Make learning fun with 10 interactive smart board games for the classroom

Gone are the days when student participation meant hoping for a few raised hands. Interactive smart board games utilize the capabilities of smart devices like the Promethean ActivPanel–transforming passive classroom experiences into dynamic learning opportunities. 

What makes smart board games particularly valuable for educators is their remarkable adaptability. Whether you are teaching first-graders basic phonics or challenging high school students with complex physics concepts, these interactive tools work together naturally with your existing curriculum to make lessons more engaging and effective. 

What are smart board games?

Smart board games are interactive, technology-enhanced classroom activities that utilize interactive displays like the Promethean ActivPanel to create immersive learning experiences. Unlike traditional paper worksheets or physical manipulatives, these digital games transform your classroom’s interactive display into a collaborative learning hub that students naturally gravitate toward.

Effective smart board games for classrooms that can be played on an interactive display such as the Promethean ActivPanel include: 

• Touch functionality that allows students to directly interact with content by selecting answers, moving objects, or drawing responses. 
• Drag-and-drop features that enable learners to physically manipulate digital elements, reinforcing concepts through movement. 
• Multimedia components like animations, sound effects, and video clips that create multi-sensory learning experiences. 
• Real-time participation from multiple students, either working collaboratively or competing in friendly challenges.

How smart board games boost learning in the classroom

The benefits of game-based learning extend far beyond simple entertainment. Research suggests that multi-modal learning experiences improve information retention by creating multiple neural pathways for storing and retrieving information. Beyond academic gains, these games foster crucial social-emotional development as students practice solving problems, taking turns, and graceful competition.

Smart boards such as a Promethean ActivPanel make gamification accessible for students across all learning profiles. Visual learners benefit from dynamic graphics and color-coded information. Kinesthetic learners appreciate the physical interaction with the board. Auditory learners engage with verbal instructions and sound-based feedback. This multi-sensory approach helps every student access content in ways that align with their learning preferences.

During review sessions, games create low-pressure environments for students to demonstrate understanding before formal assessments. As lesson warm-ups, they activate background knowledge and mentally prepare students for new content. In collaborative settings, games naturally foster communication skills while reinforcing academic concepts. For formative assessment purposes, teachers can quickly gauge comprehension through game-based responses and adjust instruction accordingly.

The immediate feedback provided by interactive whiteboard games helps students correct misconceptions in real time, while friendly competition motivates even reluctant participants to engage actively. 

10 interactive smart board games for classrooms

1. Jeopardy quiz game

This classroom adaptation of the iconic TV game show brings excitement to any review session. Students select questions organized by category and point value, then compete individually or in teams to demonstrate their knowledge. The familiar format requires minimal explanation, allowing you to focus on content rather than complicated rules.

Getting started is straightforward with tools like JeopardyLabs or Google Slides templates. These platforms allow you to customize categories, questions, and point values to align perfectly with your curriculum objectives. Once created, these templates can be saved and modified for future lessons. Many teachers create a standard template they can quickly populate with new content throughout the year.

2. Pictionary

This drawing-based guessing game takes on new dimensions when played on an interactive display. One student illustrates a concept while classmates attempt to identify what is being drawn, perfect for vocabulary reinforcement, concept review, or building class community. The large display allows all students to see the drawing process, while digital tools make creating and erasing artwork effortless.

Promethean ActivSuite^TM software provides a whiteboard, timer, and spinner–everything needed for classroom gameplay. Students can select from various colors and pen thicknesses to make their illustrations more expressive and clear while the timer shows each team how much time is left in each round.

3. Memory match

This digital adaptation of the classic concentration game captivates students while reinforcing key concepts. Learners take turns revealing digital cards to find matching pairs, which can feature text, images, equations, or any content you need to reinforce. 

Your interactive display simplifies gameplay by allowing students to reveal cards with a simple touch, move matched pairs to a designated area, or reset the entire board for multiple rounds. Teachers can adjust difficulty by varying the number of cards or adding timer elements for older students who need an additional challenge.

4. Kahoot! quiz battles

Kahoot! transforms your smart board into an interactive game show headquarters. While students join using their own devices, your classroom display becomes the central hub showing questions and the live leaderboard. This creates a shared focal point that builds excitement and maintains whole-class engagement throughout the activity.

For the smoothest implementation, sync Kahoot! with your ActivPanel browser or app. This integration makes questions display clearly, transitions happen smoothly, and the leaderboard updates in real-time, maintaining the energy and flow that makes Kahoot! so effective. Many teachers find this tool particularly valuable for quick checks for understanding before moving on to new content.

5. Story sequence challenge

Sequencing activities become more engaging when students can physically manipulate story elements on your interactive display. Present mixed-up story components such as sentences, paragraphs, or images that students must arrange in logical order. The tactile experience of moving elements on the board reinforces critical thinking about chronology, cause-and-effect relationships, and narrative structure.

In reading comprehension, students sequence events from literature they have studied. Science classes can order steps in processes like photosynthesis, the water cycle, or the scientific method. History teachers might have students arrange historical events chronologically to visualize cause and effect. The visual and kinesthetic elements help students grasp sequential relationships that might be difficult to understand through text alone.

