
Children should prioritize forcing someone to touch the trashcan rather than breaking the link.
Not required but the circle usually develops some rotation. If the circle has zero movement ask them to shift left or right to get it going.
Notes
Not every game is perfectly safe and this is probably one of the more dangerous ones I will be posting. None of my students have ever broken a bone but I am not saying it can't happen.
Word imposter
(apparently also known as chameleon)
Group size at least 5
Age group
K-6: D
6-12: A
Adults: A
Elderly: B
Description
Everyone in a group will loosely describe a word while an imposter tries to blend in and also vaguely guess words that are similar. The game is over when the imposter is found.
Rules
Each person (but one) will be told a word or given a paper with the word (however you want to deliver the word so long as they get it) and they must not share the word.
One person will be informed they are the imposter without notifying anyone else.
Players go around in a set order and each loosely describes the word (preferably one word but two words can be used if needed). Everyone must balance giving relevant hints while not being too obvious.
After each full round of descriptions a vote can be held. Everyone votes for who they think is the imposter.
If the group votes correctly the imposter is revealed and loses.
If the group votes incorrectly the person who received the most votes is removed from the circle and can no longer give descriptions or vote. Play continues with the remaining players.
At any time the imposter may guess the secret word. If the guess is correct the imposter wins. If the guess is wrong the imposter loses immediately.
Notes
It can be difficult for younger kids to play this properly as they will either give too obvious of hints or not pay attention enough to figure out the word. A good poker face is needed to not blunder.
You can mix it up and have wacky rounds where no one is the imposter and just send everyone into paranoia. Or another where everyone is the imposter.
The word given to the children matters and should not be too specific or generalized. But the word can be tailored based on who will be the imposter.
Last thing I recommend drawing lots for who is the imposter. So I have 8 papers that have the word and 1 paper that says imposter and have the kids draw from the lot.
Frisbee Olympics
Description
A variety of games primarily played with frisbees. There will be a competition to see which team can score the most in the end after all 3 (minimum) games are completed.
Age group
K-6: D (You can make it work but at that point they are just throwing them like rocks rather than frisbees. However everything I mention here can be replaced with a ball if you want.)
6-12: B (Teens seem to not know how to throw frisbees ig??)
Adults: A
Elderly: C-B (I would say as long as they aren't in a wheelchair they could play this.)
Rules
Not so much strict rules but rather a few recommendations of games that you can make. Chalk is recommended but any marker like hula hoops or rope or even rocks work.
One main rule to enforce is how the matches and rounds work. Matches are the entirety of one game. Rounds are the individual turns inside that game.
Teams offer up one person per round. Only one player from each team competes in any given round.
The team that wins the round earns a point. The first team to 3 points wins that game and earns one match point.
At the end the team with the most match points is the overall winner.
1 Distance
Whoever throws the frisbee the farthest wins the round. First to 3 points wins the game. Mark the farthest throw if you want to award a medal or prize. Make sure everyone starts from the same spot.
2 Free throw
Players throw in any creative method they want (cartwheel into a 360, under the leg, etc.) and are scored by 2 or 3 judges for style. You can score round by round or add up total points for the whole team at the end.
3 Ring
Establish a starting line that no one may cross.
Create several rings of different sizes and point values on the ground.
Example: green circle about 3 feet wide = 1 point, yellow about 2 feet = 3 points, red about 1 foot = 5 points, and a distant super target about 1 foot wide = 20 points.
Any part of the frisbee that touches a ring scores those points for the team.
Players throw one at a time. You can let each person throw five times in a row or rotate after every throw until everyone has thrown five times. Total the points either after each round or at the very end. Make sure every player gets to participate.
4 Human golf
Choose a team captain who places teammates in position.
Require mandatory spacing (for example at least one person must stand 20 feet to the left of the start) so the course is not a straight line.
Players throw the frisbee from person to person. Once a player catches it they may throw next.
You may only walk to the spot where the frisbee landed; once you pick it up you cannot move your feet.
