Many kids struggle to learn Spanish while sitting at a desk. They fidget. They lose focus. They get bored. Some refuse worksheets altogether. Others start strong, then their attention slowly drifts away.

For these kids, the problem is not motivation. It is the format.

Movement-based Spanish activity games solve a very real issue.
They let kids learn Spanish words while moving, touching, pointing, running, laughing, and acting things out. 

Learning becomes active instead of passive. Spanish becomes something they experience and enjoy, not something they have to sit through.

This lesson shows how to teach kids Spanish words without them having to sit at a desk or memorize vocabulary lists, using fun, simple physical activity games that work at home, in classrooms, indoors, and with groups of kids. 

You can use these Spanish vocabulary games alongside other language learning activities to add variety to a child’s learning routine and keep Spanish lessons dynamic, enjoyable, and engaging.

 

Why Movement is a Powerful Way For Kids to Learn Spanish

When kids move, their brains wake up.

Physical movement increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
More oxygen means the brain works better.
Focus improves. Energy rises. Mood lifts. Learning Spanish becomes easier.

Movement also activates more senses at the same time. The child hears the Spanish word. They see the object or color. They move their body. They feel excitement or success. All of this happens together. The brain links these experiences into one stronger memory.

This is called multisensory learning. It simply means learning through more than one sense at once. The more senses involved, the easier it is to remember a new Spanish word later.

Movement also triggers dopamine. Dopamine is a brain chemical connected to feeling good, motivation, and also learning. When kids move and succeed at a task, dopamine increases. That tells the brain, “This feels good. This is worth paying attention to.” Memory improves when learning feels rewarding instead of stressful.

This is why, for kids, learning Spanish through movement is both fun and also helps the new words stick better.

 

Which Types of Kids Do Movement-based Spanish Word Games Work Best For?

These fun Spanish games work for almost any child. They are easy to adapt for different ages and settings.

They are especially helpful for kids who won’t sit still, get bored easily, hate worksheets or vocabulary drills, are energetic or hyperactive, or are kinesthetic learners who learn by doing. It's also great for groups of kids in classrooms or homeschool settings. Almost all kids can enjoy these games, due to their interactive an engaging nature.

They are also great for indoor play. Many Spanish games kids can play indoors still involve movement. You do not need a big space or special materials. Most games are completely free and easy to organize in any location. Some can even be played while on a road trip, at the park, or going shopping together.

 

How to Keep Spanish Activity Games For Kids Fun and Not Chaotic

Movement does not mean chaos.

The key is structure.

Use short bursts. Switch activities quickly. Stop while kids are still enjoying it. Five minutes of movement is often enough.

Gently remind kids of the rules if they forget or start to improvise.

Spanish physical activity games work best when they are mixed with calmer activities. For example, you might read a bilingual story with the kids for 20 minutes, then play a movement game for 5–10 minutes, then return to a calm coloring in activity or worksheet. This contrast keeps kids alert and prevents boredom or overload.

Fast switching helps too. Call out a word. Let them move. Switch again. This keeps attention high without letting energy spiral out of control.

Clear rules matter. Simple rules. One task at a time. Start and stop signals. This makes movement feel safe and predictable, even for wild groups.

 

How Spanish Activity Games Fit into a Full Spanish Learning Routine

Physical movement activity games are great for introducing and reinforcing Spanish words. They help kids remember vocabulary, associate it with fun memories and experiences, and feel confident.

They work even better when combined with other activities. For example, words from a story can be used in a movement game. Objects from a movie scene can become targets. Actions from a story can be acted out.

This cross-reinforcement helps words stick from different angles. The child reads the word in a story, hears it, sees it, moves with it, and uses it.
Each pass strengthens the memory of that Spanish word.

Now let’s look at specific Spanish activity games and how to play them.

 

10 Fun Spanish Vocabulary Activity Games for Kids

 

1. Simon Says / Simón Dice (Spanish Edition)

This is a classic game that works beautifully for Spanish.

How to play:
The leader gives commands starting with “Simón dice.” Kids only move if the phrase is used. If "John dice" is used instead or just the command without "Simón dice" the kids don't move.

Use Spanish words mixed with English at first.
“Simón dice touch your cabeza.”
“Simón dice jump.”
“Simón dice toca tu nariz.”
“Simón dice recoge la bola azul.”
“Toca la mesa.” (No Simón dice.)

Kids learn body parts, actions, colors, objects, and listening skills.

 

Tips:

If you do not speak Spanish yet, prepare a short list of words and commands in advance that you can glance at while playing.

Use slow pacing for beginners, then speed up later as kids become more comfortable.

Switch leaders regularly to keep interest high and give kids a sense of ownership.

Mix colors, objects, numbers, body parts, and actions so children learn a variety of useful, everyday words.

