Make vocabulary practice exciting with this UNO-style printable card game! Designed for ESL, EFL, and ELL learners, the Name Three Things game encourages students to practice speaking, listening, reading, and thinking skills while having fun. With 80 engaging prompts across familiar categories like school, home, food, family, and objects, this low-prep activity is a must-have for any English classroom.
How It Works
Students draw a card and must name three items related to the prompt. For example: "Name three items you bring on a picnic" → blanket, picnic basket, food. Since answers may vary, this activity encourages creativity and discussion, giving teachers opportunities to reinforce vocabulary expansion and category fluency.
Why Teachers Love This Game
- Interactive and fun way to build English vocabulary
- Perfect for ESL speaking practice, warm-ups, or review activities
- Encourages students to think critically and share multiple responses
- Reusable year after year – just print, laminate, and play
- Flexible: works well in small groups, literacy centers, or whole-class play
What’s Included
- 80 “Name Three Things” Prompt Cards (categories students can easily relate to)
- Each card comes in one of four colors and features a number from 1–10
- 4 Draw Two Cards – next player must draw two cards
- 4 Skip Cards – skips the next player’s turn
- 4 Reverse Cards – reverses order of play
- 4 Wild Cards – players choose the color
- Box Labels for easy organization and storage
- Teacher Directions for quick setup
How to Use
Simply print the PDF, laminate for durability, and cut out the cards. This ensures the game lasts for years of classroom use. Students can play in small groups or as a whole-class activity, making it an excellent choice for speaking warm-ups, vocabulary centers, or ESL review days.
Pair It With
For more speaking-focused practice, pair this card game with my Present Simple Conversation Question Cards . Together, they create a powerful toolkit for building student confidence in speaking English while reinforcing grammar and vocabulary.
Also Available on TPT
This resource is also available in my Teachers Pay Teachers shop: Vocabulary Building Card Game: Name Three Things Prompts for ESL & ELL