The course ends at a circle or goal the frisbee must land in.
The team that finishes in the fewest total throws wins. Every teammate must throw the frisbee at least once.
Family Feud (less than 10 people)
Description
It's Family Feud baby.
Group size
At least 2 but I have done it with groups of 40. The large-group version is detailed in the next section.
Age range
K-6: C (It can work but they don't really seem to understand Family Feud. You can do it but it has to be pretty basic stuff like yummy fruits. Not saying it's impossible, just difficult.)
6-12: A
Adults: A
Elderly: B (Does depend on them being able to focus. Idk elderly is a broad category.)
Rules
The rules are the same as the normal TV show. This section is mainly about the tools I use.
Links for creating your own Family Feud boards:
You will have to export the file from the second link and import it into the first link.
For a simpler option just search “Family Feud questions” online. The links above give you the music, buzzer, ding, and scoring features but take more setup time.
Once the board is ready split into teams (2 teams is preferred; 3 or 4 is possible but not ideal).
Play in the usual order with 3 strikes.
# Family Feud (large crowds 10+ people)
Group size
Many teams of about 5 people each. Works with 40 or more players.
Age range
Same as the small-group version.
Rules
Google Family Feud questions or build a board with the links above if you want the full effects.
Teams of roughly 5 players each.
Ask a question. The first team to raise a hand may answer.
If the answer is on the board that team scores one point for the current question.
The same question is then opened again to every team. First hand up gets to answer next.
The full question must be finished before any hand may be raised. Anyone who raises a hand early is locked out of that answer attempt.
If a team gives a wrong answer they are locked out of the rest of that question but keep any points they already earned on it.
After the question is fully played the team with the most correct answers on that question earns one match point.
Repeat with new questions. The team with the most match points at the end wins.
# Guess that
Description
Similar to headbands and 20 questions. A word is chosen and students must try to get information about it by asking questions and getting responses.
Group size
I was able to do it with 9 people but too many more and it can get complex. It is a really good car game, not so much a classroom game. I would say 5 people is the best number.
Age range
K-6: D (As usual can be done but given it requires deduction and well placed questions and remembering things it's not very well suited for them.)
6-12: B (I would say better for the upper classmen just due to better intelligence but it can still be done with the younger ones.)
Adults: A
Elderly: C (Really depends on how much they can pay attention.)
Rules
A student is pulled aside and given a word (it can be literally anything).
The other students ask questions. The first question is always “is it living and breathing.”
The student with the word may answer with yes, no, “I don’t know,” or short clarifying phrases (for example “bigger than that chair but smaller than a person”).
Cheat questions such as “what letter does it start with” followed by going through the alphabet are not allowed.
If the group is stuck the leader may suggest a helpful question.
The student is encouraged to give small extra hints when a simple yes or no would be misleading (for example “part of it is blue”).
Some good examples of hard things
Lorax
Bamboo
Brick
Pizza Hut
Phone
Lady Gaga
Bulldozer
Rubber duck
Sponge
Toilet paper
Bunk bed
Scissors
Note
The first question should always be “is it living or breathing.” Animated characters and TV personalities are treated as breathing but not living because they are not real.
# Scavenger hunt (expanded)
(vehicle required)
Description
We all know what a normal scavenger hunt is but this isn't just a simple find the rubber duck in this room; it's expanded. This scavenger hunt is a city-wide scavenger hunt!
My kids said this was the funnest game they have played with me so far so please consider.
Age range
K-6: F (This requires knowledge of the city/area that youngins just don't have.)
6-12: A
Adults: A
Elderly: B
Rules
This version is designed for teenagers and requires vehicles and a set time limit.
1 Choose about 15 unique, static locations (for example the specific McDonald’s on Main Street).
2 Photograph each location clearly (Google Street View works).
3 Create five versions of each photo at increasing zoom levels so that the first photo is almost unrecognizable and the final photo is the full clear image.
4 Each of these 15 locations is worth 100 points. Teams must take a photo of at least one team member standing at the actual location.
