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How to Use Classroom Board Games for Kids to Keep Them Engaged

Classroom Board Games for Kids

Are you looking for some ideas to keep your students engaged? Incorporating games is a great way to help students review and put the knowledge they’ve been learning in your class to good use. One great option for an activity that kids will love is board games! There are many ways to use board games in the classroom. Many teachers take a regular board game and add an educational twist, but you can also access the many printable board games available as part of the subscription. One of our favorite classroom board games for kids is a phonics game called Race Track. Your students are sure to love this game!

How to Prep for Race Track

Our Race Track board game includes two versions: one for beginning sounds and one for digraphs. Choose which version you want to use with your students. (Or, choose them both and play it twice!)

This classroom board game is very low prep. Each version of the resource includes a game board, two spinner options, an answer sheet, and a set of game cards. To prep:

  • Print out your pages. You will need one answer sheet per student, and one game board, spinner, and set of cards for every two students.
  • Laminate the game board, spinner, and cards if desired.
  • Cut out the spinner and game cards.

That’s it! Some additional materials you will need to give each pair of students are:

  • One die (if using the blank spinner)
  • Two game pieces
  • A paperclip and pencil to use with the spinner

How to Play Race Car

Race Car is played with two players. Distribute to each pair of players two answer sheets (one per student), one game board, one set of cards, one spinner, one die (if applicable), and two game pieces.

  • Both players place their game piece on the start space.
  • Player 2 draws a card and reads the word on the card to Player 1.
  • Player 1 will write the word twice on their answer sheet, using the correct beginning sound or digraph and check to see if they got it right.
  • Player 1 will then use the spinner (and die, if applicable) to determine how many spaces they will move and which direction to go. To use the spinner, students will place the paperclip in the center of the spinner and hold it in place with the tip of the pencil. Students will flick the paperclip to spin.
  • Player 1 will move their game piece accordingly.
  • Repeat for Player 2. Students will continue taking turns until they reach the finish line.

This classroom board game is a great option anytime you need to keep your students engaged. You could use it at the end of a lesson to practice what students have just learned, or use it as a center for students to play during small groups. You could also allow students to pair up and play quietly after they have finished assessments, such as at the end of the year. The options are endless and sure to keep your kids having fun!

Let us know in the comments how you use classroom board games for kids.

Get Access To This Board Game And Many Others Now

This board game (along with many other activities and games) is available as part of your membership. If you aren’t a member, feel free to register now to get access to our vast library of resources ready and available for you to dive into.

 

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