Actions ESL Games and Activities

Here are two free action verb games to help students practice everyday actions. First, students play a gap-fill and matching game. In groups, students take turns picking up a sentence card, reading it aloud and placing it face-up on the table. All the students then race to find the correct action verb card to complete the sentence. When a student finds the right action verb card, they pick it up and read the complete sentence aloud. If the other students agree the action verb matches the sentence, the student wins and keeps the cards. If not, the student puts down the verb card, is out of the round and other students can answer. The student with the most pairs of cards at the end of the game wins. After that, students play a game where they form sentences using the action verbs. Students take turns turning over an action verb card so it's visible to everyone. The other students then race to put up their hands and say a sentence using the action verb. The first student to make a suitable sentence wins and keeps the card. The student with the most cards at the end of the game is the winner.

Here is an actions worksheet to help students practice common verbs related to everyday actions. First, students match action verbs with words and phrases. Students then underline the correct action verb to complete each sentence. Next, students circle the odd verb out in each set and write why the action verb doesn't belong. After that, students complete sentences with action verbs from a box. Students then move on to use action verbs from the worksheet to write three true and three false sentences about themselves. Students then take turns reading the sentences to a partner, who guesses whether they are true or false. Finally, in pairs, students ask and answer conversation questions that use the action verbs.

In this fun actions game, students read sentences and then mime or guess the missing verbs of physical movement. In competing teams of two, students take turns picking up a card and reading the sentence using the word 'blank' for the missing action verb. The reader then mimes the missing action verb shown in brackets on the card to their partner, who tries to guess it. If the student successfully guesses the verb within 30 seconds, the team wins and keeps the card. If not, the other team has one chance to guess the verb and steal the card. The team with the most cards at the end of the game wins.