Top 5 ESL Warmer, Cooler and Filler Games

Check Out Some Great Filler Games
For Your Classroom

Below are some of our favourites!

1. Buzz, Whiz, Bang

Format: Circle, Line

Age Group: 7+

Ask the children to stand in a line or a circle and tell them that they are going to count to 20.

Firstly however each number divisible by 3 is substituted with the word BUZZ.

1,2, BUZZ, 4, 5, BUZZ etc.

Once the children have got the hang of it, it’s time to add WHIZ to each number divisible by 5

1, 2, BUZZ, 4, WHIZ, BUZZ, 7 etc.

Lastly each number divisible by 7 becomes BANG.

1, 2, BUZZ, 4, WHIZ, BUZZ, BANG, 8, WHIZZ, BUZZ, 11, WHIZZ, 13 etc.

The game can be played so that each time a child makes a mistake, they sit down and the game starts again from 1. The last player standing is the winner.

2. One Number At A Time

Format: Classroom
Age Group: 6+

Similar to the the game above, the children aim to count to the highest number possible. The trick is, only one child can say a number at a time.

The order of who says which number must be spontaneous, so nobody knows who is going to call out which number. If more than one child calls out the same number, the game starts again from 1.

3. Category Race

Format: Classroom

Age Group: 8+

This game can be played on the whiteboard or on paper. Split the children into teams and give each team 10 letters. Each time a category is called the children must write down one word beginning with a letter in their section. The children have 5 seconds to write down a word and the first group with 10 words correctly spelled is the winner.

Categories could include: jobs, sport, a place in the town, something you eat etc.

4. Word Auction

Format: Classroom

Age Group: 8+

Split the children into small groups and write a category on the board. Ask each group how many words within this category they can name in 30 seconds. Each group has 1 minute to bid for the right to answer.

Example category ‘jobs’. The children in group A think they can name 6 jobs, Group B 8 jobs and Group C 9 jobs. Group C wins the chance to answer. If they can successfully name 9 jobs they win 9 points, if they can't, 9 points are given to the other two groups. The first group to get 50 points is the winner.

5. Circle The Words

Format: Classroom

Age Group: 8+

Prepare a short text to read out to the class. From the text extract a number of key words and write them on the board. As you read the text out, substitute the key words with the word ‘BLANK’ and the children must decide which word from the board fits the blank.

This can be an active game where children run up and point to the words on the board, or they can write the words down and get points at the end.

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Top 5 ESL Warmer, Cooler and Filler Games

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