In December 2016, I wrote a post called 10 PowerPoint Games. Due to its popularity, here are 10 more PowerPoint Games.
The first bumper pack of 10 PowerPoint Games was put together to thank everyone who has been following tekhnologic. It was hugely successful and I knew straight away that I should be looking ahead to the future and thinking about producing 10 more PowerPoint Games.
However, I wasn’t inspired just by the popularity of the previous post. I had been thinking about gradually replacing the downloads page with a series of collections instead. These collections separated by theme would be easier to view, easier to manage and hopeful more useful to teachers.
This is my second collections post. I have put together 10 games that I have produced over the course of 2017. If you are a regular reader you will be familiar with them all. If you read my blog from time to time, there may be a few games you haven’t come across, and if this is the first time you have read my blog, all these games will be new to you. I hope you will come back and continue to read tekhnologic.
Contents
- The Balloon Game
- The Grammar Auction
- Spaceman
- The Maze Game
- The Dungeon Quiz
- Finger Twister
- A or B
- Target Language
- Find the Lie
- Star Groups
Each game contains a brief description, a download link and a link to the original article. However, if you have any questions that cannot be answered by reading the articles or watching the tutorial videos, please feel free to contact me. Alternatively you can send me a message on my Facebook page or on Twitter.
Number One: The Balloon Game
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download The Balloon Game PowerPoint template
‘The Balloon Game‘ is an adaptation of a popular Japanese TV quiz segment. This classroom version encourages students to use their English to stop the balloons from floating away!
Before your class, download and open the template. You will see a single slide.
Beneath the slide, there are 10 hidden question boxes. 5 yellow questions and 5 green questions. Write a question to go in each box. The yellow questions should be easier than the green questions. If you need more than 10 questions, you can play multiple rounds by copying the slide and writing new questions.
During your class, divide the students into small groups or teams (4-6 students). Allow the students to create a team name for themselves and a ‘buzzer signal’ (raising their hand, showing a sign, ringing a bell, making a funny noise etc.) Although the Balloon Game is played as a team game to keep all the students engaged, it is important to understand the students are working together as a class. If one team wins, the whole class wins.
Start the presentation. Choose a group at random to choose a number from the left-hand side of the screen.
Click on the number and one of your pre-written questions is revealed. Any team can answer but they must use their buzzer. If the students answer correctly, no balloons are lost. If the answer is incorrect, click on a balloon and it will float away. (For an incorrect yellow question, one balloon floats away. For an incorrect green question, two balloons float away.) The first team to answer correctly may choose the next question.
The students may win a reward (at the teacher’s discretion) if there are balloons remaining at the end of the game.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Number Two: The Grammar Auction
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download the Grammar Auction PowerPoint template
A ‘Grammar Auction‘ is a fun and lively way to review grammar, correct common mistakes and improve accuracy. Now there is a PowerPoint template for this activity.
Before your class, download and open the template. You will see a title slide and a single question slide.
On the question slide, there are 5 boxes for example sentences. Write 3 correct sentences and 2 incorrect sentences. The default layout is as follows: sentence 1 and 2 are correct, sentence 3 and 4 are incorrect and sentence 5 is correct. Read this post and watch the video tutorial for tips about editing the template and changing the default layout.
During your class, divide the students into small groups or teams (4-6 students for a large class, 2-3 students for smaller classes) and allow the students to think of a team name and a signal for bidding. You may wish to use realia for this.
The students / teams bid on the sentences they want to buy. The students earn points for each correct or corrected sentence that they buy. Click on the hammer to indicate which sentence(s) have been sold. Click on the ‘sold hammer’ to reveal whether the sentence is correct or not.
Repeat the activity until all the sentences have been presented to the students. The winner is the team with the most correct or corrected sentences. If it is a draw and two teams have the same amount of correct and corrected sentences, the team with the most amount of money remaining is declared the winner.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Number Three: Spaceman
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download the Spaceman PowerPoint template
‘Spaceman’ is an alternative to hangman. It uses easy to draw shapes, it follows the same rules and it is easily identifiable by its name.
Before your class, download and open the template. You will see a single slide.
On the slide, there are letters on the left-hand side of the side, a ‘build’ button and boxes for the hidden word at the bottom of the slide. Click on a letter to highlight it and indicate that it has already been selected. Click on the ‘build’ button to build the spaceship. Click on the green squares to reveal the correctly guessed letters. Read this post and watch the video tutorial for tips about editing the template.
During your class, divide the students into small groups or teams if you have a large class. If you have a small class, students can play as individuals. The aim of the game is to guess the hidden word.