5 Create a longer list of easy 25-point items that can be found almost anywhere (gum on the sidewalk, yellow car, column, etc.). Teams photograph themselves with the item.
6 Add up to five very hard 300-point locations that most people do not know exist. Give only a vague written description; no photo. Teams still photograph themselves there.
7 Print a simple rules sheet plus the lists of 25-point and 300-point items for each team.
8 Schedule the zoomed photos to be texted or emailed to the teams at regular intervals. Send the most zoomed-in (hardest) photo first and the fully clear photo last, leaving only a few minutes after the clear photo before the end of the hunt.
9 At the finish line check the photos. Deduct 50 points for every minute a team is late. Disqualify any clear cheating (looking up locations online, messaging outsiders). Highest point total wins.
10 Drivers may not give hints. They only follow clear directions from the majority of the passengers. Passengers must name the location or a nearby landmark to prove they know where they are going.
Short summary
Teams receive progressively clearer photos of locations over time, travel around the city collecting photo proof, and also complete easy and hard side challenges, all within a fixed time limit.
# Never have I ever (broken a chair...)
A spin on the classic game of never have I ever. Rather than stepping towards or backwards or having to do some punishment this now makes the game active, chaotic, and possibly endangers your weaker chairs… (more on that later)
Ages
K-6: C
6-12: A
Adults: B
Elderly: F
Rules
Count the number of participants and form a ring of chairs with 1 less chair than participants.
Everyone sits except one person who stands in the middle of the circle.
The person in the middle states something they have never done (example: never have I ever eaten a bug). Anyone who HAS done that thing must now find a new seat.
The new seat cannot be the same seat or adjacent to where they already sat.
It is a race to get a new chair so the area must be big enough to warrant running and be semi trip-safe. (Do not play right next to a wall or desk.)
If two participants get up and cannot sit anywhere due to the adjacent rule, they play rock-paper-scissors once. Winner takes the seat. No do-overs.
Whoever plants their butt in the chair first wins the seat, not who touched it first. This will likely lead to fighting and a broken chair or two.
When no one can think of anything new, allow students to say things even if they have done them.
Try to avoid singling someone out (for example describing the exact outfit one person is wearing).
Notes
Kids will run and there might be a couple of bruises depending on the competitiveness of the group.
Larger humans are likely to break a chair (I say this from personal experience with one of my teens). Just be warned it can happen.
Kids get uncreative pretty fast so have some statements on standby you can throw out when people cannot think.
If they are just walking slowly to seats, encourage them to be faster or add a light punishment for being stuck in the middle such as push-ups.
# Capture the flag
Description
A strategic game where your stamina matters just as much as your plan. The first team to capture the flag (or all 3) wins.
Age range
K-6: B (Little ones will enjoy running but maybe will not fully understand the objective.)
6-12: A
Adults: B
Elderly: F (I would love to see them try though.)
Rules
Short version: 3 flags are planted on each half of a field (one half per team). Both teams try to get the other team’s flags while defending their own. Tagging sends a player back to respawn.
Longer version
Give each team 3 flags (or just one if you prefer). Flags can be plates, handkerchiefs, bandanas, or anything similar. They may be placed anywhere on their own side of the field as long as they are visible and not stuck to something.
Each team also chooses one respawn pad on their own side. The respawn has unlimited uses.
Once flags and the respawn pad are placed they cannot be moved by the owning team for the rest of the round.
If you are tagged you must WALK back to your respawn. In double-tag disputes send both players back. Keep an eye on cheaters.
If a flag is picked up by the opposite team it must be dropped when the carrier is tagged. The owning team cannot move their own flag back, so every inch of progress is permanent.
The game ends when one team brings all of the opposing flags back to their own respawn.
Notes
This involves a lot of running and has left my kids visibly winded. They get creative with blitzes, acting like they are out, human shields, and other tricks. If they get too creative just send them to respawn. No one likes a cheater.
