Interactive Games to Get Students Talking
By Tricia Lowe, Rohonda Black, Katessa Moody and Meredith Cole | September 2024
School counselors seek to create a safe and engaging environment where students feel comfortable opening up and sharing their thoughts, feelings, interests and experiences. However, sometimes traditional talk in groups can leave students struggling to connect with you and others in the group. Interactive games can facilitate the growth of a positive relationship between the school counselor and student, which is vital for building trust and fostering open and honest communication. That's where interactive games come into play to get students talking.
Why use interactive games in your counseling practice? They are powerful tools to help break the ice, build rapport, reduce anxiety and stimulate meaningful conversations. Incorporating interactive games yields the benefits of getting students talking, engaged, and working with one another. These games often involve players collaborating towards a common goal, which encourages conversation between individuals who may not typically have the opportunity to interact.
The M&M game “Getting to Know One Another” is a fun icebreaker game. Each participant receives a handful of M&M’s. Each color of M&M has a corresponding question to answer. For example, yellow might mean sharing about something you did this summer, green could be naming your favorite hobby, and brown could be describing your favorite food. Players take turns drawing an M&M from their stash and answering the question associated with its color, helping everyone learn more about each other in a lighthearted and engaging way.
This simple game requires minimal supplies – just markers/crayons and a paper plate or sheet of paper. First, set the stage: You have won a trip to a deserted island and can bring one family member and three items. Who and what will you bring? Give your students 3–5 minutes to draw their island. When the time is up, ask them to describe it and explain their reasoning for bringing what they chose. This game provides you with insight on who is important to the students and what they value. It is also an easy game to tailor to draw other information out of your students!
One of the primary benefits of using Jenga in counseling sessions is its ability to facilitate communication. Each turn in the game presents an opportunity for dialogue, whether it’s discussing the challenges of a particular subject, sharing feelings about personal struggles, or recounting experiences related to making friends. During this game, students take turns removing one block at a time from the tower. When the player successfully removes a block, they must answer a question based on the color of the block they chose. For example, if they choose a blue block, they answer a question related to their personal life. Other areas that may be addressed include hobbies, school life or “would you rather” questions, each represented by a different color.
Thia interactive game incorporates both play and music into your counseling session. We know that music alone can serve as a powerful therapeutic tool when utilized properly. All you will need for “Beach Me, Please!” is a large beach ball and a great playlist. Your music of choice can be played through your laptop or using a small bluetooth speaker and your phone. At the start of the music, students begin hitting the ball through the air to one another. The student holding the ball when the music stops chooses a question card. Question cards can be tailored for any group session that you are facilitating. For example, a question card for an anger management group may be “How does your body feel when you are angry?” “Beach Me, Please!” can be played at any point in a group session – as an opening, a middle transitioning exercise, or a closing. Whenever you decide to incorporate it, your students are guaranteed to enjoy and feel a sense of comfort sharing among their peers.
While playing interactive games, students develop a variety of connections with content, work on interpersonal communication skills, and often form positive memories of learning while interacting with others in the group. Interactive games can promote active listening skills by encouraging students to focus on others' words, thoughts and emotions. They also help students develop empathy and understanding for others' perspectives and experiences. By incorporating interactive games into your counseling practice, you will create a more engaging and interactive learning environment that encourages students to talk and share ideas, feelings, interests and beliefs, all while having fun.
Tricia Lowe is a school counselor at Scott Elementary – An IB World School in Temple, Texas; Rohonda Black is a school counselor at Cater Elementary in Temple, Texas; Katessa Moody is a school counselor at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School in Houston, Texas; and Meredith Cole is a school counselor at Bonham Middle School in Temple, Texas.
Why use interactive games in your counseling practice? They are powerful tools to help break the ice, build rapport, reduce anxiety and stimulate meaningful conversations. Incorporating interactive games yields the benefits of getting students talking, engaged, and working with one another. These games often involve players collaborating towards a common goal, which encourages conversation between individuals who may not typically have the opportunity to interact.
Getting to Know You with M&M’s
Getting to Know You with M&M’s
Survival Island
This simple game requires minimal supplies – just markers/crayons and a paper plate or sheet of paper. First, set the stage: You have won a trip to a deserted island and can bring one family member and three items. Who and what will you bring? Give your students 3–5 minutes to draw their island. When the time is up, ask them to describe it and explain their reasoning for bringing what they chose. This game provides you with insight on who is important to the students and what they value. It is also an easy game to tailor to draw other information out of your students!
Survival Island
Jenga
One of the primary benefits of using Jenga in counseling sessions is its ability to facilitate communication. Each turn in the game presents an opportunity for dialogue, whether it’s discussing the challenges of a particular subject, sharing feelings about personal struggles, or recounting experiences related to making friends. During this game, students take turns removing one block at a time from the tower. When the player successfully removes a block, they must answer a question based on the color of the block they chose. For example, if they choose a blue block, they answer a question related to their personal life. Other areas that may be addressed include hobbies, school life or “would you rather” questions, each represented by a different color.
Jenga
Beach Me, Please!
Thia interactive game incorporates both play and music into your counseling session. We know that music alone can serve as a powerful therapeutic tool when utilized properly. All you will need for “Beach Me, Please!” is a large beach ball and a great playlist. Your music of choice can be played through your laptop or using a small bluetooth speaker and your phone. At the start of the music, students begin hitting the ball through the air to one another. The student holding the ball when the music stops chooses a question card. Question cards can be tailored for any group session that you are facilitating. For example, a question card for an anger management group may be “How does your body feel when you are angry?” “Beach Me, Please!” can be played at any point in a group session – as an opening, a middle transitioning exercise, or a closing. Whenever you decide to incorporate it, your students are guaranteed to enjoy and feel a sense of comfort sharing among their peers.Beach Me, Please!
While playing interactive games, students develop a variety of connections with content, work on interpersonal communication skills, and often form positive memories of learning while interacting with others in the group. Interactive games can promote active listening skills by encouraging students to focus on others' words, thoughts and emotions. They also help students develop empathy and understanding for others' perspectives and experiences. By incorporating interactive games into your counseling practice, you will create a more engaging and interactive learning environment that encourages students to talk and share ideas, feelings, interests and beliefs, all while having fun.
Tricia Lowe is a school counselor at Scott Elementary – An IB World School in Temple, Texas; Rohonda Black is a school counselor at Cater Elementary in Temple, Texas; Katessa Moody is a school counselor at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School in Houston, Texas; and Meredith Cole is a school counselor at Bonham Middle School in Temple, Texas.