Vocabulary Game Board
HOW to PLAY
YOU WILL NEED:
•
•
•
•
the game board
2-4 players
a stack of cards numbered 1-20
a stack of cards for your vocabulary words (each card should feature a different word)
RULES FOR PLAY:
1. Begin with the game board, the number stack, and a stack of cards for your vocabulary words. Shuffle the stacks.
2. Determine who is going to draw first. If necessary, play rock paper scissors to decide. Proceed counter-clockwise
for the rest of the game.
3. The first person who draws needs to choose a number card (each number 1-20 corresponds with a separate task
on the choice board). Then, once the task is determined, the player should draw a word.
4. Complete the task on the board for the word you have drawn. If you complete the task successfully without
looking at your notes, you earn a point. Can’t do it without consulting notes, a friend, or a teacher? You lose a
point. The person who has the highest score at the end of the game wins.
5. If you make it all the way through the stack and don’t have a winner or have extra time, re-shuffle the cards and
continue playing until time is called or until a winner is determined. In the event of a tie after time has been
called, the first person who advances a point ahead of the others wins.
***Keep in mind that many of the tasks on the board require you to think from a creative angle. Don’t be afraid to put on your
critical thinking hat and approach the word from a unique vantage point!
PLAYER NAME
Score Keeping
POINTS EARNED
POINTS LOST
TOTAL SCORE
1.
2.
3.
4.
©Reading & Writing Haven
Vocabulary
Game
Board
1
2
3
4
©Reading & Writing Haven
Pretend you are trying to
convince your teacher to
not assign homework or
a parent to let you stay
out late. Use this word in
your plea.
Define the word – using
your own phrasing.
Create a simile
comparing this word to
something it is not –
but that it is like.
What type of universe
(think fantasy and scifi) would this word fit
in best?
5
6
7
8
In one minute’s time,
illustrate this word.
List off four words that
this word is similar to in
meaning as well as four
words it is unlike.
Pretend this word has a
wardrobe. What colors
and types of clothes
would it prefer?
9
10
11
Use this word in a
sentence that makes sense
– but also include
alliteration! The
vocabulary word must be
part of the alliteration.
Create a multiple choice
or True/False quiz
question for this word,
and ask your group to
answer it.
If this word were to
commit a crime, what
crime would it most
likely commit? Why?
This word would win
the “Most likely to….”
award. Explain.
What part of speech is
this word, and what
other forms of it exist?
13
14
15
16
Give your group four
related words – three
synonyms and one
antonym. Have them
guess the antonym from
the list.
17
What age group would
most appreciate this
word: babies, toddlers,
adolescents, teens,
adults, or the elderly?
If this word were to
have a goal in life, what
would that goal be, and
why?
18
In what continent,
country, city would this
word enjoy living?
Explain your thinking.
12
Categorize this word
under a bigger umbrella.
Ex. - If your word is
“sheath,” you could
categorize it under the
umbrella of weapons.
Give a one minute
monologue about life,
love, death, or
friendship from this
word’s point of view.
If this word were to
transform into a person,
what special talents or
gifts would it possess?
In 90 seconds or less,
write a haiku poem
inspired by this word.
19
20
5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables
(doesn’t have to rhyme)
Vocabulary #s
©Reading & Writing Haven
Cut out and use as game pieces. These numbers correspond to squares / tasks on the game board.
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20