Are you looking for fun French games for the classroom? Look no further, you have definitely come to the right place! I am sharing with you 10 French learning games that my students LOVE. Some of these are online French games and others are physical games. Whether you are looking for French grammar games, French vocabulary games or multipurpose games — here are 11 fun games for French class!
1. A French vocabulary game – the French numbers game
To begin, this French learning game is perfect for beginner French classes. I play it with my students a few classes after teaching them French numbers. Additionally, it is just perfect for that first week of beginner French!
Goal of this French game : to practice French numbers
What you need : die (2-3 die per pair of students), a timer projected on the board, a piece of paper and a pencil per partner. My favourite online timer is bigtimer.net!
How it works :
- ask your students to partner up
- hand out 2-4 die to each set of partners
- set up a digital timer and project it on your board. I do 10 minutes.
- have your students roll the die and come up with as many (correct) addition equations in French as possible. For example, trois + cinq = huit
- After a few minutes, I begin to to add more die to their pile & halfway through the game I make them switch to multiplication!
2. La francophonie map game
My students are obsessed with this next French learning game! I always play it at the start of my first francophonie unit.
Goal of this French game : to see how well students can place francophone countries on the map. Hint : they can’t!
What you need : maps of francophone countries projected on the board, white board markers for students
How it works :
- distribute a whiteboard marker to each student OR use two for the whole class
- split your class up into two teams
- project a map of the world & name a francophone country
- one member per team has to run up to the board and circle that country correctly on the map
- team members can only assist vocally
If you are looking for this game without all of the hassles of prep, this French game is included in my régions francophones PowerPoint.
3. Quizlet Live
Next up is my students’ favourite online French game! My students love this game so much that they never ask for Kahoot anymore. In my classroom, we play Quizlet Live in teams, however, playing individually is also an option.
Goal of this French game : to work together as a team
What you need : a Quizlet account, a set (created by you or one you’ve searched up)
How it works :
- create or find a Quizlet set on a topic you have been studying in class
- go to the set
- click on the live button & start your game!
- a QR code or game code will appear on your screen
- students will join the game & create a name
- it will group students in teams next
- each time will have the same question, but each screen will have a number of possible answers. Only one screen will have the correct answer!
4. French Bingo Games – Halloween, Travel, Sports, Food
This next French vocabulary game is pretty self-explanatory! I have a few BINGO games printed, laminated & ready to go in my classroom. You would think that students would be indifferent to this old school game, but mine always beg for Bingo!
Goal of this French game : to practice key French vocabulary
What you need : printed/laminated Bingo cards, whiteboard markers & microfibre cloths for wiping
How it works :
- print and prep your Bingo games
- hand one out to each student, along with a whiteboard marker and microfibre cloth for erasing
5. Jeopardy
This next one is an oldie, but still a favourite French grammar game of my students! They get so into it, and my 90s/early 2000s heart gets so happy!
Goal of this French game : to practice key French grammar or vocabulary via this online French game
What you need : a pre-made & ready to go Jeopardy game or one you’ve searched up, individual whiteboards, whiteboard markers
How it works :
- find or create your Jeopardy game. I use jeopardylabs.net
- divide your students into pairs
- project the jeopardy game
- hand out 1 whiteboard + pen to each pair
6. French taboo
I recently played Taboo in English with my students and it was such a hit! The majority had never played this game ever before and they had so much fun! We ended up ordering French Taboo games from Amazon for our Grade 11 and 12 students. Disclaimer: I have yet to play this game, but it seems to be perfect for advanced French students!
Goal of this French game : to practice French vocabulary
What you need : French taboo (from Amazon or elsewhere)
How it works :
- purchase French Taboo
- split your class into two teams
- have one member from each team come up to the front for each round
7. French trivia games
Goal of this French game : to learn about a variety of different topics or review information about topics
What you need : pre-made French trivia games (or make them yourself), your computer, and projector and maybe even candy or stickers for prizes
How it works :
- Display the trivia game
- Remind students that you have to read the question as a class and they have to raise their hand and wait to be called upon
- Pick a student and see if their answer was correct!
8. Categories
I couldn’t make a list of my favourite fun French games without including Categories in it! Since having fun is one of my biggest priorities in French class, we always play Categories every few weeks!
Goal of this French game : to practice French vocabulary
What you need : a ball for tossing
How it works :
- take your students outside preferably or have them spread out evenly in the classroom
- state a category of French vocabulary your students will be familiar with
- toss the ball to the first person. They have to name a word in that category either before they catch the ball or within 2 seconds of catching the ball
- if they do not say a word within 2 seconds, they are out
Possible categories :
- matériel scolaire
- adjectifs
- sports
- activité avec faire
- couleurs
- aliments
- French irregular verbs
- French ER verbs
9. Vocabulary tag
Vocabulary tag is a fun French game perfect for any level of French! This game is actually very similar to Categories. The main difference is that this game is much more active than Categories. I would say it’s ideal for Elementary to Grade 8 students. It’s especially perfect if you feel that your students have tons of energy that needs to be released!
Goal of this French game : to practice French vocabulary
What you need : the outdoors or a gym
How it works :
- go outside or to your gym (if it’s available)
- decide on your category (see above)
- have students stand in a giant circle
- one person will be in the middle, they are “it”
- they run to someone in the circle and that person has to shout a word in the category you have selected
- if the person standing in the circle is too slow or does not say a word, they are now it!
10. Musical chairs without chairs
Musical chairs without chairs is another game I play with my beginner French students in the first week of French. We spend tons of time practicing French greetings and salutations. Therefore, this game is perfect for the first week of French class!
Goal of this French game : to practice French salutations, greetings and conversational basics
What you need : catchy French music & a loud speaker
How it works :
- create a French music playlist filled with catchy French songs
- play an upbeat French song
- have your students stand up and begin to walk around the classroom
- stop the music after 30 seconds or so and have your students turn to the person closest to them to have a quick conversation
- repeat!
11. Vocabulary pictionary
Last but not least is an interactive French vocabulary game that will result in tons of laughter & fun!
Goal of this French game : to practice French vocabulary
What you need : 1 whiteboard, 1 whiteboard marker & 1 whiteboard eraser per pair
How it works :
- create a list of French vocabulary that your students have recently been practicing in French class
- have students pair up and sit with their partner
- distribute 1 whiteboard and 1 whiteboard marker to each pair
- share a vocabulary term with your students. For example, ‘un chat’
- they must draw an image illustrating that vocabulary term and quickly throw it up in the air
- first pair to get it correct wins a point!
What French classroom games do you play with your French students?
Thank you so much for reading all the way to the bottom of this article! I hope that your students love all of these games for French class! What French vocabulary games or French grammar games do you play with your own students? Are there any online French games that your students are obsessed with? We would love to hear your recommendations in the comments below!
