Looking for fun Friday activities for middle school that actually excite your students and still meet learning goals? These creative ideas will help you end the week on a high note—without the chaos. Whether you’re trying to build teamwork, creativity, or just give kids something to look forward to, Fridays don’t have to be filler days. Below you’ll find a curated list of 12 fun and purposeful Friday activities that range from STEM challenges to team-building games and calming creative projects. Let’s make Fridays your students’ favorite day of the week.
10+ Fun Friday Activities for Middle School
Middle schoolers thrive on variety and hands-on experiences. Below are 11+ activities that blend play with purpose, ensuring Fridays are both educational and unforgettable.
1. STEM Egg Drop Challenge
This classic STEM activity sharpens problem-solving skills and introduces physics concepts like gravity and force. Students collaborate to design protective casings for raw eggs, fostering creativity and resilience when prototypes fail
Materials: Raw eggs, straws, tape, cardboard, rubber bands, balloons, pillows
How to do it:
- Divide students into teams.
- Provide materials and challenge them to build a structure to protect an egg from a 10-foot drop.
- Test designs and discuss what worked (or didn’t!).
For more ideas to do this challenge, you can check our post on Egg Drop Ideas.
2. Classroom Escape Challenge
Turn your classroom into a mini escape room! It’s perfect for engaging students in critical thinking, collaboration, and curriculum review. Students can work together to solve puzzles, follow clues, and apply what they’ve learned in a thrilling way.
Materials:
- Printable clues or digital locks
- Props or themed decorations
How to do it:
- Choose a subject (math, science, etc.) and create a storyline
- Set up clues and challenges across the room.
- Put students in small teams.
- Give them a time limit to “escape.”
3. DIY Slime Science Lab
What middle schooler doesn’t love slime? It’s messy fun with a learning twist—covering chemical reactions and states of matter.
Materials: Glue, borax or contact lens solution, food coloring, mixing containers
How to do it:
- Provide each student with ingredients.
- Walk through the slime-making steps together.
- Discuss the science behind the transformation.
- Let them name and decorate their slime jars.
4. Creative Comic Strip Writing
Perfect for ELA classrooms, comic strip activities combine literacy and creativity. Students love developing characters and storylines while practicing writing and sequencing. Plus, this activity enhances narrative skills and allows artistic expression.
Materials:
- Comic strip templates
- Colored pencils
How to do it:
- Introduce a theme or prompt.
- Provide templates.
- Let students draft a 4–6 panel comic.
- Share their creations in pairs or small groups.
5. Minute to Win It Games
Short, silly, and energizing! Minute to Win It games like Cup Stack Relay or Penny Tower are ideal for transitioning into the weekend while promoting teamwork. These activities require minimal setup and build a classroom community and energize students.
Materials:
- Cups, ping pong balls, paper towels, etc.
- Timer
How to do it:
- Choose 3–5 simple games like Cookies Face, Penny Tower, or Cup Stack
- Demonstrate rules.
- Let individuals or teams compete for small prizes or bragging rights.
6. Scavenger Hunt (Curriculum Themed)
Use this Simile & Metaphor-Themed Scavenger Hunt for your classroom’s Friday activity!
A Friday scavenger hunt is more than fun—it’s a sneaky review tool. You can align it with any subject, and students love the sense of discovery. This activity will reinforce classroom content while encouraging movement.
Materials:
- Printed scavenger list
- Items around the classroom
How to do it:
- Create clues based on vocabulary or concepts.
- Hide them around the room.
- Divide students into teams.
- The first to complete the hunt wins.
8. DIY Vision Boards
Let students dream big with vision boards. It’s a reflective, artsy project that’s perfect for building self-awareness and future thinking.
Materials:
- Magazines, scissors, glue
- Poster boards or large paper
How to do it:
- Ask students to think about goals (academic, personal).
- Let them cut out images/words that inspire them.
- Have a show-and-tell session afterward.
9. Debate Club Showdown
Fridays are great for student-led debates. This helps build confidence, speaking skills, logical thinking, and articulating opinions respectfully.
Materials:
- Debate topics
- Timer
- Simple scoring sheets
How to do it:
- Assign topics or let students choose.
- Give time to prepare arguments
- Conduct debates with clear rules.
- Offer peer feedback.
10. “Genius Hour” Projects
Let students explore a passion project every Friday for a few weeks. This empowers choice, creativity, and self-directed learning while developing research and presentation skills.
Materials:
- Access to internet/research tools
- Presentation materials
How to do it:
- Ask students to pick a topic they’re curious about.
- Provide weekly check-ins.
- Let them present at the end of the month.
11. DIY Board Game Creation
Merging art and strategy, this activity lets students design board games based on curriculum topics (e.g., history timelines or math equations). It reinforces content knowledge and encourages peer teaching
Materials: Poster boards, markers, dice, tokens.
How to Do:
- Assign the board game theme like Color Race, Treasure Hunt, or Animal Adventure.
- Have students create rules, spaces, and challenges.
- Host a game day for peers to play each other’s creations.
12. Friday Reward Fair
Celebrate weekly achievements with a student-driven reward system! This activity motivates positive behavior, reinforces responsibility, and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
Materials: Reward catalog, tokens/tickets, a display board.
How to Do:
- Set up a reward system:
- Create a list of rewards (e.g., extra recess, sit with a friend, homework pass, teacher’s assistant for the day).
- Assign point values (e.g., 10 points = 5 minutes of free tech time).
- Earning points during the week :
- Award tokens for completed assignments, teamwork, or acts of kindness throughout the week.
- Track points on a class board or digital tracker.
- Friday Fair:
- Host a “fair” where students redeem points for rewards.
- Include mini-games (e.g., spin a wheel for bonus points) to boost excitement.
FAQs
1. What is the concept of fun Friday?
Fun Friday is a weekly classroom tradition where teachers set aside part of the day for engaging, hands-on, or light-hearted activities that reward students and foster positive classroom culture.
- Usually happens in the last class of the day or week.
- Can combine academics with fun.
- Helps improve attendance and classroom morale.
2. What activities can we do on fun Friday for middle school?
Fun Friday activities should be engaging, interactive, and promote teamwork, creativity, or learning. Here are some great options:
- STEM challenge like egg drop
- Physical activities like classroom escape or minute games
- Group activities like debates, reward fair
- Creative writing like comics creation
- Science activities like genius hour projects
- Art & crafts like vision boards
Final Thoughts
Fun Friday activities for middle school aren’t just fluff—they’re a powerful tool to connect with students, build community, and celebrate learning. Whether you’re planning a low-key comic session or an energetic STEM showdown, the key is to keep it meaningful and student-centered. Happy Fridays!
