Stations are a great way to give students a variety of practice during a class period or even over two class periods. Once your students experience stations a few times, they quickly transition into the routine, maximizing class time with high levels of engagement. There are so many valuable station games and activities that you can use in your Spanish classes.
Whether you’re teaching Spanish classes in middle school or high school, stations activities offer a flexible and interactive way to review content, introduce new words, and strengthen language skills. These comprehensive stations provide opportunities for both independent work and collaborative learning in small groups.
Here’s a collection of favorite station games and activities that work beautifully for stations in world language classrooms. These station games and activities range from no prep to low prep to a little more prep.
List of Station Games and Activities
1. Bananagrams (Spanish Version)
This popular game is a fun twist on Scrabble, encouraging students to build Spanish words independently. It’s low prep and self-paced, making it ideal for novice learners. Students can work in smaller groups or pairs to form as many correct words as possible, using their vocabulary reference sheets.
2. Entrevistas Persona Especial Conversation Cards
This station activity focuses on speaking skills. Students use creative ways to ask and answer questions in the target language. The cards come with both Spanish and English versions, making them accessible for all levels. It’s a great interactive way to build confidence in speaking!
3. ¡SEIS!
A favorite activity among Spanish students, ¡SEIS! combines speed and vocabulary recall. Using a dry erase board, students race to write correct words or phrases in Spanish. Whether it’s vocabulary, verb conjugations, or phrases, this game keeps energy high and students motivated.
4. ¡Qué memoria! – Memory Game
A memory game is perfect for students who need a little more time to process. Use Spanish words with pictures or Spanish-English translations for vocabulary review. It’s an excellent way to reinforce connections in the learning process. Check out some of the games I’ve created here.
5. Vocabulary Puzzles
Puzzles are great tools for critical thinking and vocabulary practice. Use puzzles with images and Spanish-speaking countries themes, or create custom sets for body parts, past tense verbs, or any unit vocabulary.
6. Quizlet
Quizlet is a best way to integrate technology into stations. Students can practice with flashcards, play games, or participate in Quizlet Live in groups of four. This low-prep tool offers different activities for high engagement.
7. Carrera Board Game
This game board activity is fantastic for high school and middle school students alike. Students roll dice and either identify the correct word or create sentences based on where they land. It’s a great interactive way to practice vocabulary and grammar in smaller groups.
8. Doodle Questions
For a no-prep lifesaver, Doodle Questions are a fun choice. Students decode messages or identify new vocabulary words, then illustrate their meanings. It’s a great way to incorporate creative ways to review while catering to students who enjoy art.
9. Matamoscas
Matamoscas (literally “fly killer”) is a fun and dynamic Spanish game designed to reinforce vocabulary and language skills. In this game, students compete to “swat” the correct word or image on the board as the teacher calls out a word in Spanish. The game is typically played in teams or small groups, where students use fly swatters or simply point to the correct answer. It’s a great way to practice vocabulary, verb conjugations, or even sentence structure in a highly engaging, competitive format. This game can be adapted for any level of language learners, making it a versatile and interactive activity for your classroom. Check out all of my no-prep game cards here.
10. Roll a story
Students roll a die to determine elements of a story, such as characters, settings, and actions, from a provided chart. Using their results, they create and write a short story in the target language. This low-prep, creative activity helps students practice writing, expand vocabulary, and use different grammar structures in a fun and engaging way.
11. Verb Conjugation Relay
Students work in smaller groups to complete a verb conjugation relay. Each group member writes one conjugation of a verb in the target language before passing the marker to the next student. The first group to conjugate all the verbs correctly wins! Use dry erase boards or paper for this fast-paced activity.
12. Spin the Wheel Vocabulary Game
Set up a spinner (digital or physical) with categories like body parts, past tense verbs, or Spanish-speaking countries. Students take turns spinning the wheel and answering questions or creating sentences related to the category. This is a great interactive way to review different vocabulary words.
13. Sentence Building Challenge
Provide students with a set of word cards (verbs, nouns, and adjectives) in the target language. In their small groups, they race to create as many grammatically correct sentences as possible within a set time. Bonus points for sentences that use new words or include correct translations.
14. Gallery Walks
Students rotate around the classroom to observe images, questions, or prompts posted on the walls. At each “station,” they write responses, translate Spanish words, or answer questions in the target language. This activity promotes movement and engagement while reinforcing vocabulary and comprehension skills.
15. Sentence Scramble
Provide students with words or phrases from a sentence written in random order. Their task is to rearrange the words to form a grammatically correct sentence in Spanish. This activity builds grammar awareness and helps students identify the correct word order in the target language.
16. Fortune Teller
Using the classic folded paper fortune teller, students write questions, verbs, or vocabulary inside the flaps. They pair up, take turns using the fortune teller, and answer the question or conjugate the verb they reveal. This is a fun, interactive way to review vocabulary or grammar in small groups.
17. Conversation Strips
Students are given strips of paper with conversation prompts in Spanish. They take turns responding to the prompts with a partner or small group. This activity encourages speaking in the target language and helps students build confidence in conversations.
18. Read and Draw
Students read a short passage, sentence, or vocabulary word in Spanish and draw a picture to represent what they read. This activity promotes comprehension and creativity, while helping visual learners connect meaning to the target language.
19. Reading
Provide students with a short story, cultural article, or comprehension-based text. They can answer questions, summarize in their own words, or identify new vocabulary. This activity is great for independent work and reinforces reading skills in the target language.
20. Listening
Students listen to a short audio clip, song, or teacher-recorded passage in Spanish. Afterward, they answer comprehension questions, fill in blanks, or summarize what they heard. This activity builds listening skills and helps students tune their ear to native speakers.