To deepen learning, encourage students to explain their reasoning as they arrange elements. This verbalization helps solidify understanding and allows peers to learn from different perspectives. Your smart board makes it easy to try different arrangements and immediately see whether the sequence makes logical sense, encouraging experimentation and revision.

6. Hangman

Sometimes the simplest games are the most effective. This word-guessing game remains a staple for spelling and vocabulary review. Your interactive whiteboard elevates the traditional version with cleaner visuals and interactive elements that maintain student engagement throughout multiple rounds.

Teachers can create the game directly on the smart board using pen or touch input. The digital format allows for creative enhancements like themed backgrounds or animated elements that correspond to your content area. Color-coding can highlight patterns like vowels versus consonants, helping younger students recognize word construction patterns.

7. Hot seat

This communication-focused game positions one student in the “hot seat” with their back to the board while teammates provide verbal clues about the displayed word or concept. Your smart whiteboard shows the target word to the class while the guesser relies entirely on their classmates’ descriptions. This setup creates authentic opportunities for students to practice precise language and creative communication.

The educational value extends well beyond simple vocabulary review. Students develop communication skills as they learn to give clear, concise clues without using the actual word. Critical thinking becomes essential as teams race against time to identify concepts. Language proficiency improves as students articulate ideas clearly and listen carefully to understand their classmates’ hints.

8. Simon says 

This classic game receives a digital upgrade when implemented on your interactive smart board. Display commands or visuals on the screen, and students only respond if preceded by the phrase “Simon says.” The interactive version adds visual elements that support diverse learners and creates more complex instructional challenges than the traditional verbal-only format.

Create subject-specific adaptations that reinforce your current content while playing. Math commands might include “Simon says show me six fingers” or “Simon says point to all the right angles.” Grammar practice could involve “Simon says underline the verb” or “Simon says circle the adjectives.” These targeted variations transform a simple game into focused content review that students eagerly participate in.

9. Word builder scramble

Challenge students to unscramble letters into correctly spelled words with this fast-paced interactive activity. Create word puzzles with scrambled letters displayed on your smart board, and have students rearrange them to form the correct word. The interactive functionality allows students to physically drag letter tiles, making the abstract process of spelling more concrete and accessible.

Students interact directly with content by manipulating letters on the board. This kinesthetic element particularly benefits learners who process information better through movement and hands-on interaction. The visual arrangement of letters helps students recognize patterns and common letter combinations that improve overall spelling proficiency. Teachers can differentiate by providing scaffolding like the first letter or word length clues for students who need additional support.

10. Digital graffiti wall

Transform your smart board into an open canvas for creative expression and collaborative thinking. The digital graffiti wall invites students to simultaneously write, draw, or respond to prompts, creating a vibrant collection of ideas and reflections. 

Students can contribute together using different colors or annotation styles, making it easy to identify each person’s unique addition. Your ActivPanel display’s multi-touch capability allows several students to write or draw at once, transforming individual reflection into collaborative creation. Teachers can save these digital walls as artifacts of class thinking, creating a visual record of learning progression over time.

This versatile tool adapts to numerous instructional needs. Use it for exit tickets where students share one thing they learned or still question. During brainstorming sessions, ideas flow freely without the constraints of traditional sequential sharing. For social-emotional learning check-ins, students can draw emojis or write words describing their current emotional state. The non-judgmental, creative space encourages even your most reluctant participants to share their thoughts and perspectives.

How to choose the right smart board games for your classroom

Selecting games that enhance rather than distract from learning requires thoughtful consideration. Start by aligning game selection with your specific learning objectives. Every activity should serve a clear instructional purpose beyond simple entertainment. Consider your students’ developmental levels to make certain games provide appropriate challenges without causing frustration that could undermine learning.

Be mindful of your classroom dynamics when selecting games. High-energy competitive activities might work perfectly for afternoon energy slumps but could overstimulate students first thing in the morning. Collaborative games build classroom community and communication skills, while individual challenges allow for differentiated practice. Consider your time constraints as well—some games function effectively as five-minute warm-ups while others deserve extended instructional time.

Promethean tools that make game-based learning easier

ActivPanel and Promethean ActivSuite™ software transform game-based learning from a technical challenge into an easy classroom experience. The responsive touchscreen capability means students can interact naturally with games without special training or technical frustration. Multi-user input allows several students to play at once, promoting collaboration and reducing wait time that can lead to disengagement. 

Built-in whiteboard features eliminate the need for separate applications or tools. Students can annotate directly over game content, circle answers, or add creative elements that demonstrate their thinking. The comprehensive annotation tools include various pen styles, colors, and shapes, giving teachers and students everything needed for interactive gameplay without switching between programs or devices.

Promethean panels allow you to customize gameplay to match your specific instructional needs. 

• Save student responses during games for later assessment and documentation of learning. 
• Modify difficulty levels on the fly to differentiate for diverse learners. 
• Create custom templates that align perfectly with your curriculum standards and teaching style. 
• Transform one-time games into reusable teaching tools that evolve with your classroom.

Overhaul your classroom with engaging, educational games that students look forward to. Explore Promethean’s ActivPanel to discover how the right technology can transform routine lessons into learning adventures.