13 Fun High School Book Club Activities That’ll Make Every Meeting Unforgettable!

Looking to make your high school book club activities more exciting and memorable? You’re in the right place! From themed meetings to book-inspired charades, I’ve rounded up 13 engaging ideas to bring a fresh twist to your club! These activities are designed to deepen discussions, spark creativity, and build a strong connection among teens and preteens interested in reading.

Table of Contents

Book Club Bingo

Add a touch of bingo to your reading! Before you start the book, create bingo cards filled with themes, character traits, or recurring symbols from the book. As you read and discuss, mark off any that come up, and see who gets bingo first!

Book Bingo is a lighthearted way to stay engaged with the story. It keeps everyone on the lookout for specific details, making each discussion more interactive and focused on the finer points of the text.

If you don’t have the time to create a book-specific BINGO game, I’ve created a general Book Club BINGO that’s been a huge hit! It comes with 20 unique cards with cute little literary icons and calling cards that people of all ages like a ton!

Check it out here.

Themed Meetings

Bring the book’s world to life with a themed meeting that reflects the setting or time period of the novel. For example, if you’re reading a book set in the 1920s, encourage everyone to dress in vintage attire, and add some jazz music in the background. If your book takes place in a fantasy world, bring props or decorations that fit the theme, like candles or mystical artifacts.

This type of immersive experience can help readers feel more connected to the book and see it through a new lens. It’s also a fun way to get everyone involved in a creative, hands-on way, turning each meeting into a unique event.

Character Hot Seat

Put each character under the spotlight! In the character hot seat activity, members take turns embodying a character from the book, answering questions from the perspective of that character. This works especially well if the book has complex characters with distinct voices and personalities.

This activity encourages everyone to dig deeper into the characters’ motivations, fears, and goals. It can spark great conversations as members discuss why they answered in certain ways, and it helps everyone see the story from multiple angles.

Book Trailers

Let your club create its own book trailers! After finishing a book, work together or in small groups to create short video trailers that capture the essence of the story. Encourage everyone to think creatively: What scenes would be most exciting? What music or effects best represent the book’s tone?

Creating a trailer is a fantastic way to summarize and share everyone’s interpretations of the book. Plus, you get to develop tech skills like video editing, and it’s the perfect activity for a book club that loves a little extra creativity.

Literary Jeopardy

Turn your book discussion into a game with Literary Jeopardy! Before the meeting, come up with Jeopardy-style questions based on the book’s plot, themes, or character details. Divide everyone into teams and let them “buzz in” to answer questions in a fun competition.

This is a great way to review the book while bringing out everyone’s competitive side. Not only does it make the meeting more exciting, but it also helps reinforce key points and details that readers might have missed.

Alternate Endings

What if the story ended differently? Encourage your club members to brainstorm and write their own alternate endings to the book. Maybe a character makes a different choice, or a twist leads to an unexpected outcome. Share these new endings aloud and discuss how they change the story’s meaning or impact.

This activity encourages creativity and helps readers understand the significance of the book’s original ending. Plus, it’s always fun to imagine “what could have been” and see the variety of creative ideas everyone comes up with.

Book Soundtrack

Every great story deserves a soundtrack! Ask everyone to create a playlist or pick a few songs they think represent the themes, mood, or characters of the book. Share these playlists and listen together, discussing why each song was chosen and how it connects to the story.

Not only is this activity super fun, but it also allows everyone to experience the book in a fresh, musical way. It’s perfect for book lovers who enjoy exploring emotional connections and adding a creative twist to their readings.

Artistic Interpretations

Channel your inner artist! Invite club members to create art inspired by the book – whether it’s a drawing, a painting, or even a simple sketch. This could be a scene, a character, or an abstract representation of a theme or feeling from the story.

Sharing art is a powerful way to explore personal interpretations and can lead to fascinating discussions. It’s especially great for visual learners who might find it easier to express their feelings about a book through imagery rather than words.

Debate Club

Some books stir up strong opinions, making them perfect for a friendly debate! Pick a controversial topic or theme from the book, divide the club into two sides, and let the debate begin. Each team can present arguments for or against a character’s choice, a moral dilemma, or a plot decision.

This activity helps members sharpen their critical thinking and learn how to listen and respond respectfully. Plus, it often brings up surprising perspectives that add depth to the book discussion.

Author Interview Role-Play

Get into the mind of the author with a fun role-play! One member can play the author (or several people if you’re focusing on different authors) while others ask questions about the book’s characters, themes, and motivations behind specific scenes. The “author” can try to answer as authentically as possible based on what they know of the book.

This activity offers a unique way to consider the author’s intent and gain new insights. It’s a playful yet thoughtful approach to understanding literary choices, and it can add a fresh dynamic to your discussion.

Literary Charades

Act out scenes, characters, or book themes in a game of literary charades! Without using any words, club members try to portray something from the book while the others guess what it is. From intense scenes to funny characters, this game often leads to laughter and memorable moments.

This activity is especially fun for books with dramatic or easily recognizable scenes. It’s a great way to relax and have fun with the material, making the book club meeting feel more like a party.

If you don’t have time to create a charades game for a specific book, this general literary charades I’ve created is a great way to get started without the work!

Check it out here!

Map It Out

Some books create entire worlds, and mapping them out can help bring these settings to life. Together as a group or individually, create maps of the story’s world, complete with landmarks and important locations from the plot. This works particularly well for fantasy or adventure novels.

Creating a map can help readers better understand the physical journey characters take and can lead to discussions about how the setting impacts the story. It’s a creative activity that appeals to visual learners and adds depth to the reading experience.

Book Swap

Wrap up each book club meeting with a mini book swap! Members bring in a book they’ve read and loved, sharing a short pitch on why others should read it. At the end, everyone goes home with a new book to enjoy until the next meeting.

This activity encourages everyone to share their reading experiences and broadens everyone’s reading horizons. It’s also a wonderful way to keep the love of reading going beyond each meeting, adding an element of discovery to each session.

These high school book club activities are all about creating lasting memories and connecting over great stories.

Whether you’re trying a debate, hosting a themed meeting, or swapping books to find new favorites, these ideas will help you and your group bond over your love of literature.

Bring some creativity, enjoy the laughs, and turn each meeting into an experience everyone will look forward to.

Happy reading and planning!

More book club ideas to try next:

Author

Alex

Hi, I’m Alex, and I’m obsessed with making creative and fun activities and games for parties and events! When I’m not making memories with my little boy, you can find me practicing yoga tricks, cooking delicious meals, or curled up with a good book!
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