Drama GAMES for KIDS
Welcome!
Here you’ll find the most comprehensive resource of drama games for kids and teaching drama tips.
Drama games are an important part of any drama curriculum because they can teach valuable theatre skills while allowing students to have fun, build confidence, stretch their imagination and grow as an ensemble.
Our goal is to provide you with the very best activities that will help make your drama club spark to life. Check back often as we’ll be updating regularly.
Looking for a musical for young actors? Our award-winning plays for kids are guaranteed to be a hit. And best of all, production materials are delivered within 24 hours! Click here to learn more.
Introducing Teaching Drama Online – our new page with links and resources to teaching drama remotely.
Drama Games for Kids
Warm Ups
Tongue Twisters (The Ultimate List!)
Introductions & Applause
Bippity Bippity Bop
Zip Zap Zop!
Name Game
“Lap, Lap, Clap, Snap!”
Whoosh!
Splat!
Bomb and Shield
Pass the Sound
Look and Scream
Keeper of the Keys
Alien, Tiger, Cow
Greetings
Toilet Paper Icebreaker
Name Chant
Shake It Off
Zombie Name Game
Meet My Friend…
Drawing Introduction
Dance Your Name
Malapropism
Ninja Star, Baby Kitten, Angry Chihuahua
Two-Headed Monster Dance
Clap, Snap, Stomp
Do Nothing
MeYouYouMe Name Game
Ensemble Building
Human Knot
One Word Story
Conducted Story
Walking Blind (Trust Exercise #1)
Falling Backward (Trust Exercise #2)
Passed Around (Trust Exercise #3)
Exploring the Space
“Do You Love Your Neighbor?”
Group Count (1 to 10)
Group Shape
Wizards, Giants, Goblins
Give and Take
Toy Boat
Balancing Plate
Towel Crossing
Minefield
Islands
String Shapes
Affirmation
People, Shelter, Storm
Spy, Crush, Hate
Index Card
A Fine, Fine Line
Reflection Web
Paper Affirmation
Paper Airplane Introduction
The Truth About Me
Break Out of Shell
Hot Spot
Conveyor Belt
Sound and Motion
Enemy & Protector
Ducks and Cows
Exaggeration Circle
Yes, No, Please, Banana
Deer!
Focus
Mirror Activity
Mirror Activity (4 Person Variation)
Who’s the Leader?
Flock Dance (Variation of the Mirror)
The Machine
Rain Storm
Twin Interview
Quick Change
Sausage!
Pass the Pulse
Circle Switch
Silent and Serious
Straight Face Introduction
The Huddle
Group Laugh (Without Laughing!)
Three Ball Toss
Magical Connection
Creativity
Morph the Movement
What Are You Doing?
Group Environment
On the Spot
Freeze and Justify
Stream of Consciousness
Narrative, Color, Emotion (NED!)
Environment Charades
Slow Motion Emotion
Two Person Environment
Bucket of Water
Beads on a String
Bus Stop
Tour Guide
Who’s Telling the Truth?
Two-Headed Monster
Backdrop
Don’t Think
Not What It Seems
Pop-Up Book
Why Are You Late?!
Name Dance
Orchestra of Sound & Emotion
Sound Ball
Famous People
The Great Booga Booga Booga
Comic Strip
Witch and Wizard Cauldron
Emotional Quadrants
Improv
Emotion Party
Hitchhiker
The Expert
Talk Show Expert
3 Television Channels
Status Exercise
Grab a Slip!
Gibberish Interpreter
Gibberish Conversation
Alphabet Conversation
Yes, Let’s
Stand, Sit, Bend
A Night at the Oscars
Superheroes!
Scene From Real Life
Coffee House
Fast Forward/Rewind (DVR)
Split Screen
Fortunately, Unfortunately
Helping Hands
Slide Show
Relationship Blitz
Lie to Me
Word Circle Improv
MacGyver
Questions
Three Words
Superfans
Emotional Transfer
Moose!
Affect the Player
Theatre Basics
Teaching Drama Tips & Articles
5 Ways to Help Your Kids Project Their Voice On Stage
How to Begin Creating an Ensemble on Day 1
8 Tips for a Successful Drama Sharing Day
4 Free Monologues for Kids & Teens
How to Write a Monologue – Free Lesson Plan from Teaching Playwriting
Putting on a Play or Musical
7 Fundraising Ideas for Your Next Children’s Play or Musical
How to Plan for a Successful Production
7 Reasons to Perform a Beat by Beat Musical
How to Keep Your Rehearsals Fresh and Exciting
Rehearsal Activity: Thought Bubble Tableau
Teaching Improv
Teaching Improv: How do I help students make their scenes more interesting?
