10 Best Games to Learn English for Kids: Fun & Easy Play-Based Learning at Home

When you think about games to learn English, it helps to flip the question a little: How can I give my child more chances to use English in real life… without it feeling like homework?

That is where english learning games for kids shine. Short, playful, repeatable games turn new words, sounds and grammar into something children actually want to practise.

Below are 10 simple ideas you can use at home 

You can mix these with store-bought educational english games, or play them with nothing more than paper, pencils and a bit of silliness. (and most can double up as classroom games to learn English too).

If you are looking for fun, skill-building play ideas beyond language games, explore ThinkWittsy’s kid-friendly educational toys here

Picture Pounce

Spread a bunch of picture cards or objects on the floor.
Call out a word. Your child “pounces” on the right one.

• Great starter for english vocabulary games
  
• Easy to level up: use adjectives (the tiny cat), verbs (something that jumps), or categories (anything you can eat)

This one works well with more than one child too, so it doubles as one of your go-to english word games for students if you help in a small group or class.

Want more picture-based learning fun? Try puzzle-style play that builds observation and vocabulary:

Silly Sentence Builder

Write simple words on slips of paper: nouns, verbs, adjectives, places. Put them into bowls.
Kids pull one from each bowl and read the sentence they have built:
“The purple tiger dances in the kitchen.”

You have just turned grammar into a game:

• They are practising word order without a worksheet
• You can gently tweak it into english grammar games by asking, Can you change this to yesterday? or How would you say it in the future?

Idiom Charades

Choose simple idioms like “under the weather”, “break the ice”, “a piece of cake”, or use idiom cards from a board game.

One person acts it out. The others guess the idiom and then say what it really means.

This is brilliant to:

• Learn english through games that are full of meaning and culture
  
• Turn speaking into a natural part of play, so it becomes one of your favourite english speaking games

If your child loves idioms, guessing and wordplay, check out ThinkWittsy’s board games collection for family game nights

Secret Word Detective

Choose a secret word of the day (for example “because”, “and”, or a new noun).
Every time your child uses it correctly in a sentence, they earn a point or tiny reward.

You have just made practice feel like one of those fun games to learn english without adding extra time.

Question Ball

Use any soft ball. Toss it and ask a question as you throw:
What is your favourite snack?
The person who catches answers in a full sentence, then throws and asks a new question.

This is perfect for:

• Shy kids who need low-pressure english speaking games
  
• Weaving real conversation into movement (which keeps energy up after school)

Story Dice (or Story Cards)

Draw simple pictures on small cards or use dice with stickers on each side.
Children roll or pick three and tell a short story using all of them.

You have just created:

• An english learning game that practises storytelling, connectors and tense
  
• An easy way to recycle new vocabulary from books, shows or school

If you want to add a grammar twist, ask them to retell the same story in the past or future. Instant english grammar games, no printing required.

For kids who learn best through visuals and interactive play, explore fun AR activity kits that bring learning to life 

Echo & Change

You say a sentence:
“I like apples.”

Your child repeats it, then changes one small thing:
“I like mangoes.” or “I do not like apples.”

This can grow into:

• A pronunciation warm-up
  
• A flexible english vocabulary game where you slide in new words
  
• A gentle way to tackle tricky structures like negatives or questions

Word Hunt Around the House

Choose a theme: colours, prepositions, food, shapes.
Set a timer. Kids run around and find examples:

• Something under the table
  
• Something that is round

Once time is up, everyone reports back in full sentences. This blends physical play with interactive english games, which helps restless kids stay engaged.

Describe & Draw

One person looks at a picture but does not show it. They describe it in English while the other person draws:

There is a big tree on the left. A small dog is under the tree.

When you compare the drawing and the original, there is always laughter.

This hits several goals at once:

• Listening skills
  
• Prepositions and adjectives
  
• Real reasons to ask “Can you repeat that?” or “What does that mean?”

It is one of the simplest english language learning activities to keep ready for a rainy day.

Mini Board Game Night

Keep one or two boxed educational english games or word-based board games on a handy shelf. Look for ones that:

• Have kids reading, guessing or explaining words
  
• Are genuinely fun enough that they ask to play again
  
• Can be adapted into english word games for students if you want to use them with friends or cousins

These more structured interactive english games are great when you want to sit down together after dinner and do “something proper” without it feeling like tuition.

You do not need to run all ten ideas at once. Pick two or three games to learn English that fit your child’s age and mood, and play them in short bursts. Over time, those little moments of word play add up. Children start to joke, guess, question and tell stories in English, which is exactly what all the best english learning games for kids are quietly aiming for.

Want more playful learning options for home and classroom? Explore ThinkWittsy’s collections: