Skip to main content
Stop the Bus: a sticker of a red bus stop sign on a pole

Stop the Bus

Fill every category with a word starting with the chosen letter. The first to finish shouts stop the bus.

  • Individuals or pairs
  • 10 min
  • Paper with category columns
  • 3rd to 8th grade
  • Quiet
One page with all five steps

How to Play

5 steps
  1. Stop the Bus, step 1: Draw the columns

    Draw the columns

    Five categories across the page: animal, place, food, name, verb.

  2. Stop the Bus, step 2: Pick a letter

    Pick a letter

    Spin or choose a letter for the round.

  3. Stop the Bus, step 3: Fill every column

    Fill every column

    Write a word starting with that letter in each category.

  4. Stop the Bus, step 4: Stop the bus!

    Stop the bus!

    The first student to finish shouts it, and everyone stops writing.

  5. Stop the Bus, step 5: Score

    Score

    One point per answer, two if nobody else had it.

Ways to Change It Up

  • Subject CategoriesUse categories from a unit: elements, countries, characters.
  • PairsPartners share one sheet.

Play It With

Coming SoonPickers & Groups

Letter Wheel Spinner

Spin for a random letter for word games.

Pre-K to Grade 5
Spins the letter for each round

More Spelling Games

All Spelling Games

Stop the Bus Questions

Plan the Game into the Week

Drop a game into any lesson plan in EMStudio, with the rules attached. Free to start.

Get Started for Free
Checked by a teacher