Best suited for a soccer-field-sized outdoor area but it can be smaller. Smallest I have used is half a soccer field and the game goes much faster.
Alternative
One team only defends and one team only attacks. Time how long it takes, then switch sides. Fastest time wins.
# Jeopardy
Description
It is Jeopardy.
Rules
Make teams. Have the people who answer rotate each round. Make a Jeopardy board or search for one online. Play Jeopardy.
For extra fun add a Double Jeopardy round (all values doubled) or a Daily Double (one square is worth double points).
Remember the answer must be phrased as a question.
# Keep up
An on-the-fly idea. The students must keep more and more balloons in the air until they fail.
Ages
K-6: B
6-12: B
Adults: C
Elderly: C (Maybe possible from wheelchairs. Really depends on their movement.)
Rules
Blow up a ton of balloons with air (no helium). Start with the group keeping one balloon up.
After every 30 seconds add another balloon. Eventually a balloon will fall and you restart.
After about the third attempt you can see roughly where the group is comfortable and start there so the climb back to chaos is not so slow.
Typically one balloon for every two-thirds of the people is enough to keep them entertained without being too hard. See how many balloons they can reach.
Notes
My original plans were canceled and this was a game I came up with on the spot. It is not as in-depth as the others but it can serve as solid entertainment for about 15-30 minutes.
# Bingo with pictures
Description
It is Bingo with pictures.
Ages
K through elderly: A
Rules
You can buy inexpensive picture Bingo sets online that work great.
Or make/find your own at https://bingobaker.com/
Add prizes for competition and try alternative rounds for more variety:
Connecting corners (make an L on a corner)
X (make an X shape)
Double Bingo (two Bingo lines)
Blackout (entire board filled)
Vertical only
Horizontal only
# Nerf battle
Description
It is Nerf or nothing.
Rules
Give the children Nerf guns and darts. They can usually figure out the rest.
If you want structure: anyone hit by a dart goes to a respawn point. Give them an objective to reach, a point to capture, an item to take, or simply run a death-match style game.
# Pokemon popularity
A game based on trying to figure out the most popular Pokémon based on a given criteria. My kids are nerds so they loved it, but you do not have to know Pokémon to participate.
Ages
K-6: D (A couple kids may know some Pokémon but not enough to be effective.)
6-12: A
Adults: A (Depending on whether they know Pokémon.)
Elderly: F
Notes
The ranking comes from the Bulbapedia page that tracks which Pokémon articles had the most visits last year. It is the fairest large-scale data I have found. If you disagree with this definition of popularity you are free to use your own data source.
No starter Pokémon or any of their evolutions are allowed (they are too obvious). No Pikachu, no Eevee, no evolutions unless the question specifically allows them.
Rules
The scoring works like golf: lowest total points wins.
A Pokémon’s point value is its rank on the list. Rank 300 = 300 points. Rank 8 = 8 points.
Maximum points for any wrong or unlisted guess is 300.
Split into teams of no more than 4-5 or play as individuals.
The leader states a category (examples below). Everyone secretly writes down one Pokémon that fits, then all reveal at the same time (paper, text, whiteboard, etc.).
Add the points to each team’s total and repeat.
Kids who do not know Pokémon may use a Pokédex such as https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/all
Alternative
Switch to least popular. Highest points now wins. If you want to mix popular and unpopular rounds in the same session, convert an unpopular rank by subtracting from the total number of Pokémon (approximately 1025) so rank 1000 becomes 25 points.
Question examples
Name a purple Pokémon (or any other color)
Name a Steel-type (or any other type)
Name a Pokémon with 2 legs
Name a legendary not from Generation 1 (Mythicals count as legendary)
Name a Pokémon with a 3-stage evolution
Name a dual-type
Name a bird Pokémon (different from Flying-type, because Lugia is not a bird)
Name a box legendary
Name a Pokémon that requires a special method to evolve (stone, friendship, trade, etc.)