Teaching Improv: How do I help students create specific environments within their scenes?
Click here for tips and resources for how to teach drama online.
Looking for a children’s musical for your upcoming camp or school year? Check out our selection of award-winning, high-quality plays for kids to perform.
We’re dedicated to helping you with everything drama-related. If you have a comment or a question, leave it below or send us an email and we’ll respond the best we can!
Joanne Ryan
Jun 30, 2013 at 12:00 pm
your site is amazing and is going to make summer camp so much fun for all my students! Thank you!
bbbpress
Jul 1, 2013 at 2:35 pm
You’re very welcome, glad we could help! Stay tuned for many more games to come…
milissa mulligan
Oct 3, 2013 at 6:20 pm
this website has changed my life. I love you.
Meg
Sep 8, 2013 at 5:20 pm
I’m preparing a game for a class of around 25, 14-15 year old’s what game would you suggest.
Thank you
Meg
bbbpress
Sep 9, 2013 at 5:45 pm
I’d recommend games in the creativity/improv category. Perhaps start with something easy like “On the spot” or “Stream of Consciousness”, then into the “Expert” and “Talk Show Expert”, then maybe more long form games like “Emotion Party”, “Status” and “Grab a Slip”. These types of games seem to work really well with that age group. The trickiest part is encouraging them not to just go for an easy laugh (although that’s fine in the beginning) but instead to let the comedy come from believable, unique characters.
Ara
Sep 16, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Hi there,
I am teaching a group of 3-4 year olds. It is my first time teaching this age group. We are supposed to be a ‘theatre’ class, but I’m finding it very difficult to adapt the games I know to their level (they can’t do ‘what are you doing?’). Any suggestions?
bbbpress
Sep 30, 2013 at 2:45 am
Hi Ara, you’re right, most of these games are definitely intended for kids 6 and up. For kids 3-4, I’d maybe recommend some super simple story games. Perhaps you could read a story, and choose kids to help “act out” the characters. You could point to a child here and there and ask them to say one line as “the character”. Or even just make a sound as that character. By narrating and having the kids react to the different emotions of the story, it’ll be a good primer for when they start doing more serious games. There’s also a lot of simple songs and call-and-response activities that I’m sure they’d enjoy.
Mara
Nov 3, 2013 at 2:21 am
For 3-4 yr olds, I’ve found they can do What Are You Doing? if you change the question to What Should I Do? And if you do some full group practice of pretending to do do simple, everyday tasks.
bbbpress
Oct 14, 2015 at 9:47 am
Hi Ara, you spoke and we listened. We just released a NEW resource that is completely dedicated to teaching kids 3-7 years old. You can check it out here:
http://www.bbbpress.com/teaching-drama-to-little-ones/
Roser
Sep 7, 2016 at 11:31 am
I purchased the book Teaching Drama (to little ones), and I want to express my congratulations to all your team. The book is amazing and very easily adapted to ESL drama students.
Thank you very much for this wonderful resource!
Oddvar Husby
Sep 26, 2013 at 8:32 pm
What a wonderful website!
Thank you for sharing these games and advices.
What games would you recommend for a group aged 9-12?
bbbpress
Sep 30, 2013 at 2:47 am
This age responds really well to Conducted Story, One Word Story, and all the Creativity/Improv type games, starting simple then getting more elaborate the more comfortable they get.
Corinna
Sep 30, 2013 at 12:19 am
Love your site and love your games!
bbbpress
Sep 30, 2013 at 2:49 am
Thanks, hope your students love them too! :)
Claire
Oct 17, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Loved this site! So many GREAT games.
Hayden
Oct 17, 2013 at 5:49 pm
It’s enormous that you are getting ideas from this article as
well as from our discussion made at this place.
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Oct 31, 2013 at 2:56 am
Hi, I desire to subscribe for this weblog to get newest updates, therefore where can i do it please help.
bbbpress
Oct 31, 2013 at 4:39 am
Hi, you can subscribe here to get weekly updates when new games are added. Thanks!
http://eepurl.com/BHOxn
Polly Ferguson
Nov 5, 2013 at 3:46 pm
Your website is really helpful. I have just started a Musical Theatre Group from 5-11 year olds. One group 5-7 and the other 8-11 yrs. My first session is on Saturday and I am finding great games on your site. Am just going to stick with a story on the sea this week and then we will use a play parachute to react big and small ways.
