New Year is a time for new beginnings and reflection. Create your own new year time capsule to help children think about the present and the future. New Year Time Capsule activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity New Year Time Capsule activity outline How to extend this activity Remember to make a note in… Continue reading Early years activity: New Year Time Capsule
Blog Tag: Activity
Early years activity: Cosy calm den
Periods of excitement or routine changes can often feel overwhelming for young children, bringing extra noise, activity and heightened emotions. This activity provides a cosy, calming retreat where children can step away from the busyness around them. The den offers a quiet space for moments of stillness and emotional regulation whenever children need a peaceful break. Cosy… Continue reading Early years activity: Cosy calm den
Early years activity: Indoor jungle safari adventure
This jungle safari adventure is a fun and engaging indoor obstacle course designed especially for babies and toddlers. It is a safe, sensory-rich activity that encourages little ones to crawl, climb and explore as they journey through a series of soft, themed challenges. Perfect for developing motor skills, coordination and confidence, this playful adventure brings… Continue reading Early years activity: Indoor jungle safari adventure
Early years activity: Rainbow rice art
Explore colours and textures in this sensory rainbow rice activity. Using their sense of touch, smell, sight and sound, children create a beautiful, unique, textured piece of artwork, developing fine motor skills and expressive language along the way. Rainbow rice art activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Rainbow rice art activity… Continue reading Early years activity: Rainbow rice art
Early years activity: Comparing natural objects
Maths can be found in every aspect of nature and it provides endless opportunities for children to explore mathematical concepts. This activity will look at making comparisons between natural objects found in nature. Comparing natural objects activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Comparing natural objects activity outline How to extend this activity… Continue reading Early years activity: Comparing natural objects
Early years activity: Leaf printing
Leaf printing is a fun and sensory way for young children to explore nature, colours, shapes and textures. By using real leaves and paint, children can create unique patterns while developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This activity also helps children to develop an understanding of seasonal changes and encourages curiosity about the natural… Continue reading Early years activity: Leaf printing
Early years activity: Scrumptious soup
This simple cooking activity encourages sensory exploration, fine motor skills and early maths through hands-on food preparation. Children will help wash, stir and measure ingredients to make a healthy Honeyed Carrot Soup, while learning about where food comes from and trying new tastes. Scrumptious soup activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Ingredients … Continue reading Early years activity: Scrumptious soup
Early years activity: Kindness potion
In the kindness potion lab, children mix ingredients for helping, sharing and other kind acts. This sensory, PSED focussed activity helps build language for feelings, turn taking and kind, gentle words. Kindness potion activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Kindness potion activity outline How to extend this activity NDNA products to support you with this activity Building your… Continue reading Early years activity: Kindness potion
Early years activity: Make your own safety clothing
This activity helps children explore how bright and reflective materials improve visibility in the dark. Through hands-on fun making ‘reflective ribbons,’ they’ll learn real-life safety while sparking creativity and curiosity. Make your own safety clothing activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Make your own safety clothing activity outline How to extend this… Continue reading Early years activity: Make your own safety clothing
Early years activity: Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night is a traditional celebration, filled with the excitement of fireworks, sparklers and bright colours lighting up the sky. For young children, this can feel magical, but it may also be a little overwhelming. This activity offers a safe and creative way to join in the celebrations by making sparkly firework pictures. Through art… Continue reading Early years activity: Bonfire Night
Early years activity: What makes us the same?
This is a fun personal, social and emotional activity that helps children recognise shared qualities and build a sense of belonging. Through mirrors, games and a group drawing, children explore how similarities connect them while celebrating their uniqueness. What makes us the same activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity What makes… Continue reading Early years activity: What makes us the same?
Early years activity: Picture Perfect
Here, children are given the opportunity to create their very own nursery photo using props, backdrops and as much creativity as they can muster! This fun activity supports children to explore self-expression, confidence and identity while capturing a special memory of their time at nursery. Picture Perfect activity learning aims Resources you will need for… Continue reading Early years activity: Picture Perfect
Early years activity: Animal appreciation
World Animal Day is focused on raising awareness and appreciation of the importance of animals for the planet. Take part in this year’s World Animal Day by using this activity to get children to share their appreciation of their favourite animals. Animal appreciation activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Animal appreciation… Continue reading Early years activity: Animal appreciation
Early years activity: Rainbow Fruits of Africa
Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and value the rich cultures, traditions and contributions of Black heritage. Food is a wonderful way to explore diversity – it brings people together and helps children learn about different places and traditions. South Africa, for example, is home to a wide variety of delicious fruits that… Continue reading Early years activity: Rainbow Fruits of Africa
Early years activity: Harvest treasure hunt
A harvest treasure hunt activity can help children develop physical skills through movement and improves problem-solving as they search and sort items. It supports early maths through counting and categorising, while enhancing language skills as they learn new words. It’s a fun, engaging way to support multiple areas of early learning. Harvest treasure hunt learning… Continue reading Early years activity: Harvest treasure hunt
Early years activity: Flying High
Explore flight and cause and effect with our hands-on kite making activity. Children design and assemble their own kites, then take them outdoors to run, fly and watch them soar and dance in the wind. Recycling junk play learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Recycling junk play activity outline How to extend… Continue reading Early years activity: Flying High
Early years activity: Recycling – junk play
Modelling with recycled ‘junk’ can encourage children’s creativity, collaboration, problem solving and sense of achievement. This activity can also be used to support children’s awareness of recycling materials and repurposing items that are no longer in use. Recycling junk play learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Recycling junk play activity outline How… Continue reading Early years activity: Recycling – junk play
Early years activity: One of a Kind – That’s Me!
Let’s celebrate what makes every child one of a kind! Guide children on a journey of self-discovery – exploring their likes, differences and what makes them unique. Through stories, thoughtful discussions and creative activities, we’ll build self-esteem and celebrate what makes each of us truly unique. One of a Kind – That’s Me! learning aims… Continue reading Early years activity: One of a Kind – That’s Me!
Early years activity: Sharing and telling stories
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
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