This fun Action Verbs Tic-Tac-Toe game gives students the opportunity to practice identifying, saying, and understanding common action verbs while playing a familiar game with a friend.
Each square features a picture of a child demonstrating an action together with the written action phrase. This gives students the opportunity to connect the action they see with both the spoken and written language. Seeing the written words repeatedly can also support early literacy by helping children become familiar with word shapes, letters, and simple phrases.
The game sheet can be inserted into a transparent sheet protector and played using erasable whiteboard markers. This makes the activity reusable and allows students to play the game again and again. Alternatively, the sheet can be laminated if preferred.
How to Play
Students play in pairs. Players take turns choosing an action square.
Before claiming a square, the student should:

1. Look at the picture.
2. Say the action.
3. Look at and recognise the written action phrase.
4. Write an X or O in the square.
   The first player to get three in a row—across, down, or diagonally—is the winner!
   Learning Benefits
   Action Verbs Tic-Tac-Toe provides practice in several important areas of early language learning:
   • Action vocabulary – Students practice identifying and saying common action verbs.
   • Speaking and pronunciation – Children repeatedly hear and say the target language.
   • Picture-word recognition – Students connect the action picture with its written phrase.
   • Early literacy – Seeing the written words repeatedly helps children become familiar with letters, word shapes, and print.
   • Vocabulary recall – Students practice remembering and producing action words independently.
   • Listening comprehension – Children connect spoken instructions with physical actions.
   • Movement and learning – Students can physically perform each action as they say it, making the vocabulary more memorable.
   • Turn-taking and social skills – Children practice taking turns, waiting, and playing cooperatively.
   • Fine motor practice – Writing X’s and O’s provides an opportunity to practice controlled pencil or marker movements.
   Action Verbs Included
   to run
   to walk
   to jump
   to clap
   to wave
   to sit
   to stand
   to dance
   to raise your hand
   The combination of movement, pictures, spoken language, and written words makes this a fun and engaging way for young ESL learners to practice action vocabulary while also developing early literacy skills.
   Credits & Copyright
   © 2026 Sonyja Murphy. All rights reserved.
   This educational resource was created by Sonyja Murphy.
   Illustrations in this resource were created with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT by OpenAI) and have been edited and arranged as part of this original educational work.