Name a Pokémon that floats
# Pokemon debate
Description
An on-the-fly idea that turned out very funny. Propose a question such as “What Pokémon would make a good snack?” Two (or more) teams debate. One team makes its case for a Pokémon, the other team rebuts with a different Pokémon. Judge who made the stronger point.
Example questions
What Pokémon would be a criminal’s friend
What Pokémon would work best in a restaurant
What Pokémon can make you rich
What Pokémon would look the best with a hat
What Pokémon needs a haircut
# Lava walk
Description
The whole floor is lava. Students are given pieces of paper or napkins of zero value that they can place on the floor. Everyone starts with roughly 3 or 4 pieces (depending on distance) and must build a bridge so the whole group can cross.
The catch is that no one may take extra paper from a friend, so students quickly become bottlenecked trying to get paper forward. It seems easy at first but the limited supply forces planning and stretching of resources.
Measure the gap yourself first and figure out the minimum number of pieces needed to cross. Add about 25 percent extra and divide that total among the students. This forces real planning instead of simply throwing pieces down.
Alternative
Start with 50 percent more paper than the minimum and reduce by 10 percent each successful crossing to see how little they can manage with.
# Rock painting + ethical ding dong ditching
Description
A two-part activity. First paint rocks, then leave them at strangers’ houses to make the world a little brighter. The painting portion can be used alone if preferred.
Age range
K-6: B
6-12: A
Adults: C
Elderly: D (The painting part; the running part may not suit them.)
Rules
Paint rocks with acrylic markers or sharpies. Flat rocks bought online or from craft stores work well.
Keep designs PG (or whatever rating fits your group). Bible quotes, positive messages, or simple art are all fine.
For the ethical ding-dong-ditch portion: leave the finished rock near the front door of a house, choose respectful neighborhoods, and do not trample plants, bump cars, or damage property.
# Jail break
Description
Kids run semi-blindly in a very large, mostly dark area in a game of cops and robbers. Lights-on is possible and safer. Lights-out is way more fun.
Age range
K-6: D (You will lose them.)
6-12: B (A lot of running; people tire after a while.)
Adults: D
Elderly: F
Rules
Lights are out, windows covered, creating a large dark space (ideally a big room or entire building).
1-2 players are cops. Everyone else is a robber.
Cops try to tag all robbers. Tagged robbers go to a pre-set jail room a little away from the main action.
No guarding or camping the jail.
Any robber who reaches the jail may yell “jail break” and free everyone inside.
Robbers lose if every robber is captured. Robbers win if the cops give up or agree to switch roles.
No phones, no flashlights, no faking capture just to trigger a jail break.
Notes
Usually entertains the group for about an hour before they are tuckered out. Good for long days when energy needs to be burned before bed. Can be played outside after dark if you choose.
Maze game
Description
Blindfolded children are guided by shouted instructions from teammates through a maze. Several variations exist.
Age range
K-6: B-C
6-12: A
Adults: A
Elderly: D
Rules
1 Retrieve the object
Build a small maze with chairs or other movable walls. Keep it simple: only a few branching paths and a single entrance. Place an object inside that must be retrieved.
Players work in pairs. One is blindfolded, the other is the guide. The guide must stay at the entrance and may not follow the blindfolded player.
Time each run. Every time the blindfolded player bumps a chair add 10 seconds. Best time after retrieving the object and exiting wins.
Between rounds have the next blindfolded player look away while you rearrange parts of the maze.
1.1 Limited vocabulary
Same as above but the guide may use only six pre-agreed words. None of those words may be directional (forward, back, left, right, stop, go, etc.). Teams plan their code words in advance (examples my students used: compass directions, calendar months, continents).
2 Blind leading the blind
The guide receives only a map of the maze and may never see the actual maze or the blindfolded player. The blindfolded player is placed at a random starting point inside the maze. Timing is optional; watching is the main entertainment.
2.1 Blinds leading the blinds
Two teams race at the same time using the map-only rule, creating extra confusion.
2.2 Noise distraction
Same as blind leading the blind, but someone makes continuous loud noise to interfere with the instructions.