ESL Games: Hink Pink – Word Game

The Game: You might know this word game by a whole bunch of other names like Hank Pank, Brain Train, Stinky Pinky, or Wordy Gurdy. The game is made up of a phrase that conveys an adjective paired with a rhyming noun (e.g., a funny bunny, or a big wig). Some people like to use the one-syllable word name for one syllable answers, and the two-syllable names for two syllable answers. But the idea of the game is the same.

Research Says: It is a fun way to practice language skills. The game helps with word recall and with understanding word meaning by playing with words. Hink Pink is a highly motivating game because it is so fun. It breaks a common perception that all learning should be serious in nature and that if “…one is having fun and there is hilarity and laughter, then it is not really learning” (Lee Su Kim, Creative Games for the Language Class).

The object of Hink Pink is to have students think of words that match given definitions. The game is played in a whole class setting with individuals or students in small groups who try to guess the adjective and noun that rhyme with the given clue. You can play with single- or double-syllable words based on the language level of your students.  The clues can be presented visually or orally.

Materials Needed

• Word cards
• Dictionary and thesaurus for each student or group of students

How to Play

1. Students are given a word card to complete. They answer any number of Hink Pinks or complete the entire card.
2. Students work individually or in groups to find the rhymes.
3. Students write the correct answers in the blanks under the clues.

How to Make It

1. From the given list (or some of your own), select 24 Hink Pinks to write in the squares.
2. Prepare one card and make a photocopy for each student/group of students.
3. Allow a set amount of time to complete.
4. Share and discuss answers.

Variations

1. The clues can be read orally for the class to guess, or there can be teams of students who compete against each other in trying to solve the Hink Pinks.
2. You can also play with a word card (much like a Bingo card) that needs to be filled with the correct answers so students can work at their own speed. In this variation, the clues do not need to be read aloud. Students complete the work independently by reading the clues and writing the suggested rhyming answer on their cards.
3. Students can try to get so many correct answers in a given time frame or complete the chart in some way (four corners, five in a row, etc.)
4. Students can write their own Hink Pinks to use or trade them with other students.
5. Students can research Hink Pinks to study additional adjectives that rhyme with nouns and why these are a “play on words.”
6. Students can be assigned a Hink Pink to present to the class and explain its meaning.
7. Instead of thinking of the correct answer, students match the correct answer to the given clues.

Some Hink Pinks to Get You Started

Insects/Animals

• A bashful insect:  Shy fly
• A tiny insect:  Wee bee
• A blackbird that doesn’t fly fast:  Slow crow
• A skinny little horse:  Bony pony
• A cautious bird:  Wary canary
• A chubby kitten:  Fat cat
• A dark-colored sled dog:  Dusky husky
• A humorous rabbit:  Funny bunny
• A wet puppy:  Soggy doggy
• A greased bird:  Slick chick
• A rodent’s headgear:  Rat’s hat

Foods/Drinks

• A better café:  Finer diner
• A light-red beverage:  Pink drink
• Dehydrated soup:  Chowder powder
• A fat fish:  Stout trout
• A chocolate bar dropped on the beach:  Sandy candy
• A fuzzy fruit:  Hairy berry
• A fat sandwich:  Chub sub
• Cooked reptile:  Baked snake
• Sweet potato preserve:  Yam jam