Sharing and telling stories helps children develop language, imagination and social skills. It builds vocabulary, strengthens memory and teaches important life lessons. Stories also foster empathy, creativity and a love for reading, laying the foundation for lifelong learning. Sharing and telling stories learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Sharing and telling stories… Continue reading Early years activity: Sharing and telling stories
Blog Tag: Activity
Early years activity: Sound spotters
Make a sensory adventure by exploring the outdoors with eyes closed and ears wide open! This playful walk helps builds attention, extends vocabulary and motivates children to communicate. Sound spotters learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Sound spotters activity outline How to extend this activity Create ‘listening stations’ in your outdoor environment.… Continue reading Early years activity: Sound spotters
Environmental Print Activity – Scavenger Hunt
A walk in your local community can be a fun and engaging way of identifying a range of environmental print that children see and use in their daily lives. Learning aims Resources Activity guide Extension ideas Create a project book or display, using the photos you took for your scavenger hunt and the additional images… Continue reading Environmental Print Activity – Scavenger Hunt
Early years activity: Big marks, little hands
Mark making starts long before children pick up a pencil – and sand is the perfect sensory surface to explore it. This simple and engaging activity invites curious children to make their mark, build those early writing muscles and express themselves creatively and playfully. Big marks, little hands learning aims Resources you will need for… Continue reading Early years activity: Big marks, little hands
Early years activity: Shape hunt
A shape hunt helps children develop mathematical concepts, language and motor skills through playful exploration. As they find and name shapes, they build confidence, problem-solving abilities and curiosity in a fun, hands-on way. Shape hunt learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Shape hunt activity guide How to extend this activity Disclaimer: Activities… Continue reading Early years activity: Shape hunt
Summer sensory exploration: What’s in the box?
Using available resources and guided questioning, this interactive summer sensory exploration activity encourages curiosity, descriptive language and a focus on sensory awareness. Have fun with the sights, sounds, textures and aromas of summer. What’s in the box learning aims Resources you will need for this activity What’s in the box activity outline How to extend… Continue reading Summer sensory exploration: What’s in the box?
Early years activity: Ice rescue mission
In this fun and engaging activity, children work together to rescue small toys frozen in blocks of ice. It’s a fantastic way to experiment, explore cause and effect and stay cool in warm weather. The activity encourages teamwork, communication and problem-solving, supporting personal, social and emotional development. Children are naturally fascinated by ice and will… Continue reading Early years activity: Ice rescue mission
Healthy Ice-cream
As the third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day, why not make your own healthy ice-cream for children to enjoy as a summer treat. You can choose your own ingredients to make a range of flavours to suit children’s taste buds. Learning aims Resources you will need Ingredients for ice cream mixture Healthy… Continue reading Healthy Ice-cream
Early years activity: Smoothing Transitions
Moving from nursery to school is a big step for young children and their parents. It’s an exciting time, but it can also bring challenges. By creating a supportive environment and encouraging open conversations, practitioners can help ease worries, answer questions, and provide practical guidance. This activity is designed to make the transition to school… Continue reading Early years activity: Smoothing Transitions
Early years activity: Making, shaping and exploring dough
This is an easy, accessible activity that encourages creativity, sensory exploration and expands vocabulary. In this activity children create their own dough and get to explore its properties by mixing, rolling, stretching and shaping it into various forms. It’s a fun way to incorporate early learning concepts such as shape, colour and numbers while encouraging… Continue reading Early years activity: Making, shaping and exploring dough
Early Years Maths Activity: Sorting Socks
Develop children’s mathematical understanding by using everyday items to sort into matching pairs. Socks are a great way to look at patterns, similarities and differences, and provide problem solving opportunities for children. Learning aims Resources you will need Sorting Socks activity guide How can you extend this Sorting Socks activity? Provide a basket of socks,… Continue reading Early Years Maths Activity: Sorting Socks
My special star – Inclusive Father’s Day craft activity
Children create a bright, colourful star-shaped suncatcher to celebrate someone special in their life. The star symbolises how their special person lights up their world – whether that’s a dad, mum, grandparent, carer, or another important person. This activity offers a colourful way to celebrate love that’s adaptable, inclusive, and enjoyable. Inclusive Father’s Day activity… Continue reading My special star – Inclusive Father’s Day craft activity
Early years activity: Fruit kebabs (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)
This week’s activity brings The Very Hungry Caterpillar story to life through a fun and interactive fruit kebab making session. As children create their own fruit kebabs, they’ll reinforce the story’s themes of healthy eating and develop their fine motor skills. It’s a great way for children to connect with the story and enjoy a… Continue reading Early years activity: Fruit kebabs (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)
Early years activity: Smoothie sensation
Explore healthy eating with this hands-on smoothie making activity. Children mix and match ingredients to create a sensational smoothie, supporting confidence in trying new tastes and an appreciation of healthy, nutritious food. Smoothie sensation activity learning aims This early years activity will help children to: Resources you will need Smoothie sensation activity outline How to… Continue reading Early years activity: Smoothie sensation
Let’s get growing: Early years gardening activity
The focus for National Gardening Week (24 May – 1 June) is on new and beginner gardeners. Develop children’s curiosity and wonder for planting and gardening with our early years gardening activity. Early years gardening activity learning aims This early years activity will help children to: • Develop fine motor skills• Practice mathematical language, comparisons,… Continue reading Let’s get growing: Early years gardening activity
Early years activity: Big brush outdoor art
This activity invites children to explore painting in a playful and physical way. Using a variety of tools and coloured paints, children can experiment with different movements and techniques, as they dip, swipe, stamp, and splatter, to build coordination, strengthen muscles and express themselves creatively. Learning aims Resources Big brush outdoor art activity guide Set… Continue reading Early years activity: Big brush outdoor art
What makes me laugh? – Fun early years activity
Laughter helps children bond, express emotions, and build confidence. This fun activity encourages giggles through silly faces and playful games. So, have fun and discover what makes the children (and you) laugh! Learning aims Resource you’ll need What makes me laugh? – Activity guide Have fun with the children and enjoy the sound of their… Continue reading What makes me laugh? – Fun early years activity
Early years activity: Easter bunny obstacle course
Easter is a time for fun, movement, and imagination. This exciting Easter bunny obstacle course is a great way for young children to celebrate while developing their gross motor skills, coordination, and teamwork. Through hopping, crawling, and balancing, children will take on the role of the Easter bunny, collecting eggs along the way. Learning aims… Continue reading Early years activity: Easter bunny obstacle course
Early years activity: Easter maths
This Easter/spring themed sensory tray will be perfect for encouraging the children to engage in a hands on, sensory play experience. It will also help to hone their mathematical thinking and understanding. Learning aims Resources you will need Easter maths activity guide How can you extend this Easter maths activity? Make an Easter/spring themed treasure… Continue reading Early years activity: Easter maths
Early years poetry activity: Whispers of Spring
In this sensory poetry activity, children will use their senses to explore the signs of spring, to be inspired, and spark discussion, leading to the creation of a collaborative poem that captures the essence of spring. Learning aims The learning aims of this activity are to promote sensory engagement by letting children experience nature and… Continue reading Early years poetry activity: Whispers of Spring