Funtastic Flashcards and 20 games to play.

Using flashcards can be a fun and effective way to help children read, spell and recognize words; do math computations; learn times tables and much more. Here are 20 games that you can play with the flashcards to make learning engaging and effective.

These games can be adapted for use in the classroom - whole class or groups; or at home. Print the flashcards directly onto a thin board (160g) or laminate them. Print more any time you need them.

Here are 20 adaptable activities suitable for any subject you are teaching.:

Memory Game: Create a matching game with two sets of flashcards. Flip them over and have the children find pairs of matching words, or answers to sums; or sums and answers. They keep the cards and the winner is the one with the most cards.
Bingo: Create Bingo cards with the words instead of numbers and call out or show the words for the children to mark on their cards.
Snap: Play snap where it's a "snap" if the words have a letter that is the same, e.g. about and after have an a or a t that is the same. The child just needs to mention one. This can also be done with numbers - words and symbols; answers and questions, etc.
Scavenger Hunt: Hide flashcards around the room and have the children find and read them.
Time Race: Time the pupils as they try to read as many flashcards as possible in a set time, or use an hourglass. This can also be done in groups.
Flashcard Puzzle: Cut the flashcards into pieces (you can always print more) and have the pupils put the right parts together.
Build a Wall: Create a word wall in the pupil's room or classroom where they can see and interact with the words and vocabulary regularly. The same can be done with numbers; sums; multiplication and other mathematical concepts.
Willy the Worm: Cut out coloured circles to make a worm. As each new word or concept is introduced and mastered you can paste that flashcard in a circle that gets added to the worm. Watch the worm grow. Have kids come up and read off the worm each day to help lock in the words or concepts they have previously learned- a great tool for retention!
Detective: Place 5 flashcards face up on a table (or on your board). Have the child point and read each card. Then, have the child close their eyes as you take a card away. Which card is missing? The child who names the correct card, keeps it. Replace it with another card. The winner is the one who has the most cards at the end of the game.
Flashlight or Slap: Lay out flashcards, call out words, and have the pupils "slap" the correct word with their hand or shine the light on them. They keep the card and whoever has the most, wins the game. The same can be done with sums - they read the sum and give the answer. The first one to say the correct answer keeps the card.
Sight Word Jenga: Write the words on Jenga blocks, and the child has to read a word before they can remove a block.
Collect a Card: Give each group a set of flashcards which are placed face down. Each child has a turn to pick up and read one. If correct, they keep it. If they can't read it within a given time limit they place it back underneath the pack. When the pack is finished the winner will have the most cards.
Word Karaoke: Sing words to familiar tunes or make up songs using the words.
Word Building: Provide letter tiles and have the child spell out the words on the flashcards.
Sight Word Pictionary: Draw or act out the words for the child to guess or pupils can do the acting.
Hopscotch: Create a hopscotch grid with the flashcards and have the child jump to each word while saying it; or sum while giving the answer.
Picture Bingo: Create a Bingo game with pictures representing the words on the flashcards, (or answers representing the sums) and the child matches the flashcards to the pictures/answers.
Relay Race: Set up a relay race with flashcards. The child has to run to the pile, read the word, (or do the sum for maths) and pass it on.
Fishing: Use a stick with a string and magnet. Attach gem clips to the flashcards, put them in a "pond," and have the child "fish" for words or sums. He keeps the words he can read or the sums he can do.
Storytime: Put a few words on the board, read a story and the kids must clap each time one of the words appears in the story.