What do you think your child would pick? Sitting with a book or playing a game of hopscotch where you add numbers and they jump on those sums? Well, if your answer is a book, then probably you’ve got an easy day. However, if your answer is the latter one, then you are at the right place because we have loads of interesting games that you can play with your little ones and make sure that they are having fun as much as they are learning. 

The same question applies to educators reading this. A structured lecture or a fun game, what would your little learners pick? The aforementioned activities can easily be adapted to group activities for your classroom. But hey, why are we talking about it? Let me tell you why. Today we’re discussing active learning games for kids so they are an equal part of their learning process instead of just passive listeners. 

In this blog, let’s explore further about active learning, its benefits for kids, and of course, a bunch of fun and interesting activities for kids. So, what’s the wait? Let’s get started. 

What is Active Learning? 

Learning is not just confined to the four walls of a classroom or the pages of a textbook. As the name suggests, it’s an approach where the kids are an active part of their learning process.  It can be an exhilarating adventure brimming with activity, play, and creativity. One of the most effective approaches to educating children is through active learning games that seamlessly fuse fun with learning.

Active learning includes hands-on tasks, collaborative projects, and dynamic games that involve physical movement. It transforms students from passive recipients of information into active participants who process, analyze, and apply knowledge. This method addresses different learning styles—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—by incorporating varied tasks. 

But wait, there's more to these games than just having a good time.

Importance of Active Learning Games

Active learning games play a crucial role in shaping young minds by combining the fundamentals of education with the excitement of play.  Here is how integrating learning with active gaming methods can make a world of difference.

• Combining Learning with Fun for Better Engagement

Active learning games boost engagement by blending physical movement with mental challenges. Research shows that 94% of students believe games improve focus and understanding, emphasizing the role of fun in enhancing academic outcomes.

• Physical, Cognitive, and Social Benefits

• Promotes Physical Movement: Active games keep kids moving, supporting physical health and stimulating neurogenesis, which boosts memory and learning.

• Enhances Cognitive Skills: These games develop problem-solving and critical thinking. For example, engaging in puzzles can boost children's ability to solve problems creatively and logically.

• Boosts Social Skills: Games that require teamwork foster communication, empathy, and collaboration, helping students build crucial social skills.

This is not it, let’s look at the benefits of active learning for kids in more detail. 

Benefits of Active Learning Over Traditional Methods

• Improves Retention: Physical participation and emotional engagement in active learning help solidify concepts, leading to better retention compared to traditional methods.

• Supports Diverse Learning Styles: Games can be tailored to various learning preferences, ensuring inclusivity for visual, auditory, or hands-on learners.

• Encourages a Growth Mindset: Challenges in games teach perseverance and resilience, fostering a growth mindset essential for academic and personal success.

• Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Active learning games create a positive, stress-free environment, enhancing well-being and productivity.

• Increases Attention Span: Engaging games help students focus longer and they are a useful tool in a world full of distractions.

• Real-World Applicability: Games mimic real-world scenarios, helping students develop problem-solving and decision-making skills for future challenges.

• Immediate Feedback: Games offer instant feedback, allowing students to understand and correct mistakes, promoting continuous improvement quickly.

Now, without further ado, let’s move ahead and explore various games and activities to engage your little ones in active learning. 

Active Learning Games for Kids

Who said learning can't be fun? With these active learning games, kids can refresh their minds, boost their skills, and burn off some energy all at the same time.  Here are some fantastic active learning games you can introduce to your classroom or play at home.

Multiplication Hopscotch

Preparation: Use chalk (or tape for indoor settings) to draw a traditional hopscotch grid. Replace the usual numbers with multiples of a chosen multiplication table (e.g., 3, 6, 9, 12 for the 3 times table).

Gameplay: Students take turns hopping or stomping on the multiples in sequence, calling out the numbers as they land on them. For example, if you’re practicing the 4 times table, the student hops on the numbers 4, 8, 12, and so on. The objective is to move through the entire grid without missing a number. If a student skips a number or says the wrong multiple, they must start over.

Pro Tip: Add a competitive twist by timing each student or creating team-based relay races. Introduce "freeze moments" by playing music, and when the music stops, students must freeze on the correct multiple.

Equation Tails

Preparation: Write math equations (e.g., 5 + 3, 12 ÷ 4, etc.) on strips of paper and attach them to the students’ backs as "tails" using safety pins or tape.

Gameplay: The game starts with students running around trying to “steal” each other's tails by pulling them off. Once they have a tail, they must solve the equation on the strip of paper. If the answer is correct, they get to keep the tail; if it’s wrong, they must return it to the original owner. The student with the most tails at the end of the game wins.

Pro Tip: Divide students into teams and let them strategize together. For added difficulty, include bonus “challenge tails” with more complex equations that award extra points for correct answers.

Dodging Equations

Preparation: Gather a soft foam ball and prepare a set of math question cards that match your students’ skill levels. Have a spacious area for students to move around.

Gameplay: The game begins like regular dodgeball, with one student throwing the ball at others while they dodge. When a student is hit, they’re out. However, to re-enter the game, they must correctly answer a math question from a question card. Once they answer the question, they can return to the game. The game continues until all players have had a chance to solve at least one question.

Pro Tip: Mix up the difficulty of the math problems based on students' abilities. You can also let the students who have been hit become "question masters," quizzing others and managing the questions.

Adver-Relays

Preparation: Prepare two sets of cards—one with verbs (e.g., "run," "jump") and the other with adverbs (e.g., "quickly," "gracefully"). You can also provide props or costumes for added creativity.

Gameplay: Divide the class into teams. Each student selects one verb and one adverb card, and they must act out the combination during a relay race. For example, if a student draws "jump slowly," they must perform a slow-motion jump while racing to the other side. Once they finish their turn, the next student in their team picks new cards and acts out their combination. The team that completes the relay first wins.

Pro Tip: For added fun, introduce themes like "sports" or "animals." You can also award extra points for the most creative or accurate performances, encouraging students to think outside the box.

Ready for more? Let’s check out another engaging game, Ten Add Bowling.

Ten Add Bowling

Preparation: Gather 10 bowling pins or plastic bottles and number them from 1 to 10. You’ll also need a lightweight ball and a score sheet.

Gameplay: Students take turns bowling to knock over the pins. After each roll, they add up the numbers on the fallen pins for their score. For example, if a student knocks over pins numbered 3, 5, and 7, their score for that turn is 15. The player with the highest cumulative score after several rounds wins. To make it more challenging, have students reorder the fallen numbers in ascending or descending order.

Pro Tip: Create variations by switching to subtraction, multiplication, or division with the pin numbers. You can also create math “challenges” by requiring students to solve an additional problem based on their score.

Divide and Conquer

Preparation: Write division problems on strips of paper, using a variety of difficulties to accommodate different skill levels.

Gameplay: Hand out the division problems randomly to the students. They must solve the equation on their strip and find others in the room who have the same answer. For example, if a student has "12 ÷ 4," they would find others with the same answer (3) and form a group. Incorrect answers mean elimination, and the game continues until there is one remaining student or group. For added challenges, mix in more complex equations or increase the group size needed to "win."

Pro Tip: To increase engagement, create team challenges where groups must work together to solve a series of problems within a time limit. You can also adapt the game for other math operations like multiplication or even word problems for more advanced learners.

Concluding Thoughts

And that’s a wrap! Who says learning can’t be fun? These active learning games prove that education and excitement can work hand-in-hand. From hopping through multiplication grids to chasing down equation tails, these games turn lessons into playful adventures. If you’re a teacher looking to energize your classroom or a parent wanting to keep your kids engaged, these activities are the perfect way to combine movement, teamwork, and learning.

Not only do these games boost focus and retention, but they also make learning feel less like a chore and more like play. So, grab some chalk, set up a quick game of Ten Add Bowling, or break out the foam ball for Dodging Equations. With a little creativity, you’ll turn everyday lessons into something your kids actually look forward to. 

Got more ideas up your sleeve? Share them with us and the community in the comments below! We look forward to hearing from you.