Some Great Games for Kids in German for the Classroom

The flyswatter game, recommended by Oklahoma State University, requires little supplies and can be used to teach students several aspects of any foreign language. Adapting this as one of your games for kids in German is a simple process.

German Numbers

• Write on your chalkboard the numbers you wish to review in English.
• Call on two students at a time, giving them each a flyswatter.
• Say the German number and have the students hit the proper English number with the flyswatter.
• Award points and possible prizes depending on your classroom and/or school policies.

German Articles

• Write "der," "die," and "das" on your blackboard.
• Call on two students at a time. Give each student a flyswatter.
• State the German nouns that you wish to emphasize from your lesson plan. Ask the students to hit the appropriate article with the flyswatter.
• Create an awards and points program in accordance with your teaching strategy.

German Vocabulary

• Write selected German vocabulary words on the chalkboard. Alternatively, you can instead write the English translations.
• Call on two students; give them each a flyswatter.
• State either the German translation or the English word as appropriate. Have students smack the corresponding translation with the flyswatter. If appropriate, create an awards and points system to reward achievement.

One of the most fun games for kids in German is crossword puzzles. Creating this is very easy when you use free online programs such as the one found at Puzzlemaker.com.

If you have younger students, you might want to use only a few clues and corresponding words. Older students can likely handle a large crossword puzzle close to those found in major daily newspapers as well as a number of magazines. You can easily assign such activities for homework.

Another option is to create a timed in-class competition. The first person who finishes the puzzle correctly "wins." If you're planning an in-class crossword puzzle, it is usually a good idea to make the puzzle fairly short. Three to 10 clues and words, depending on the age and language level of your students, is ideal for classroom schedules and student attention spans.

Combining technological advances with German online games can make learning especially fun for your students. These are also great homework assignments, as some students may feel more like it is "play" than "work." You're accomplishing several important goals when you use online German games.

Alternatively, you can seat students in small groups in your classroom, library or computer lab. This option depends on your school's computing facilities and usage policies.

Quia.com is just one provider of numerous German lesson games, especially concerning vocabulary and grammar. You and your students might especially want to check out options such as "Conjugate the verb sollen" or "Working with waren." If your students are learning more basic German, you can select from plenty of alternatives such as those dealing with numbers and colors.

A previous Bright Hub article, How to Find Free Internet German Grammar Games, may also prove helpful in giving you a number of language learning gaming options.