At first, use only Spanish words you have already explained so kids know what you are asking them to do. Introduce about five to seven new Spanish words per game.

If the kids do not yet understand the Spanish words, play the game in a bilingual way. Say the command first in English, then in Spanish. Once they are used to hearing both languages, switch to Spanish only.

For example:
“Simón dice touch your nose. Toca tu nariz.”
Later, after three to five repetitions, switch to:
“Simón dice toca tu nariz.”

This classic vocabulary game works especially well for groups and classrooms and is easy to adapt for different ages and levels.

 

2. Treasure Hunt: Find the Spanish Word

Kids love this game.

How to play:
Call out a Spanish word.
“Find los zapatos.”
“Find something rojo.”

Kids run to find the item and bring it back.

This teaches vocabulary through action. The word becomes connected to movement and success.

Tips:
Works well indoors.
Use household items or classroom objects.
Great for restless kids.

 

3. Touch-the-Color Game

Call out a color in Spanish.
Kids run to touch something that color.

“Azul.”
“Rojo.”
“Verde.”

Fast. Simple. Effective.

Variation:
Use shapes, objects, or textures.

 

4. Touch-the-Object Game

Choose five Spanish words.
Call them out quickly, one after another.

“Almohada.”
“Pared.”
“Cama.”
“Libro.”
“Puerta.”

Kids dash to touch each object.

This builds fast recall and keeps energy high.

 

5. The Spanish Dance Game

Assign a movement to each word.
Hop for perro.
Spin for gato.
Clap for libro.

Call out words in random order.
Kids move accordingly.

Acting out words activates movement and imagination together. This strengthens memory and makes learning playful (Speer et al., 2009).

 

6. Grocery Shopping Spanish Game: Spot It and Choose It

Grocery shopping is a perfect opportunity to practice Spanish without setting aside extra “lesson time.”

Kids are already moving, looking around, and curious. You can turn the trip into a calm Spanish game that feels like a scavenger hunt.

Start with Spanish words your child already knows, or use a bilingual approach at first. Point to items and say both languages.

“Look, green bell peppers. Mira los pimientos verdes.”
“Where are the red tomatoes? ¿Dónde están los tomates rojos?”
“Can you find three onions? ¿Puedes encontrar tres cebollas?”
“Do you like garlic? ¿Te gusta ajo?”
“Do you see the orange pineapple? ¿Ves la piña naranja?”

After a few repetitions, switch to asking in English but naming the item in Spanish:

“Can you find the cebollas?”

"Do you want ajo o chicle?" (Do you want garlic or chewing gum? Giving a funny “good vs. bad” choice helps kids want to remember the words, so they can avoid, even jokingly, ending up with garlic instead of a sweet.)

“Do you see the piña?”

Later, if the child is comfortable, ask in Spanish only:

“¿Dónde están los tomates?”
“Encuentra tres cebollas.”

Keep the mood light. Let them point, grab, or place items in the cart. Praise effort, not accuracy.

A small reward at the end helps too. That can be choosing a snack, tasting a fruit, or simply saying, “You did great helping today. Thanks to you we'll have a yummy dinner with all the right ingredients! And you get chewing gum, not garlic.”

This game works because the words are tied to real objects the child can see, touch, and use. Spanish stops being abstract and becomes practical.

 

7. Out-and-About Spanish Game: Spot Words in Real Life

Any outing can become a Spanish game. A walk to the park, a field trip, a road trip, or time in the city all provide endless chances to practice vocabulary naturally.

Start by pointing things out in a bilingual way.

“Look, a brown dog. Mira un perro marrón.”
“See the big tree. Mira el árbol grande.”
“That car is red. Ese coche es rojo.”

After a short while, ask questions in English using the Spanish word.

“Where is the perro marrón?”
“Who can spot the árbol?”
“Do you see the coche rojo?”

Later, switch more and more into Spanish.

“¿Dónde está el perro?”
“¿De qué color es el coche?”
“¿Cuántos árboles ves?”

Good questions to use:
Where is X?
What color is X?
Who can spot X?
Is X big or small?
How many Xs do you see?

This game works well with groups of kids too. Turn it into a friendly challenge. Who spots it first. Who answers correctly. Keep it playful and short.

Because the words appear in real life, with visuals, sights, and sounds attached, kids remember them better and recognize them again later.

 

8. Act-It-Out Pantomime Verb Game

This game is simple and powerful.

Say a verb and let kids act it out.

“Correr.” They run.
“Dormir.” They pretend to sleep.
“Comer.” They mime eating.
“Saltar.” They jump.

You can start bilingual, then switch to Spanish only.

Mix fast and slow actions. Add silly ones. Let kids suggest verbs once they are comfortable.

This helps kids connect Spanish words to actions their bodies already know.

 

9. Freeze Game

This is a great way to calm things down while still using movement.