21. Writing
Students write sentences, paragraphs, or short stories using specific vocabulary or grammar prompts. For example, they might write about their favorite activities using verbs in the past tense or describe an imaginary Taco Tuesday. This is a versatile independent work activity that targets language skills.
22. Color by Number
Students read a passage in Spanish and answer comprehension or grammar questions. Their answers determine the correct colors to use for different sections of a coloring sheet. For example, students might color specific areas “yellow” for correct answers involving past tense verbs or “green” for the correct use of estar. This activity promotes comprehension and reinforces vocabulary or grammar in a fun and creative way.
23. Word searches
Students look for Spanish words hidden in a grid. You can tailor the word search to include unit vocabulary, Spanish-speaking countries, or phrases. This activity works well as a calming independent task or station activity.
24. Crosswords
Students solve a crossword puzzle by filling in the correct Spanish words based on clues or English translations. This activity reinforces spelling, new words, and recall in a fun, interactive way.
25. Quiz Quiz Trade
Students each receive a card with a question, vocabulary word, or conjugation task. They find a partner, ask their question, and discuss the correct answer. Then they trade cards and repeat with a new partner. This is a great interactive way to get the entire class speaking and thinking in Spanish.
26. Would You Rather Cards
Students receive cards with “Would you rather…” questions in Spanish. For example, “¿Prefieres vivir en la ciudad o en el campo?” Students answer and explain their choice, practicing speaking and critical thinking in the target language. Check out these set here.
27. Task Cards
Task cards feature questions, translations, or prompts in Spanish. Students rotate through the cards, completing tasks such as conjugating verbs, translating sentences, or writing their answers. These cards are versatile for independent work or small groups.
28. ¡Yo lo tengo! Bingo Sorting Cards
Students receive Yo lo tengo! bingo cards with images or phrases in Spanish. They match descriptions, words, or translations to the corresponding images on their cards. The first student to complete their card correctly wins. This activity is an engaging way to review vocabulary and make learning feel like a game night.
29. Bubble Verb Conjugation Posters
Students work with posters featuring bubble letters for a specific verb. They color the letters based on a key (e.g., blue for yo, red for él/ella). Then, they conjugate the verb in different forms and complete fill-in-the-blank questions to apply their knowledge. This activity blends creativity with grammar practice, making it a great tool for novice learners.
30. Mystery Bag Circumlocution
Students reach into a “mystery bag” filled with objects, mini flashcards, or images labeled in Spanish. Without looking, they pull out an item and either describe it, say its name in Spanish, or use it in a sentence. This tactile activity promotes vocabulary recall and creative thinking in the target language.
31. Comic Strips
Students are given blank comic strips and a set of vocabulary or grammar prompts. They create a short story or dialogue using the target language. For example, students might create a scene about a family’s daily routine, practicing verb conjugations and new words.
32. Continue the Sentence
Students are given a simple sentence in Spanish, such as “El gato corre.” Their task is to expand the sentence by adding details (e.g., “El gato negro corre rápidamente al parque para buscar comida.”). This activity encourages creative sentence building and helps students practice grammar and different vocabulary words.
33. Describe a photo
Provide students with images related to Spanish-speaking countries, everyday life, or cultural themes. Students write a description of the photo in Spanish, focusing on adjectives, verbs, and new words. For advanced learners, ask them to create a short story inspired by the image.
34. Tic-Tac-Toe Talk
Students play tic-tac-toe in pairs or groups. Each square contains a question, verb, or vocabulary prompt in Spanish. To claim a square, students must answer the question or use the prompt correctly in a sentence. This game integrates speaking skills and is a great interactive way to engage students.
35. Whiteboard Practice
Students use dry-erase boards to practice vocabulary, grammar, and sentence building in the target language. Activities include quick writes, verb conjugation races, drawing prompts, and sentence corrections. This low-prep, high-engagement station allows for instant feedback and works well for small groups or the entire class.
36. Barcos – Battleship
Barcos is a fun and interactive way to practice vocabulary and sentence structures in Spanish. Based on the classic Battleship game, students use a grid to “attack” their opponent’s ships by calling out coordinates in Spanish. Before playing, students place their ships on the grid, with each ship representing a set of vocabulary words, verb conjugations, or grammar points. When a player calls out the correct word or conjugation associated with a coordinate, they “hit” the opponent’s ship. The game encourages critical thinking, listening, and speaking in the target language, making it a highly engaging station game for Spanish classes of all levels.
Tips for Success with Station Games and Activities
- Group Size: Adapt the number of students per station based on class size to ensure optimal participation.
- Answer Keys: Provide answer keys for self-check activities like puzzles and memory games.
- Variety: Mix high-energy name games like Speedball with quiet, independent work activities for balance.
- Rotation: Use timers or interactive whiteboards to signal station transitions.
Why Stations Work
Stations offer an effective and engaging way to integrate a variety of activities into a Spanish classroom. The diverse range of station games and activities can enhance students’ language skills while keeping them actively involved. By rotating through different stations, students engage in hands-on learning experiences that cater to different learning styles and promote both individual and group collaboration. These activities provide an excellent opportunity to reinforce key vocabulary, grammar concepts, and speaking skills in an interactive environment. Whether you use high-energy games like Matamoscas or more structured exercises like Task Cards, stations keep students motivated and invested in their learning journey.
Station games and activities also encourage active learning, as they require students to participate in problem-solving, creative thinking, and language production. Whether through collaboration or independent work, students gain confidence in using Spanish in different contexts.
With all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why station games and activities are a fantastic choice for reinforcing language learning in Spanish classrooms of all levels.
IDEAS!
Do you use stations games and activities or have your own favorite activities for game night or Taco Tuesday? Share your creative ways in the comments below!
If you try these ideas, tag me on Instagram @lasecundaria_jac so I can see how your Spanish students are rocking their stations day!
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