It’s that time of year when the dark nights are closing in and children are noticing the changes in the world around them. This activity provides an opportunity for children to explore darkness in an exciting way by using all their senses in a familiar environment, giving them the confidence and skills to share ideas… Continue reading Early years activity: Poetry in the Dark
Blog Tag: Activity
Early years activity: Nature’s colours
This is a simple outdoor activity that encourages children to explore the natural world through colour, observation and creativity. Children can search for different colours in their surroundings, collect natural treasures and use them to create their own designs, supporting curiosity, language development and a growing appreciation of nature. Nature’s colours learning aims Resources you… Continue reading Early years activity: Nature’s colours
Early years activity: Diwali celebrations
Stories are a wonderful way to explore and connect with the traditions and the cultural significance of festivals and celebrations. This week’s activity aims to develop children’s understanding of Diwali through the power of storytelling. The activities can be used as part of your wider programme of Diwali celebrations. Diwali celebrations learning aims Resources you… Continue reading Early years activity: Diwali celebrations
Early years activity: Yoga and Me
Yoga can be a fun and playful way for young children to explore movement and discover what their bodies can do. Simple poses and movements encourage children to stretch, reach, bend, balance and hold different positions, helping to develop core strength, stability, balance, co-ordination and body awareness. During our yoga and me activity, children can… Continue reading Early years activity: Yoga and Me
Early years activity: Sensory harvest tray
This sensory harvest tray activity is a wonderful way for babies and young children to explore the sights, smells, textures and sounds of autumn. Using a range of natural harvest-inspired materials, children can investigate at their own pace while developing their senses, curiosity, communication and physical skills through hands-on, playful exploration. Sensory harvest tray learning… Continue reading Early years activity: Sensory harvest tray
Early years activity: Mirror Faces
This simple activity which encourages children to explore their emotions and expressions through play. Using mirrors, children can observe their own faces, copy different expressions and begin to recognise how our faces can show how we are feeling. The activity also supports children’s confidence, communication and self-awareness in a playful and engaging way. Mirror faces… Continue reading Early years activity: Mirror Faces
Early years activity: Repurposing and Recycling
Teaching children about recycling will support them to develop environmentally friendly habits as they grow. This activity will challenge children to think about reusing and repurposing everyday items, encouraging them to think creatively about how objects can be given a new purpose rather than being thrown away. Repurposing and recycling learning aims Resources you will… Continue reading Early years activity: Repurposing and Recycling
Early years activity: My hair and me
World Afro Day is a Global Day of Celebration and liberation for Afro hair. The day aims to challenge negative attitudes and help people understand and appreciate the diversity of Afro hair and identity. This my hair and me activity provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the idea that everyone’s hair is different, and every… Continue reading Early years activity: My hair and me
Early years activity: Carnival comes to nursery
The following activities are perfect for your celebration of Black history. Early preparations will ensure it’s well-planned, meaningful and understood by everyone. Children will have the opportunity to make instruments, feel the rhythm of the music and the pure joy of Black British carnival tradition. Carnival comes to nursery learning aims Resources you will need… Continue reading Early years activity: Carnival comes to nursery
Early years activity: Outdoor Storytime
Storytime outdoors offers children a wonderful opportunity to combine literacy, physical activity and imaginative play. Taking a familiar story into the natural environment encourages children to become active participants rather than just listeners, inspiring them to explore, move, create and collaborate. By inventing their own version of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, children develop… Continue reading Early years activity: Outdoor Storytime
Early years activity: Friendship circle
Practitioners play an important role in supporting children’s friendships, through creating inclusive environments, role modelling positive interactions and providing opportunities for children to socialise in varied peer groups. Learning how to be a good friend builds the foundations for future healthy relationships and confident socialisation, which supports positive mental well-being. Friendship circle learning aims Resources… Continue reading Early years activity: Friendship circle
Early years activity: Exploring our amazing planet with loose parts
Children are naturally curious about the world around them, and open-ended play with loose parts provides endless opportunities for exploration, creativity and discovery. Our planet is full of fascinating environments, from lush rainforests and sandy deserts to icy polar regions and rocky coastlines. This activity introduces children to some of the diverse habitats found around… Continue reading Early years activity: Exploring our amazing planet with loose parts
Early years activity: Making it up as we go
Here’s a creative activity that firmly puts process before product. Children explore loose parts and recyclables with only their curiosity and freedom to change their minds and no fixed outcome expected. Making it up as we go learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Making it up as we go activity outline How to extend this activity NDNA… Continue reading Early years activity: Making it up as we go
Early years activity: Beanbag play
Physical activity is an essential part of children’s development, helping to build strength, coordination, balance and confidence while promoting a healthy lifestyle. These simple beanbag activities encourage active play through fun, engaging experiences. Beanbag play learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Beanbag play activity outline How to extend this activity You could redo each… Continue reading Early years activity: Beanbag play
Early years activity: Sensory sounds space
Outdoor play provides children with opportunities to use their energy as they run, climb, play, and explore. To support the body’s natural rhythm of activity and rest, the outdoor environment should also include quiet spaces where children can relax, recharge, reflect, and observe the natural world, enjoying peaceful moments that promote their emotional well-being and self-regulation. Sensory sounds space learning… Continue reading Early years activity: Sensory sounds space
Early years activity: Nature Rangers Role Play
Promote imaginative and outdoor play with a Nature Rangers-themed role play area. Children can search for natural treasures, care for wildlife and discover the wonders of the natural world through exciting adventures. This engaging activity encourages curiosity, communication, teamwork and a love of nature as children take on special missions to protect, investigate and care for the world around them. Nature Rangers Role Play… Continue reading Early years activity: Nature Rangers Role Play
Early years activity: Look what I can do
This July, we mark Disability Pride Month with a simple, sensory printing activity using paint and paper. Children make prints with their hands, feet, elbows, fingers, fists, feet, knees, choosing for themselves how their body meets the page. The resulting display celebrates the fact that there is no single right way for a body to work and that… Continue reading Early years activity: Look what I can do
Minibeast and bug discovery early years activity
In this activity, children will become little explorers as they go on a minibeast and bug discovery adventure. Using magnifying glasses, they can closely observe the creatures they discover, encouraging curiosity, careful observation and early scientific thinking. The activity also helps children develop an appreciation of the natural world and promotes respect and care for living things. Learning activities What you’ll need… Continue reading Minibeast and bug discovery early years activity
Early years activity: Ball bonanza
Physical activity is essential for good health and well-being and the activity ideas below are designed to support children’s gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination and confidence through a range of high energy ball games, offering lots of fun. Ball bonanza learning aims Resources you will need for this activity See individual activities. Ball… Continue reading Early years activity: Ball bonanza
Early years activity: World Bee Day
Celebrate World Bee Day with this meaningful activity. Children use natural and recycled materials to build their very own bee hotel – a safe, cosy shelter for bees to rest and nest. Through exploring, making and doing something real for nature, children begin to understand why bees matter and how even the smallest actions can make a huge difference. World Bee Day learning aims Resources you… Continue reading Early years activity: World Bee Day