21 Exciting Social Media Activities To Engage Your Students 

Looking for creative ways to incorporate social media into your classroom? Look no further! From photo challenges and virtual debates to collaborative storytelling and digital campaigns, these activities will captivate your students’ interest while promoting digital literacy and creativity. Get reading to discover some exciting social media adventures just waiting to be embarked upon!

1. Hashtag Hunt 

Get ready to unleash your students’ creativity! In this activity, students will need to create and search for unique hashtags related to classroom topics or themes. They can use platforms like Instagram or Twitter to find and contribute to ongoing hashtag conversations. This activity provides a great opportunity to foster discussions about trends, explore different perspectives, and connect with a wider online community.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

2. Digital Storytelling

Help your learners develop their storytelling skills, express their creativity, and practice digital presentation techniques. Lights, camera, action! With digital storytelling, students can use social media platforms to share their own narratives. They’ll create engaging stories, slideshows, or videos to post on platforms like YouTube or TikTok. 

Learn More: U of G Library

3. Virtual Pen Pals

Break those barriers and connect with other students around the world by becoming virtual pen pals! Students can use social media platforms, such as Facebook groups or dedicated pen pal websites, to exchange messages, photos, and cultural experiences. This activity makes a great inclusion in any geography lesson and is a great way to promote global awareness and cultural understanding.

Learn More: We are Teachers

4. Social Campaign for a Cause

Empower your students to make a difference by designing a social media campaign for a cause that they care about. Whether it’s raising awareness for environmental issues, promoting kindness and inclusivity, or advocating for social justice, students can use platforms like Instagram or Twitter to share their messages and engage their peers in meaningful discussions.

Learn More: English Teaching 101

5. Online Book Club

Bring the joy of reading to the digital realm with an online book club! Students can use platforms like Goodreads or create dedicated social media groups to discuss books they’re reading, share recommendations, and engage in literary discussions. What a fantastic way to foster a love for reading, encourage critical thinking, and build a vibrant online reading community.

Learn More: Edutopia

6. Digital Exhibitions

Turn your students into curators and create digital exhibitions! This activity provides a creative and interactive way to appreciate and share knowledge about various subjects. Learners can use platforms like Pinterest or Instagram to curate collections of artwork, historical photos, or scientific discoveries. From there, they can explore different themes, provide descriptions, and engage in conversations about the exhibited pieces.

Learn More: Pinterest

7. Collaborative Class Blog

Create a collaborative class blog where students can contribute their thoughts, reflections, and creative writing. Platforms like WordPress or Blogger allow students to publish their work, comment on each other’s posts, and engage in meaningful discussions. These are powerful tools to develop writing skills, encourage peer feedback, and create a sense of community within the class.

Learn More: UChicago Courses

8. Infographic Creation

Bring data visualization to the forefront with infographic creation! Students can use platforms like Canva or Piktochart to design eye-catching infographics that convey information, statistics, or research findings. This allows learners to enhance their digital literacy skills, present complex ideas in a visually appealing manner, and foster creativity in new ways.

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9. Social Media Scavenger Hunt

Promote digital research skills, critical thinking, and effective use of social media for information gathering with an exciting social media scavenger hunt! Students will need to search for specific types of posts, hashtags, or information on platforms like Instagram or Twitter. 

Learn More: Pinterest

10. Online Polls and Surveys

Encourage your learners to branch out with their data collection strategies. Get them to gather valuable insights through online polls and digital surveys! Platforms like Google Forms or Poll Everywhere allow students to create and share polls or surveys with their peers. They can gather opinions, conduct market research, or gather data for classroom projects. 

Learn More: Question Pro

11. Digital Art Showcase 

Unleash your students’ artistic talents with a digital art showcase! They can create and share their artwork on platforms like Instagram, DeviantArt, or Behance. They’ll be able to explore various art forms such as painting, drawing, digital design, or photography and enjoy showcasing their creativity, receiving feedback from peers, and connecting with the wider art community in new ways. 

Learn More: The Art of Education

12. Social Media Debate Club

Transform social media into a platform for civil discourse with a social media debate club! Students can engage in respectful debates on platforms like Twitter; using hashtags to organize discussions on various topics. They’ll get to develop their critical thinking abilities while practicing effective argumentation and respectful online communication skills.  

Learn More: Connected Learning Alliance

13. Virtual Field Trips

Take your students on a virtual field trip using social media platforms! You can curate and share virtual tours of museums, historical sites, or natural wonders on platforms like YouTube or Facebook. 

Learn More: Discovery Education

14. Photo Caption Contest

Get creative with a photo caption contest on social media! Choose interesting or funny photos and post them on various platforms. Students can submit their creative captions in the comments, and the most creative or humorous entry wins!

Learn More: Ditch that Textbook

15. Social Media Research Projects

Get your students to explore the power of social media with a captivating research project. They can investigate the impact of social media on society, analyze online trends, or study the effects of social media on mental health. They can use platforms like Twitter or Facebook to collect data and present their findings using creative formats such as presentations, infographics, or videos.

Learn More: Made Easy

16. Digital Etiquette Campaign

Promote digital etiquette and responsible online behavior with an etiquette campaign. They can create educational posts, videos, or graphics to raise awareness about cyberbullying, privacy, or online safety. They can use platforms like Instagram or TikTok to share their campaign messages and encourage positive digital interactions.

Learn More: Element Five

17. Social Media Geography

Combine geography and social media by exploring different locations with hashtags or geotags. Students can research and share interesting facts, cultural traditions, or famous landmarks associated with specific places. 

Learn More: Forbes

18. Digital Marketing Challenge

Let your students unleash their inner marketers with a digital marketing challenge! They can create and promote a product or service using a social media platform of their choice. They’ll need to develop marketing strategies, create engaging content, and measure their campaign’s success. An awesome activity for aspiring digital marketers! 

Learn More: Stukent

19. Podcasting

Let your students become podcasters and share their voices with the world! They can create podcasts on various topics of interest using platforms like Anchor or SoundCloud. Spark inspiration by prompting them to develop scripts, interview guests, or discuss important issues. 

Learn More: Teach.com

20. Social Media Mentorship

Encourage peer-to-peer learning and mentorship through social media platforms. Students can create mentorship groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn, where they can provide guidance, share resources, and offer support to their peers. 

Learn More: Together

21. Digital Portfolio Showcase

Help your students showcase their achievements and skills through a digital portfolio on platforms like LinkedIn or Behance. This activity promotes self-reflection, goal-setting, and digital presentation skills; empowering students to showcase their talents to potential future employers or educational institutions. They can curate and share their best work; including everything from projects and artwork to writing samples. 

Learn More: Dribbble