Start the game by asking the students to choose a letter. Left-click on the letter in the panel on the left-hand side of the screen. Left-click on the correct green box if the letter appears in the answer. With every correct guess, a new letter is revealed.
If the letter doesn’t appear in the answer, click on the build button. With every incorrect guess, a new part of the spaceship is built. Click the build button nine times to complete the spaceship. On the 10th click, the alien beams onto the spaceship and flies away. That signals that the students can no longer keep guessing.
Finally, reveal the remaining letters if there are any.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Number Four: The Maze Game
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download the Maze Game PowerPoint template
‘The Maze Game‘ is an activity that encourages students to make decisions and choices.
Before your class, download and open the template.
You will see the maze slide and 25 question slides. On the maze slide, there are 25 squares that block the corridors and pathways. Clicking on one of the number blocks will take you to the associated question slide. On the question slide, there is space for to write your questions and answers before the class. Clicking on the questions will reveal the answers. Read this post and watch the tutorial video for tips about editing the template.
During your class, divide the students into small groups or teams if you have a large class. If you have a small class, students can play as individuals. Allow the students to create a team name for themselves and a ‘buzzer signal’ (raising their hand, showing a sign, ringing a bell, making a funny noise etc.)
The aim of the game is to travel through the maze and find the path that leads to the star.
Start the presentation and ask the students to choose a path. The students start at the red arrow and they are faced with two choices. They can go straight ahead and choose block number one or they can turn right and choose block number two. Left-click on the chosen block and go to the question slide. Any team can answer but they must use their buzzer.
If the correct path was chosen, the numbered-block will disappear, the team will earn a point and may choose the next block. If an incorrect path was chosen, the numbered-block will shake but remain and the question is passed to another team.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Number Five: The Dungeon Quiz
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download the Dungeon Quiz PowerPoint template
‘The Dungeon Quiz‘ is a different kind of PowerPoint game. Students have to use their English ability to defeat the monsters in the dungeon.
Before your class, download and open the template.
You will see a title slide, 11 transition slides (moving through the dungeon with footstep sound effects) and 10 monster slides. The monsters get more difficult to defeat as you move through the dungeon. Early monsters have a strength of one heart, so they can be defeated by one answer. Later monsters have a strength of six hearts, so they can only be defeated with six answers. Click the left mouse button or press the left arrow key and the hearts will disappear.
You will need to prepare some questions, tasks or challenges the students need to answer or complete before you play the game.
During your class, divide the students into small groups or teams if you have a large class. If you have a small class, students can play as individuals. Allow the students to create a team name for themselves and a ‘buzzer signal’ (raising their hand, showing a sign, ringing a bell, making a funny noise etc.)
Start the presentation and click on the title slide. The first transition slide will play and you will begin to walk through the dungeon. When your class encounters the first monster, ask a question or set a task or challenge. Any student or team may answer, but they should use their buzzer signal.
If the class complete the game, they win. If one of the team has scored the most points, they can be rewarded at the teacher’s discretion.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Number Six: Finger Twister
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download the Finger Twister PowerPoint template
‘Finger Twister‘ is a great game and it is easy to adapt and use in the classroom. Turn the introduction or review of new language into a fun game that the students will enjoy playing.
Before your class, download and open the template.
You will see the menu slide, which contains 16 circles and a spinning wheel. The circles are divided into four categories represented by four colors (green, yellow, blue and red). Clicking on one of the circles will take you to the linked question slide. To start the spinner, click on the spin button in the center and the arrow will rotate quickly. Click again and the arrow will stop.
Each question slide has space for a question, task or challenge to be written. Answers are not provided on the question slide. Feedback must be given by the teacher. Click on the ‘back’ button to return to the menu slide.
You will need to prepare some questions, tasks or challenges the students need to answer or complete before you play the game.
During your class, divide the students into pairs. Each pair will need a ‘Finger Twister’ board. Allow the students to decide which player will go first. The teacher spins the wheel and calls out the finger and the color. The starting player can then choose which circle they will place that finger on (number 1, 2, 3 or 4). Choose one student at random and ask them what number they have chosen. Go to that question slide and present the question, task or challenge to the students. If Student A completes the challenge or answers the question, Student B places their finger on Green 1.
If the first player doesn’t complete the challenge or answers the question incorrectly, they must place their finger on the circle they chose. If the first player completes the challenge or answers the question correctly, the second player must place their finger on the circle they chose. The players take turns until one player is unable to reach a color, if their hand stops touching the paper or if their hand falls.
The player that wins can be given a reward at the teacher’s discretion.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Number Seven: A or B
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download the A or B PowerPoint template
‘A or B‘ is a game where students are encouraged to discuss and debate, to speculate and guess and to explain the reasons behind their ideas. And if there is disagreement in their groups, students have to learn to persuade their peers.
