Choose a task you can hear or see
Cambridge English’s game ideas include activities with everyday objects, words and pictures. They offer ways to use English while playing with a parent.
For your own game, be specific about the task. “Practise English” is broad. “Ask for an object by name” gives you a clear instruction and something to observe.
Try packing an imaginary bag
Draw a bag on a sheet of paper. Make cards showing objects you might take on an imaginary trip, such as a hat, a book and an apple. Take turns asking for an object and placing its card inside the drawing.
This is a suggested activity you can adapt. A beginner might point while you name the object. A child who knows the words could say “a red hat” or explain why they want to pack it. You can make the trip playful without adding more complicated rules.
Make winning optional
If scoring interrupts the speaking, leave it out. You can finish when the bag is packed and tell a short story about where it will go. Keep the language visible on a small prompt card if your child wants support.
Afterward, note which words your child used without a model and which needed a prompt. Next time, reuse some familiar cards and change the destination. That gives the activity continuity without requiring a larger pile of materials.
For another paper-based activity, try an English picture diary.