Inside: The Plate Sketch Game or drawing on a plate on your head game. A perfect holiday activity for Christmas in Spanish class. Are you trying to find the “Christmas game paper plate drawing on head?” Here is the Navidad plate sketch game! Spanish class Christmas activity. Step-by-step instructions for a fun christmas game drawing on top of their head in your high school Spanish class or at a family gathering.
Plate Sketch Game post was originally shared on 12.17.14 by Allison Wienhold & most recently updated 12.15.25
Plate Sketch Game – Spanish class Christmas Activity
If you are looking for a 20-30 minute activity that is fun, holiday-related and includes Spanish input, the plate sketch game is for you! This Spanish class holiday activity is perfect for those short days before break, after a final, or as a part of a homeroom holiday party. If you like fun games and memorable experience with limited supplies, these game ideas are for you.
9 years ago I first used The Plate Sketch Game by Cynthia Hitz. It is the Christmas game paper plate drawing on the head. It was the perfect day to do it since it was tacky Christmas sweater day at school. I used this Google Presentation of the activity shared by @lopezelena for the group game. Thank you Cynthia for the idea and Elena for the presentation. All you need are white paper plates and markers and read the instructions found in the links above.
Now I have learned it is best to use plain white PAPER plates and not the Styrofoam ones I already had in my room. The markers smeared and we ended up using pens for the second class. Sharpie would probably be the best choice but may get a little messy.
The Holiday Plate Sketch game is a great way to use the target language, could use Winter vocabulary, and have fun.
Supplies for the Plate Sketch Game or “drawing on a plate on your head game”
- Cheap white paper plates – enough for all students (Or you could use mini dry-erase boards too)
- Thin markers, sharpies, or pens
- this original Google Presentation free download (created by Elena Lopez) – Christmas tree plate sketch game version
- Or this alternate Snowman presentation (from Ashley Soriano) – snowman paper plate drawing game
Directions for the Plate Sketch Game in Spanish class
- Instruct students that once the game starts they place the plate on their head and DO NOT LOOK AT IT.
- The teacher gives a series of instructions. Students draw what is described without looking.
- At the end, give students “points” for having things make sense, like a star on top of the tree, etc.
- To extend it you can give awards for the best drawing, goofiest plate, worst attempt, etc. Students could present their drawing in Spanish and try to describe why their plate should “win” (This is so much fun and can extend the game to a full class period activity).
Some of the plate sketch masterpieces from my first year from Christmas game paper plate drawing on head
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If you are looking for more holiday ideas, check out these blog posts
- Los 3 Reyes Magos in Spanish Class
- Winter holidays in Spanish class
- 1st Day After Winter Break for Spanish
- Holiday dance videos – baile viernes navidad
- Spanish Songs for Hanukkah
- Spanish Class Christmas Songs
More Fun with Paper Plates
Have extra plates? See 6 Paper Plate Activities for Class for more fun paper plate games or play Positive Plates team-building activity.
Ready To Go Holiday Resources to Save You Time!
- Winter Holiday Bundle
- Este descanso – Pre Winter break plans – to talk about your upcoming winter break in future tense
- Digital Slides- post Holiday Break – perfect for the Monday AFTER the break
- Find Someone Who – post Holiday Break– perfect for the Monday AFTER the break
- Para Empezar – Winter Holidays – infuse holiday culture this month
- Los Reyes Magos – reading – one day Cultural reading, perfect to ease back in after winter break
- French Pre-Winter Break Find Someone Who
- French Post-Winter Break Find Someone Who
No-Prep Plans for Post Winter Break in Every Level You Teach!
Starting With a New Group of Students?
Grab this Name Game Speedball Freebie for the best 1st day game for a new group of students!