Before your class, download and open the template.
You will see fives slides. The first slide is the title screen of the game. The second (A is correct) and third slide (B is correct) are for text comparison. Type your statements into the text boxes and write your question at the top of the slide. Ask the students to decide which answer is correct and explain why they chose that answer. The fourth (A is correct) and fifth slide (B is correct) are for picture comparison. Change the picture placeholders to your own image prompts and write your question at the top of the slide. Ask the students to decide which answer is correct and explain why they chose that answer. Read this post and watch the tutorial video for tips about editing the template.
You will need to prepare some questions for your students before you play the game. Copy and rearrange the different types of question cards you need.
During your class, divide the students into small groups or teams if you have a large class. If you have a small class, students can play as individuals. Allow the students to create a team name for themselves and a ‘buzzer signal’ (raising their hand, showing a sign, ringing a bell, making a funny noise etc.)
Start the presentation and click on the title slide. Read the first question and give the students to talk in their groups and decide which of the answers is correct. After the students have chosen their answer, ask each of the groups their opinion. Once you have spoken to each group, reveal the correct answer to the class. Give a point to each group that guessed correctly. Continue onto the next question.
The team who has scored the most points can be rewarded at the teacher’s discretion.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Number Eight: Target Language
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download the Target Language PowerPoint template
‘Target Language‘ is a quiz format that encourages students to practise and review the vocabulary and grammar of a course.
Before your class, download and open the template.
You will see a title slide, a menu slide and 28 question slides. The menu slide contains twenty-eight numbered targets. Click on one of the targets to go to a question slide. The question slide contains space for your question and space for your answer. Click on the left mouse button or press the left arrow key to reveal your answer. Click the ‘back’ button the return to the menu slide. An arrow will fly from the top-right hand corner and hit the target. The target will disappear to indicate that the question has been answered.
You will need to prepare some questions, tasks or challenges the students need to answer or complete before you play the game.
During your class, divide the students into small groups or teams if you have a large class. If you have a small class, students can play as individuals. Allow the students to create a team name for themselves and a ‘buzzer signal’ (raising their hand, showing a sign, ringing a bell, making a funny noise etc.)
Start the presentation and click on the title slide to go to the menu slide. Ask one of the teams at random to choose one of the twenty-eight targets. Click on the chosen target and you will go to the question slide. Any student or team may answer, but they should use their buzzer signal.
Give the students/team some time to answer the question. You may want to set a time limit. Once the students have answered, click anywhere on the slide to reveal the answer and see if they are correct. If the students are correct, award them a point for their team. Click on the back button to return to the menu slide. The target is hit by a dart and disappears. Repeat until all questions have been answered or until the previously decided time limit is up.
The team who has scored the most points can be rewarded at the teacher’s discretion.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Number Nine: Find the Lie
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download the Find the Lie PowerPoint template
‘Find the Lie’ is a common EFL activity. You may know it as ‘two truths and one lie’ or you may have seen TV game shows that have used a similar format.
Before your class, download and open the template.
You will see a title slide and three different question slides. On slide two, A is the correct answer, on slide three, B is the correct answer and on slide four, C is the correct answer. Copy and rearrange the slides as needed. On each of the question slides, write your three statements and make sure your correct statement is in the right textbox. The correct statement will turn green when you click on the textbox during a presentation.
During your class, divide the students into small groups or teams if you have a large class. If you have a small class, students can play as individuals. Allow the students to create a team name for themselves and a ‘buzzer signal’ (raising their hand, showing a sign, ringing a bell, making a funny noise etc.)
Start the presentation and click on the title slide. Introduce the three statements to your students. Invite your students to ask information questions to explore the story behind each of the statements. Then allow your students some time to talk into small groups and decide which statement they think is the lie. Elicit opinions from your students and click on the chosen answer box to reveal whether the statement is true or not. If the students are correct, award them a point for their team. Click on the purple area of the slide or press the left-arrow key to move to the next slide.
The team who has scored the most points/guessed correctly can be rewarded at the teacher’s discretion. After playing the PowerPoint version, the game can be easily transferred to the students to play in small groups.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Number Ten: Star Groups
Click on the image above or follow the link below to download the template
Download the Star Groups PowerPoint template
‘Star Groups‘ is game inspired by a TV game show called Wipeout. The activity encourages students to categorize or show greater awareness of the target language.
Before your class, download and open the template.
