Spanish -AR Verb Conjugation Maze Game (Preterite Tense)

The preterite tense can be challenging for Spanish learners, but adding movement and game-based practice makes conjugation review far more engaging. This -AR Verb Conjugation Maze Game gives students a fun way to reinforce preterite endings while problem-solving their way through a puzzle.

This activity works well as a warm-up, partner game, station activity, fast-finisher option, or review before assessment.

Objective
Move from START to FINISH by correctly conjugating -AR verbs in the preterite tense.

How to Play

1. Students begin at the START space.
   
2. They may move up, down, left, or right—but only if they correctly conjugate the verb in the space they want to enter.
   
3. Each space contains a subject pronoun and an -AR verb in the infinitive.
   
4. Students must say or write the correct preterite form before moving.
   
5. The first player to reach FINISH wins.
   
6. Teachers may require written answers, verbal responses, or partner-checking depending on the class.
   

Game Board Spaces

START
tú – estudiar
ella – bailar
yo – comprar
ellos – viajar
yo – hablar
vosotros – enseñar
ella – usar
nosotros – caminar
tú – escuchar
ustedes – visitar
él – necesitar
yo – mirar
tú – trabajar

FINISH
ella – llevar
tú – preparar
vosotros – nadar
yo – cantar
ellos – desear
nosotros – estudiar
yo – descansar
él – tocar
ustedes – mirar
tú – bailar

Answer Key

hablé
estudiaste
bailó
compré
viajaron
hablé
enseñasteis
usó
caminamos
escuchaste
visitaron
necesitó
miré
trabajaste

llevó
preparaste
nadasteis
canté
desearon
estudiamos
descansé
tocó
miraron
bailaste

Why This Activity Works

• It encourages repetition without feeling repetitive.
• Students must process both the pronoun and the verb form quickly.
• Movement-based learning keeps students engaged.
• It works for all learning styles—visual, kinesthetic, and verbal.
• It’s easy to differentiate by adjusting required accuracy or adding time limits.

Extensions and Variations

• Have students create their own maze using different -AR verbs.
• Use -ER or -IR verbs, irregular preterite verbs, or mixed tenses.
• Turn it into a race, relay, or team challenge.
• Require complete-sentence answers for added challenge.
• Use it as homework by having students write the path they chose.

Final Thoughts

This maze game transforms preterite practice into an interactive experience that helps students build confidence with -AR verb conjugations. It’s simple to prepare, engaging to play, and effective for mastery.

Objective: Move from START to FINISH by correctly conjugating -AR verbs in the preterite tense.

How to Play:
1. Begin at the START space.
2. You may move up, down, left, or right—but only if you correctly conjugate the verb in the space.
3. Each space contains a subject pronoun and an -AR verb in the infinitive.
4. Say or write the correct preterite tense form to move.
5. First to reach FINISH wins!

START	tú – estudiar	ella – bailar	yo – comprar	ellos – viajar
yo – hablar	vosotros – enseñar	ella – usar	nosotros – caminar	tú – escuchar
ustedes – visitar	él – necesitar	yo – mirar	tú – trabajar	FINISH
ella – llevar	tú – preparar	vosotros – nadar	yo – cantar	ellos – desear
nosotros – estudiar	yo – descansar	él – tocar	ustedes – mirar	tú – bailar

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Answer Key

hablé	estudiaste	bailó	compré	viajaron
hablé	enseñasteis	usó	caminamos	escuchaste
visitaron	necesitó	miré	trabajaste
llevó	preparaste	nadasteis	canté	desearon
estudiamos	descansé	tocó	miraron	bailaste