Game Name: Slap the Board/Race
Age/level: All levels
Language aspects: Singular and plural, comparatives and superlatives, regular and irregular verbs, etc.
Props: Cards (optional)
This game is called “Slap the Board”, but we prefer to rename it: “RACE”.
It is mainly used to revise the past simple of irregular verbs, irregular comparative and superlative adjectives, irregular plurals, and the like.
You divide the class into groups of three or four depending on your class size. Each group has to nominate their respective representatives they think are smart enough to do well in the game.
It is also permissible if the members of each group swap roles in each round. Before s/he kicks off the game, the instructor writes the words on the board randomly and scatters them in different directions so that they appear a bit confusing (it depends on the level of the students). It is preferable to have all the words on separate cards and stick them to the board. This way you can use them many times, and also avoid rewriting or fixing ruined words after every round (students rush to touch the board, so they may erase some words unintentionally).
The students/athletes face the board, standing at a starting line, about three to four meters farther from the board, with textbooks or any safe, flat items on their heads.
As soon as they get instructions (e.g., Go and point at the past simple of verb buy), the students rush immediately to the board to point closely at the target word and make sure the items they have on their heads do not slip. If the items slip before they reach the word, they will be disqualified from the round.
The very first student to point at the word gets 1 point and wins the round. It goes on this way until one of the groups scores more and wins the game. And do not forget to reward the winning group. Good luck!