You will see a title slide and a question slide. The question slide contains a box to write your question. The question should be based on a category. These categories may include word associations, grammar tenses, and phrasal verbs. The slide also contains 12 boxes to write 12 possible answers to the question. Under each of the word boxes there is a marker indicating if the answer is correct or now. If the marker is a star, it indicates the word is correct and belongs in the category. If the marker is a cross, it indicates the word is incorrect and doesn’t belong in the category. Click on a word box during the presentation and it will disappear to reveal the marker beneath. Copy the slide as many times as you need. Read this post and watch the tutorial video for tips about editing the template.
You will need to prepare some questions for your students before you play the game.
During your class, divide the students into small groups or teams if you have a large class. If you have a small class, students can play as individuals. Allow the students to create a team name for themselves and a ‘buzzer signal’ (raising their hand, showing a sign, ringing a bell, making a funny noise etc.)
Start the presentation and click on the title slide. Introduce the question to your students. Tell your students that there are 5 correct answers and 7 incorrect answers. Once you have asked the question any student or team may answer, but they should use their buzzer signal.
The first group that chooses to answer, allow them to choose a square. Make sure the students don’t answer in single word responses, they should try and answer in whole sentences. If necessary, provide students with the structure that you want them to use.
Click on the square to determine whether the answer is correct. Each correct answer (star)equals 1 point. If the students guess a correct answer, they can guess again. If they guess an incorrect answer, the question is passed to another team. Remind the students that they are working together as a class and award each team points for the correct answers they gave.
E.g. Team B guess 3 stars but on the fourth guess they find a cross, so the question passes to Team D who gave the final two answers and found the final two stars.
The team who has scored the most points/guessed correctly can be rewarded at the teacher’s discretion.
Please read this post for more information and a tutorial video about this template.
Please leave a comment if you have any ideas you would like to share or if you have any questions about any of the templates. Alternatively you can send me a message on my Facebook page or on Twitter.
Thank you for reading tekhnologic and take care!
You may also like to read:
10 PowerPoint Games is a collection of games and activities that were created for tekhnologic. There are several benefits to using PPT games in the classroom. They model an activity or a game, they are fun to play, they are easy to create or edit, and they don’t require an internet connection.
All games and activities were designed with Microsoft PowerPoint 2016.
Animations and sounds may differ when opened in other presentation software.
Microsoft® Office® is a copyrighted product of the Microsoft® corporation.
All media that accompanies these games and activities (including templates, screenshots, images and video tutorials) are for educational purposes only.
The Grammar Auction
The sound effects used in the template are from http://www.soundbible.com.
Gavel sound effect recorded by minuteman and available from http://soundbible.com/1585-Judges-Gavel.html under a Public Domain license.
Click on sound effect recorded by Mike Koenig and available from http://soundbible.com/1280-Click-On.html under a Creative Common Attribution 3.0 license.
The Dungeon Quiz
The original version of the Dungeon Quiz was created in collaboration with Owen Kozlowski.
Finger Twister
The template was inspired by an article from Larissa’s languages.
Twister and Finger Twister are copyrighted products that belong to the Hasbro corporation. The templates created here are adaptations for educational purposes and are in no way intended to replace official products.
A or B
The template is an adaptation of a game from the TV show 芸能人格付けチェック.
The font used in the template is Nouveau Drop Caps and it was created by Typographer Mediengestaltung and it is available for download from 1001fonts.com. The font has been used as an image, but no changes have been made to the font.
Find the Lie
Find the Lie is an adaptation of a popular EFL activity known as ‘Two truths, on lie’ and inspired by two British TV game shows (Call my Bluff and Would I Lie to You).
Star Groups
The sound effect used in the template is from http://www.soundbible.com.
Click on sound effect recorded by Mike Koenig and available from http://soundbible.com/1280-Click-On.html under a Creative Common Attribution 3.0 license.
tekhnologic 
Hi T,
Just to let you know that we’ve shortlisted this blog post for this month’s TeachingEnglish blog award and I’ll be putting up a post about it on tomorrow’s TeachingEnglish Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/TeachingEnglish.BritishCouncil, if you’d like to check there for comments.
Best,
Ann
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ann,
Thank you for the nomination.
I hope the games prove to be useful for other teachers.
Regards,
T
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Just new to this site. I have already downloaded Find the Lie and 50/50. I have adapted both to use as short revision quizzes for my History and Geography classes. I can see their potential for fun and learning. Using them next week. Let you know how it goes.
Cheers
Helmut
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These are amazing!!! I’ve been looking for new power point games but you went above and beyond. Thank you so much!
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Thank you for these games! Keep up the good work!
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This is an awesome resource! Thank you so much for putting these up, and free:-) I teach Japanese and the vast majority of them can be used for any language, or subject.
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