If your students perk up the moment you mention games, you’re not alone.
As Health Science, CNA, and PCT instructors, we’re constantly walking the tightrope between engagement and content mastery.
And let’s face it—some days feel like we’re one PowerPoint away from losing the whole class to daydreams.
That’s exactly why I love incorporating simple, low-prep games into my lessons.
One of my favorites is the Game Spinner Vital Signs Game, and it has quickly become a class favorite.
Why the Game Spinner Activity Works
In this game, students sit in small groups and take turns spinning a paper spinner.
Wherever it lands—for instance…temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, or height/weight—they must answer a multiple-choice question from that category.
The variety keeps them alert, the format keeps it fun, and the group setting encourages peer teaching and team thinking.
Plus, it’s reusable, customizable, and paper-based—perfect for busy classrooms with limited tech.
What’s most important?
The students are reviewing real theory in a way that feels like play.
Turning The Game Spinner Activity Into a Tool for ANY Topic
Once you’ve made one spinner game, the possibilities are endless.
You can adapt this format for any topic in your curriculum—especially those abstract or content-heavy areas that students tend to tune out.
Here’s how to create your own spinner-based review game in five simple steps:
1. Choose Your Game Spinner Categories
Decide what you want students to review.
Break the topic into 4–6 subcategories.
For example:
Stages of Grief Game: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance
Types of Abuse Game: Physical, Emotional, Sexual, Financial, Neglect
Body Systems Game: Circulatory, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal, Digestive, Nervous, Integumentary
2. Create a Spinner
Draw a circle on cardstock or paper.
Divide it into wedges and label each with a category.
Laminate it, poke a hole in the center, and attach a jumbo paperclip with a pencil to act as the spinner.
Write 5–10 questions per category.
Keep them short and relevant.
Multiple-choice works great, but you can also use open-ended, true/false, or “which comes next?” style questions depending on your students’ level.
4. Set Up Small Groups
Divide students into groups of 4–5.
This activity is PERFECT for when you want to use centers.
For information on the magic of using centers, visit this blog:
Give each group a spinner and a set of category cards or a master question sheet.
The students take turns spinning and answering questions from the category they land.
The other students check the question key to see how they did.
If the student answers correctly, they get to spin again.
If they answer incorrectly, it is the next student’s turn.
More Game Topics
Here are some additional topic ideas you can spin into your next review day:
Legal & Ethical Concepts: Informed Consent, Scope of Practice, HIPAA, Advanced Directives
Infection Control: Hand Hygiene, PPE, Isolation Precautions, Chain of Infection
Vital Signs (of course!): Perfect for before a lab practical
Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Time Management, Empathy
Nutrition: Food groups, hydration, calorie counting, modified diets
Wanna Give it a Try?
If your students need a shake-up during review days—or if you need a break from traditional lectures—try spinning in some fun.
Start with my FREE Game Spinner Vital Signs Game, then use the same method to bring your own content to life.
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Free game spinner vital signs
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