Try This Fun Social Studies Activity – Review in 4 Easy Steps
By Kirsten Hammond
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I’ve got a fun and engaging activity to share that’s perfect for the days leading up to spring break (or any time of year)! If you’re looking for a way to keep your students focused and excited while reviewing what they’ve learned in social studies this year, you’re in the right place. So, try out this fun social studies activity before spring break to focus on learning before heading to the beach!
The Game: Social Studies Jeopardy!
What better way to review the year’s social studies content than with a Jeopardy-style review game? This activity is easy to set up, adaptable for any grade level, and sure to keep your students engaged.
Step 1: Set Up the Game
First, you’ll need to create your game board. Here’s how:
Categories: Choose five or six categories representing the major topics you’ve covered this year.
For example:
- Geography
- U.S. History
- Government
- Historical Figures
- Current Events
- Vocabulary
Questions: Write five questions for each category, increasing in difficulty as the points increase (100, 200, 300, 400, 500).
For example:
- Geography, 100 points: “What is the capital of Texas?”
- U.S. History, 500 points: “Who was the President during the Louisiana Purchase?”
EduAide is a great tool to use if you need assistance creating questions relevant to your grade level.
You can create your game board on a whiteboard, bulletin board, or use a digital tool like this Google Slides template.
Step 2: Divide the Class into Teams
Split your class into teams of 3-5 students. This keeps the game collaborative and ensures everyone gets a chance to participate. Assign each team a buzzer or have them raise their hands to answer questions.
When you try out this fun social studies activity before spring break, students get to interact and learn!
Step 3: Play the Game
Here’s how the game works:
Teams take turns choosing a category and point value.
For example, “We’ll take Historical Figures for 300.”
Read the question aloud. Teams must buzz in or raise their hand to answer.
If the team answers correctly, they earn the points. If they’re wrong, another team can “steal” by answering.
Continue playing until all questions are answered, or set a time limit. Students will have a blast playing this fun social studies activity for review!
Step 4: Bonus Round for Extra Fun
End the game with a Final Jeopardy round, where teams can wager points on one last question. Choose a big-picture question that ties together themes from the year.
For example:
“Name three ways geography influenced early settlements in the United States.” Teams write their answers on a whiteboard or piece of paper and reveal them at the same time.
Why This Activity Works
Social Studies Jeopardy isn’t just fun—it’s effective! Here’s why:
Engagement: The game format energizes and excites students, even during pre-spring break days.
Collaboration: Working in teams encourages students to discuss and review material together.
Comprehensive Review: Covering multiple categories ensures students revisit a wide range of content from the year.
Low-Pressure Assessment: This fun social studies activity allows you to assess student understanding in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Pro Tips for Success
Mix It Up: Include various question types, like multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, or “Name That Landmark” with visuals.
Keep It Fair: Rotate who answers within each team to ensure all students get a chance to contribute.
Add Prizes: Small incentives, such as stickers, extra recess time, or homework passes, can make the game even more exciting.
Looking for more social studies activities? Check out my shop!
Planning before any break is tough! Whether students are heading to the beach or relaxing on the couch, they are excited for the days off. Luckily, focusing won’t be an issue if you try out this fun social studies activity before spring break. Students will have so much fun learning!
kirsten hammond
Kirsten is a former 3rd and 5th grade teacher who loves helping upper elementary teachers by creating resources and sharing ideas that are engaging, research-based, and TEKS-aligned. She is a work-from-home mama of 3 rambunctious little ones and loves running, true crime, and lots of coffee.