Can you suggest warm up songs for 5-7 yrs and the 8-11 yrs?
Thanks again for the site. Really is great.
Polly Ferguson
Nov 5, 2013 at 3:48 pm
*create
*waves.
Having a poor spelling day!
Preeti
Jan 16, 2014 at 11:26 am
Your website is great, I learnt many interesting games and even the ones I was already familiar with had some nice additions and suggestions on your web page. thanks so much !
ELRIZA
Jan 21, 2014 at 11:27 am
Thank u soooooooo much for the amazing site!!!! love the games and everything. It would be a great help if you could give some topics/examples of lessons for classes…pupils age 14 and up! Only a suggestion! but tnx again for fab site…best yet on inet….ive been through them all and its always the usual old stuff.
bbbpress
Jan 23, 2014 at 11:10 pm
Hi Elriza, thanks for your comment! We just released a brand new resource that provides examples of 16 drama lessons…using some of the games from this blog. Definitely appropriate for teens as well as young children. Check it out here: http://www.bbbpress.com/teaching-drama-to-kids-lesson-plans/
Radhika Rao
Feb 11, 2014 at 6:43 pm
This is amazing! Thank you so much! Ordered my books and feel so empowered! How do I sign up for your weekly updates?
bbbpress
Feb 12, 2014 at 5:35 am
Glad you feel empowered…that’s our goal! You can sign up for the updates here: http://eepurl.com/BHOxn
Matt Brewer
Feb 26, 2014 at 5:19 pm
Wow awesome tips! As a recent theatre graduate I am so exciting to get started with a career in directing! This really helps!
Zoe
Sep 1, 2014 at 11:22 pm
This sight is amazing! Drama is a new subject for me and I think I just stepped on gold with this site! Thank you for making it so accessible and helpful to planning.
bbbpress
Sep 2, 2014 at 5:43 pm
You’re very welcome…thanks for visiting!
Amanda Noronha
Sep 4, 2014 at 2:52 am
Kindly keep me updated on drama games.
bbbpress
Jan 19, 2015 at 11:48 pm
You can receive updates by joining our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/BHOxn
Will Rich
Oct 13, 2014 at 7:30 pm
Thank you so much for these theater games/materials. I am using quite a few for my 4th grade theater enrichment class. I usually have 6-7 students per class. It’s been quite fun so far!
bbbpress
Jan 19, 2015 at 11:50 pm
Thanks for discovering us…glad you’re having fun!
Kyaw Khaing Oo Myint
Jan 19, 2015 at 6:09 am
Hi, lady and gentlemen,
I am a teacher who is serving a voluntary in Monastic schools and private shcools in Myanmar. i am really happy to study Drama for children, young adults because i wanna use it as a subject.So, to make my children smart, i definitely need your help.
Best,
K2O
bbbpress
Jan 20, 2015 at 12:16 am
Sounds like incredible work that you’re doing. I hope you find our site helpful.
Mostafa Hashisha
Feb 1, 2015 at 10:28 am
I’m delivering a communications skills session for a 13 years old kids. They’re around 12. Can you recommend to me some games that fit in?
bbbpress
Feb 8, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Hi Mostafa. The “Gibberish” games are really great for working on communication skills. Perhaps you could warm up with something like “Stream of Consciousness ” or “The Expert” to get the students comfortable speaking without thinking too much. Hope this helps!
Meagan Mapson
Mar 5, 2015 at 9:23 am
These are such great games!
Do you have any recommendations for a Mystery Theatre themed class? Thanks!!
Creeklife
Mar 16, 2015 at 2:06 pm
Whoa, that’s quite the list of drama tips. Will have to try these out with my kids sometime! Nice work! =)
Vanessa Byrne
Mar 23, 2015 at 8:16 am
Hi there,
Your site is so useful. Thank you! I was wondering if you could help me or point me in the right direction. I am a drama teacher and am trying to organise our end of year performance. I cannot find a suitable short play (15-20mins) for my 9-12 year old group. Have you any ideas at all!!
