The Secret Word Game: A Low-Prep, High-Fun Activity for Any Season
Are you looking for an easy, no-prep game that you can play anytime with your upper elementary students? Whether you’re trying to fill a few minutes before recess or looking for a fun way to celebrate a seasonal holiday, I’ve got the perfect classroom game for you: Secret Word.
This crowd-pleasing game is a classroom favorite that gets your students moving, laughing, and thinking — all without needing any materials beyond a whiteboard or projector. If you're someone who loves incorporating classroom games into your routine (or wishes you had the time to do it more), then this one’s a must-try.
Let me walk you through how to play, how to adapt it for different seasons, and why it works so well with upper elementary students.
What Is the Secret Word Game?
Secret Word is a no-prep, low-stress classroom game that combines elements of charades and vocabulary-building. It’s especially great for:
Celebrating seasonal holidays
Brain breaks
Morning meetings
End-of-day wind-downs
Building community and laughter
And the best part? It requires no copies, no setup, and very little direction — just pick a word and go!
Basic Supplies Needed
Here’s what you need to play Secret Word:
A whiteboard, chalkboard, or digital projector
A list of seasonal or curriculum-based words (optional — you can also make them up on the fly!)
Willing students — check!
That’s it. Seriously.
How to Play Secret Word
This game works best with groups of about 5–30 students, making it ideal for the typical upper elementary classroom. Here’s how to set it up and play:
Step-by-Step Instructions
Choose one student to be "it."
Have this student come to the front of the classroom and stand with their back to the board.
Write the secret word on the board.
Make sure only the rest of the class can see it — the student who is “it” should not turn around.
Example seasonal words: “pumpkin,” “snowman,” “fireworks,” “heart,” “leprechaun.”
The rest of the class acts out the word — no talking!
Students must silently act out the secret word using gestures and movement.
Think of it as a group charades moment!
Give the guesser about 1 minute to figure it out.
If they don’t guess in time, you can allow the actors to start using single-word clues or sounds — but still no full sentences!
Once the word is guessed, choose a new student and repeat.
You can play as long as you want — it’s totally flexible!
Game Tips for Success
Use body language and facial expressions to act it out — it's hilarious and engaging!
Encourage all students to participate, even shy ones — they don’t have to be “it” to have fun.
Keep the pace moving so students stay excited and focused.
Why Teachers Love This Game
Let’s face it: sometimes you need something quick and fun to break up the day. Secret Word is a perfect choice because it:
Requires no printing or prep
Gets students up and moving
Builds classroom community
Encourages teamwork and non-verbal communication
Can be adapted for any season or subject
Whether you’re squeezing it into a five-minute transition or turning it into a full-blown class celebration, this game checks all the boxes.
Seasonal Themes to Try with Secret Word
What makes Secret Word so versatile is how easily you can theme it for different times of year. Below are some suggestions to make it festive and fun no matter the season.
Fall-Themed Words
Pumpkin
Scarecrow
Candy
Leaf pile
Apple pie
Winter-Themed Words
Snowman
Sleigh
Hot cocoa
Mittens
Snowball
Spring-Themed Words
Flower
Butterfly
Rain boots
Kite
Rainbow
Summer-Themed or End-of-Year Words
Sunglasses
Popsicle
Beach ball
Vacation
Fireworks
Pro Tip: Keep a running list of seasonal vocabulary on your phone or clipboard — that way, you’re always ready to play!
Modify the Game for Your Classroom
One of the best things about Secret Word is how easy it is to customize for your unique class. Here are a few teacher-tested ways to mix it up:
Curriculum Tie-Ins
Use academic vocabulary instead of seasonal words! For example:
Science: photosynthesis, gravity, ecosystem
Math: polygon, fraction, multiplication
ELA: simile, main idea, author
This makes the game both fun and standards-aligned!
Team Challenge Mode
Split the class into two teams. One team acts, the other team guesses. You can keep score for an added layer of excitement.
Writing Extension
After the game, have students write a short paragraph or story using 3–5 of the secret words. This is a great way to connect the fun to writing practice.
Why This Game Works So Well with Upper Elementary Students
Upper elementary students (especially in grades 3–5) thrive on movement, laughter, and a little bit of competition. Secret Word hits all of these while building social-emotional skills like:
Reading body language
Working collaboratively
Using context clues
Practicing self-control (not blurting out the answer too soon!)
Best of all, this game gives students a moment of connection during what can be an otherwise busy and structured day.
Let Me Know If You Try It!
Teachers, I’d love to know if you give this game a try in your classroom! It’s one of my favorites for a reason — easy setup, tons of engagement, and it works with every group I’ve ever used it with.
And if you’re someone who loves fun classroom games that are low-prep and kid-approved, you’re in the right place. I share new games all the time and love helping fellow teachers bring more play into the school day.
Morning Meeting Activities Bundle | Brain Breaks | Upper Elementary
What is included in this product?
- Over 70 unique activities to use with your upper elementary students.
- All activities are in google slides, so you can easily show them to your students and 0 prep!
- 100% digital product that comes with 100% editability. All activities are editable!!