Say a Spanish word. Kids move freely. Then say “freeze.” They freeze in a pose that matches the word.

“Perro.” Freeze into a silly dog pose.
“Árbol.” Freeze tall and still.
“Avión.” Freeze with arms out.

This game works well indoors and helps kids practice listening and self-control while learning vocabulary.

 

10. Follow-the-Leader in Spanish

One child or adult leads the group. Everyone follows the movements while naming actions or objects in Spanish.

“Camina.” Walk.
“Salta.” Jump.
“Gira.” Turn.
“Toca la cabeza.” Touch your head.

Switch leaders often. Kids love being in charge.

This game works well for classrooms, homeschool groups, and mixed-age kids.

 

How to Measure Progress and Tell if Kids are Learning Spanish Successfully Through Games

Spanish word games, physical movement games, activity games, and group games are not about perfection. They are about engagement.

Success looks like:
The child responds faster.
They laugh and participate.
They get more and more answers right with each round.
They recognize Spanish words outside the game.
They want to play again tomorrow.

If confusion continues, review a few key words in English and Spanish. Then try again later.

Some kids need fewer words at a time. That is normal.

If energy drops, stop early.

If mistakes happen, explain, gently correct, model again, and move on.

Spanish learned through fun games and movement feels fun and alive. That feeling is what keeps kids coming back for more.

Spanish vocabulary activity games are ideal for kids who get sleepy, bored, or restless during lessons. They help reset attention, increase focus, and bring energy back into learning.

Used regularly, these easy games make learning Spanish fun, enjoyable, and memorable.

 

Spanish Vocabulary Games Are a Powerful Start,  But They’re Not the Whole Picture

Spanish vocabulary games give words meaning through action, sound, sight, and feeling.
When a child runs, points, counts, laughs, or searches, the word is no longer abstract. It becomes real. That is why Spanish word games, activity games, listening games, and visual games are such a strong way to teach vocabulary.

They teach words.
They teach what words actually mean.

But once a child knows even two hundred Spanish words, a new question appears.

How do those words turn into real sentences?
How does a child learn where to place them, how to connect them, and how to understand full spoken or written Spanish?

Vocabulary words are like bolts and screws.
They are essential parts.
But bolts and screws alone do not make a car that can drive.

To build the full structure, children need to see how the words they already recognize are used together in real language. In full sentences. In conversations. In everyday situations. In stories.

That is where context comes in.

Stories show how words work together.
They show order, rhythm, and natural phrasing.
They quietly teach how words change, where they go in a sentence, and how meaning shifts depending on the situation.

This happens without studying rules.
Without grammar charts.
Without pressure.

Children absorb it by reading and listening.

That is why vocabulary games are a perfect starting point, whether they are movement-based, auditory, visual, or hands-on games. They open the door. But the next vital step is exposure to real Spanish in context.

One of the most effective ways to do this with kids is through bilingual or simple Spanish stories.

In stories, children see the words they already know used in many different ways.
They hear them spoken naturally.
They begin to understand full sentences long before they can explain how grammar works.

 

In What Order Should Vocabulary Games and Bilingual Stories Be Used?

Bilingual English-Spanish stories can be used from the very beginning.
Because the meaning is always clear, they help children learn new words easily and comfortably.

Spanish-only stories work best later, when a child already understands most of what they hear or read. This would be usually around 60% to 80% of the words, depending on how complex or long the story is and if it has illustrations or not. At that point, children can follow along without stopping to translate every sentence.

Using bilingual stories alongside Spanish vocabulary games works beautifully in both directions.

Sometimes a child learns a word in a game first, then meets it again in a story.
Other times they hear it in a story, then strengthen that memory through play.

Either way, they learn the word and how to use it.

 

Free Play-Based Spanish Learning Resources for Kids

To make these games easy to use in real life, we’ve created a free printable resource that includes ready-to-use Spanish word lists, phrases, and questions for the games in this course.

You won’t need to translate anything or prepare materials yourself.
Each game comes with simple Spanish words, beginner-friendly commands, and bilingual prompts you can use right away at home or in the classroom.

This lets you focus on playing with the kids, not planning the lesson.

Below is a link to a free resources page designed specifically for play-based Spanish learning.

On this page, you’ll find:

• Free printable resources with Spanish vocabulary, English translations, questions, answers, hints, and step-by-step instructions for all 14 of these games
• Free printable PDFs with 100 more game ideas
• Free bilingual Spanish–English stories for kids
• Free bilingual audiobooks for listening practice
• Free printable Spanish word games and activity sheets
• Free Spanish game ideas you can use at home or in the classroom

These resources are meant to be mixed and matched. You can read a story, play a game, listen to audio, and return to the same words in different ways, without turning Spanish into a school-style task.

This keeps learning active, meaningful, and enjoyable, while steadily building Spanish understanding and fluency over time.