Thank you! Vanessa
bbbpress
Jun 19, 2015 at 9:53 am
Hi Vanessa, consider taking a look at our musical “Journey of the Noble Gnarble”. It’s only 20-25 minutes long and has great parts for your older 12 year olds and younger 9 year olds. You can download the persual script for free here:
http://www.bbbpress.com/musicals/journey-of-the-noble-gnarble/
Rayford
May 15, 2015 at 12:16 am
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to see this website all the time because it offers quality contents, thanks
Laura
Jun 1, 2015 at 10:20 pm
Hey there! What a great web page! Thanks for sharing such Great ideas.
Lloyd
Jul 8, 2015 at 11:16 pm
I love your site also. A question- I’ve always had trouble with my elementary school drama club- when I’m giving them their blocking for the play, they hardly ever want to write it down. I’ve explained why it’s important and given them the abbreviations but, they are still mostly not interested in writing anything down. Suggesting? Thank you for your help in advance!
Jeff
Sep 9, 2015 at 1:16 am
I’m about to start teaching theater in Prague to help children fortify and build confidence in their English speaking abilities. This website has been a wonderful tool in helping me find and recollect simple to intermediate theater games.
My question comes a few days before my first class: I feel like I’ve done enough research already, but I’m wondering what games you would suggest I start out with, given that there’s a possibility that some of the children have NO English proficiency whatsoever. I guess I’m just worried about being able to explain anything slightly complex verbally, and I’d prefer to demonstrate easy games using as few words as possible. Do you have any suggestions or tips?
I’m sure I’ll be fine, but I would greatly appreciate any advice you may have. I’m so excited.
Thank you so much for all the help.
-Jeff
bbbpress
Sep 10, 2015 at 11:02 am
Here are some games I’d recommend that require very little instruction: Whoosh, Mirror Activities, Rain Storm, Sound and Motion, Exaggeration Circle, Pass the Pulse, Bucket of Water, Orchestra of Sound & Emotion, Gibberish Games, Yes Let’s. To get them to start speaking, Introductions and Applause, or any other simple names games or repetitive games. Hope this helps, best of luck with your first year!
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Maria Dawson
Nov 18, 2015 at 6:46 pm
Hi,
Your website is really informative. I’ve been a drama teacher for over 20 years. This year I am teaching ages 4-17 (creative dramatics/improv). I thought I had seen it all until I came upon your website. Thanks for giving me a new arsenal of games & ideas.
Maria Dawson
Lizette Strydom
Jan 7, 2016 at 7:52 am
Hi There! I love your site. It really is helpful. I am about to start teaching a group of 5 – 9 year olds. Which games would you suggest?
bbbpress
Jan 18, 2016 at 10:20 am
Hi Lizette! 5 – 9 year olds is quite a range, I think you may find activities that work for 5-6 year olds may be a bit simplistic for 9-year olds, and ones that excite the 9-year olds may be too complicated for 5-year olds. If the class is mostly older, you may find the younger ones able to step up to some more advanced activities. If the class is mostly younger, chances are that will be more difficult. I’d start by aiming for the 7-9 year olds and seeing how the little ones do. If you haven’t already, check out our Teaching Drama eBook with pre-made lessons plans to get you started: http://www.bbbpress.com/teaching-drama-to-kids-lesson-plans/ Let us know how it goes!
Jon
Feb 5, 2016 at 8:20 am
Might I suggest the addition of “Kitty Wants a Corner”? Awesome site.
Heather Appel
Aug 9, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Hi I’m a parent volunteer and I will be teaching an after school drama club for one hour, once a week, for eight weeks to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. I’d like to put on a production but I do not think we will have time. I’m not really sure where I’m going to go with this class and I’d really appreciate any thoughts or feedback.
bbbpress
Aug 11, 2016 at 11:42 am
Hi Heather, if you don’t feel you’ll have time for a full production, an alternative is to work towards an end of semester presentation for the parents that involves 1) drama games 2) songs and 3) scenes/monologues for each student. You can start the presentation with some warm-ups and games, even having the kids lead a few of them. Then every student should have a scene or monologue to perform. You can mix in 2-3 group songs throughout the presentation.
We actually have a brand new book of scenes perfect for young actors that will be coming out this month…so stay tuned!
