5 Fun Games to Teach a Foreign Language to Large Groups of Kids

Looking for ideas to engage groups of 4-, 5-, or 6-year-old kids in learning English or another foreign language? It’s not always easy to grab their attention, especially in larger groups. But with educational games, learning becomes fun, interactive, and memorable.

At Kidioma, we’ve tested and approved these five games with our little learners. They’re educational, easy to set up, require little to no materials, and, most importantly, are fun for both kids and teachers! Discover our top 5 games to transform language learning into an exciting and effective experience.

1. The Fly Swatter Game: Learn Through Movement

What you’ll need:

- 5 to 10 laminated cards with vocabulary images (animals, colors, numbers, etc.)

- A fly swatter

How to play:

1. Place the cards around the room and name each one with the kids.

2. Divide the class into two teams. Kids line up in pairs behind a starting line.

3. At the signal, call out a word. The first two players race to swat the correct card. The fastest player earns a point for their team.

Tip: Rearrange the cards frequently to keep kids engaged and prevent them from simply memorizing positions.

2. The Modified Scarf Game: Speed and Vocabulary

What you’ll need:

- 5 to 10 laminated cards with vocabulary images

How to play:

1. Split the class into two teams and lay the cards in a line on the floor.

2. Have the kids repeat each word with the teacher before starting.

3. Call one child from each team and announce a word. The first to grab the correct card wins a point for their team.

Variation: Require the child to say the word before returning to their team to earn the point.

3. The Target Game: Precision and Vocabulary Recall

What you’ll need:

- Laminated cards with images or numbers

- A small plush toy or object to throw

How to play:

1. Arrange the cards in a line, with closer ones worth fewer points.

2. Each child throws the plush toy at a card, says the word associated with it, and earns points based on the card’s position.

3. Keep the turns moving quickly to maintain momentum.

Tip: Shuffle the cards regularly to ensure kids focus on the words rather than memorizing their placement.

4. Who’s the Odd One Out? A Collaborative Detective Game

What you’ll need:

- A small plush toy or object to hide

How to play:

1. Have the kids sit in a circle. One child leaves the room while the others choose an "odd" answer (e.g., a different color or age).

2. The returning child asks everyone the same question in the foreign language (e.g., "How old are you?") to identify the odd answer.

3. The child with the odd answer hides the plush toy.

Why it works: This game reinforces conversational phrases while building observation skills.

5. The Express Ball Game: Fun with Common Expressions

What you’ll need:

- A ball

How to play:

1. The kids form a circle. The first child says a phrase (e.g., "My name is Ana") while passing the ball to another child, who must respond or ask a question.

2. Set a timer: the goal is for everyone to participate before time runs out.

Variation: Add a challenge by requiring the child throwing the ball to name the next child or ask a new question.

Conclusion:

With these five games, teaching a foreign language becomes a joyful and engaging activity, even for large groups. At Kidioma, we understand the power of play in learning, and we’re constantly creating new activities to inspire children and make language learning fun.

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