English grammar for kids: verb can games

how to play

This is a fun question game for 2 players (or teams). In this game, there is one person asking questions (Player Q) and the other person answering questions (Player A). You can play this game using a board with cards, or game boards only (one for each player).


Printable games to practise English grammar
Grammar games to revise English verbs

  • Decide who will be Player Q and Player A.
  • Player Q gets a game board. Player A selects an envelope, takes out the cards and fans them in his or her hand secretly.
  • Player Q has to guess the secret set by asking yes/no questions, for example, Can he play football?
  • According to the given answers, Player Q eliminates the pictures on his/her game board until he or she finds out the secret set.

Game varations. The game can be played on two boards, one for each player. Player A marks his or her secret set of pictures, then Player Q tries to guess the secret set by process of elimination.

  • One kid secretly chooses one of the six sets of pictures without telling their partner.
  • The partner must guess which set has been chosen by asking Can he / she ...? and working out by elimination which set it must be.

preparation


  • Print out a game board and sets of playing cards. Laminate for future use.
  • Cut out the individual cards, fold them and glue. Learn more how to prepare our cards (pdf). They are double-sided.
  • Before playing the game revise or pre-teach the names of all the items on the board and cards.
  • If you play the game using a board with cards, you will need an envelope for each card set.

ideas for classroom games


  • Depending on your needs and goals, you can use the playing cards to play different games such as memory, matching or guessing games.
  • You are welcome to add your own ideas. For some suggestions, check out our 22 Flashcards Games handbook (pdf).

Flashcards and posters to teach the verb can in English.

Fun, challenging activities to practise the verb can in English.