Here are some resources that may be helpful:
8 Tips for a Successful Sharing Day
http://www.bbbpress.com/2013/12/teaching-drama-8-tips-for-a-successful-drama-sharing-day/
Individual Songs for Kids to Perform
http://www.bbbpress.com/songs-for-kids/
Contemporary Monologues for Kids
http://www.bbbpress.com/monologues-for-kids-teens/
Heather Appel
Aug 17, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Thank you so much for your suggestions. I think presentation idea is perfect and a great way to get my feet wet. Thanks for the resources and I’m very interested in the book!
susie
Oct 17, 2016 at 2:46 am
Hi guys…..your site is so helpful and easy to use, Thanks! any suggestions on a short Christmas performance for 10-13 yr olds?
bbbpress
Oct 17, 2016 at 3:22 pm
Hi Susie, we have a 35-minute Christmas musical perfect for that age group called ‘TWAS THE WEEK AFTER CHRISTMAS. You can read it for free here => http://www.bbbpress.com/musicals/christmas-play-twas-the-week/
We also have a short Nativity play called WOW that you can find here: http://www.bbbpress.com/holiday/christmas-play-for-kids-wow/
vainglory
Oct 28, 2016 at 12:42 am
You can start the presentation with some warm-ups and games, even having the kids lead a few of them. Thanks Sir.
Isabel Muñoz
Nov 29, 2016 at 11:17 am
I’m writing from Spain, as an English teacher. I think your web and your proposals are really useful.
Thanks a lot!
Becci Mason
Mar 3, 2017 at 6:29 am
Your site is so useful i use it every week for my drama teaching. So great to find a sit with good variations, new games and exercises. I’ve been teaching Drama 16 years and always on the look out for new stuff or good reminders of old stuff i haven’t done for ages. A big help thank you!
Tamara
Mar 6, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Hallo
I purchased drama ebook activities for kids age3-7. Just wanted to say big thank you for creating such wonderful activities ! My son who is autistic absolutely loves them , and to my great surprise he is acting out so well! I did not realize he was good at drama before I introduced him to your activities . We joined a local drama class and he is doing so well there thanks to your drama games which we do daily . First time I got so much eye contact and interaction from him, than you!
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Vanessa
Jan 26, 2018 at 2:58 pm
What would you recommend for a group at is a mix of K-8th? We don’t expect too many K-1st to sign up for the program, but we want to make sure the little ones are not overwhelmed by a new experience.
Phephile Mvelo Ndhlovu
Feb 25, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Hallo m interested in viewing your stuff on Drama games for kids its seems really interesting…
Anna
Mar 21, 2018 at 12:40 pm
Hi, I am going to be teaching ten children ages 7-10. I need an activity that will last the duration of 30 min. Any suggestions?
Shivani
Apr 3, 2018 at 9:48 am
Really
Very helpful
Useful
Best ideas for drama activities
One word actually two
Big thanks 🤗
Terri L. Payk
May 26, 2018 at 5:12 pm
Thank you SO much for all of these ideas. I am a middle and high school English teacher, and we are about to start final exams so I am up to my ears in grading. At the same time, I am supposed to have lessons plans for two classes of Improv (Grades 3-5; Grades 6-10) at our school’s Camp for the five days right after school gets out, and these lesson plans are due today. It is not an exaggeration to say that your site has saved me. Thank you so much!
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Leslie
Sep 20, 2018 at 5:56 am
Hello!
I am a first time Drama Club sponsor at the middle school level. I’m looking for the best activities to develop skills that will hopefully lead to us doing a play by the end of the year. What would you suggest are the best activities to do with them?
Thanks!
bbbpress
Sep 20, 2018 at 9:50 am
Hi Leslie, I’d recommend taking a look at Teaching Drama: The Essential Handbook – it’s the perfect way to begin developing skills with your young actors: http://www.bbbpress.com/teaching-drama-to-kids-lesson-plans/
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Kristy
Feb 11, 2019 at 5:27 am
Wow! This is such a great list. I’m wondering which games are the most active that I could use for my Active Kids classes that are all about making fitness fun?
Thanks,
Kristy
Muthiah
May 1, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Would like to connect with my two year old granddaughter through improv
Any suggestions
Judy de Perla
May 6, 2019 at 5:22 am
I purchased Teaching Improv – The essential Handbook several weeks ago. I downloaded a few chapters and then chose to wait to download the remainder. I can’t access it on my computer now. Can you help? Check and make sure that all the financial info went through correctly? Help me by resending?
Clare
Jun 25, 2019 at 2:31 am
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Ellie Crowe
Jun 9, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Great website! Do you have any online virtual groups for kids? My granddaughter is 13 and at home in Orlando during the Corona virus. She loves singing and acting and an online class or group would be great.
L Wood
Jun 14, 2020 at 2:55 pm
I am covering an unplanned class and have little experience in this area. You have saved me! Fantastic games and activities, thank you so much :)
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