FREE DRAMA, THEATRE AND IMPROV GAMES COLLECTIONS
Drama (or theatre) and improv games are an important part of drama education and throughout their drama studies students should learn and play many. Games range from simple to more difficult and are used for different purposes and there are literally thousands of them. Here are some free PDF's of some of my favourite drama and improv games to play!
First, a little bit more about drama / improv games
As well as being great fun, drama and improvisation games serve a fantastic purpose in drama education:
Focus Drama Games
Focus groups on the task at hand and anchor them to the drama lesson activities.
Improvisation
Improv Games are fundamental in the drama classroom and develop student confidence, storytelling, spontaneity, creativity, group bonding, performance techniques and more. They are also great fun!
Energy / Warm Up Games
Lift the energy of the drama class up at the right time to get the most out of the drama lesson. Give students a physical or voice warm up to prepare for planned drama activities.
Supporting the Drama Curriculum
Drama and improv games should and can support the curriculum and be used to advance the drama learning objectives. Drama and improv games can be matched according to curriculum objectives - either by the skills supported and encouraged or topic.
Skill Based Drama
Skill based drama and improv games help to develop drama and improv skills such as characterisation, physicality, confidence, group work, mime, storytelling and more.
Bonding Games / Fun
Drama and improv games are fun and can be used for group bonding. Kids will have favourites and get better at the games over time, giving a great sense of achievement and group energy.
SOME OF MY FAVOURITE DRAMA / IMPROV GAMES
In my years of drama teaching, I have definitely found some favourite drama, theatre and improv games. These are games that I not only like myself but that have worked well for my classes. I have compiled some of these favourites into 3 FREE drama games PDF resources based on different year level groups (Pre-Kindergarten to year 2; Elementary years 3 -6; and Teens years 7-12). They include circle games and you will find games suitable for different sized groups (large or small). Some games are not 'technically' drama games but I have included them because they serve a purpose such as focus, warm up, bonding, lifting energy and some of them are just great fun! You'll find more of my favourites with my drama and improv card and games collections which you can find HERE!
DOWNLOAD THE PDF's BY CLICKING EACH IMAGE
Free Drama Games and Activities for Middle School & High School
Here is a collection of 45 free drama games and activities for middle school and high school students. I have found these games to not only be engaging and fun (and useful for quick warm ups, lifting energy and focus) but can also serve a purpose in curriculum objectives when carefully matched with drama curriculum outcomes.
The following drama / theatre / improv games and activities are included in this collection (click on the link to see how that game is played):
Free Drama Games and Activities for Elementary (Primary) School
Here is a collection of 46 free drama games and activities for elementary (primary) school - years 3, 4, 5 and 6. Once again, some of the games are not traditional drama games but they serve a good purpose in the drama classroom such as focus, snappy warm-ups and fun breaks. The games and activities in this collection have been used for these age groups.
The following drama / improv games and activities are included in this collection (click on the links to see how that game is played):
-
3 Noses
-
Alien, Tiger, Cow
-
Alphabet Circle
-
Association Walking
-
Giants, Knights and Wizards
-
Presents
-
Quick Change Artist
-
Splat
-
String Objects
-
This is my Friend
-
Who Said That?
Free Drama Games and Activities for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2
Here is a collection of 30 free drama games and activities for elementary (primary) school - years pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, grade 1 and 2. Some of the games are not traditional drama games but they serve a good purpose in the drama classroom such as focus, energy lifting and I find that younger students really enjoy ending a drama lesson with an energetic game. The games and activities in this collection have been used for these age groups (but some of them may only be suitable for years 1 -2).
The following drama games and activities are included in this collection:
-
3 Noses
-
7 Up
-
Alien, Tiger, Cow
-
Alphabet Circle
-
Animal Match
-
Apple Apple Apple
-
Association Walking
-
Captain's Coming
-
Drama Scarecrow Tag
-
Giants, Knights and Wizards
-
Good Afternoon, Your Majesty
-
Lap Lap Clap Snap
-
Location Freeze
-
Minefield
-
Octopus
-
Quick Change Artist
-
Presents
-
Receiver Right Clap
-
String Objects
-
This is my Friend
-
Touch the Colour
-
Traffic Lights
-
Who's Got the Keys to the Castle?
Genres Drama Cards and Activities
(High School)
Here are some free printable drama cards with suggested activities. The set includes Genres and Musical Genres. If you're looking for more prompts for improv games, scene creation activities and more - check out my drama and improv card and games sets HERE!
Theatre Styles Drama Cards and Activities
(High School)
Here are some free printable drama cards with suggested activities. The is for more advanced drama learning and are Theatre Styles. If you're looking for more prompts for improv games, scene creation activities and more - check out my drama and improv card and games sets HERE!
