Balloons offer a real fascination for toddlers! They are slow-moving and floaty, and so really suited to help them develop their coordination. Also, they are soft and springy, and so are probably the safest items that you can throw and whack around! There has been research that suggests that balloons have the following benefits: They …
Have you ever tried playing throwing and catching with a pre-schooler? If you have, chances are, they weren’t very coordinated. It’s only to be expected and certainly nothing to worry about! There are plenty of ways you can help them to throw more accurately and catch more easily. Start slow and easy! In my 20+ …
P.E. lessons can be a bit daunting at times. All that equipment to organize and worry about. Yuck! Then there are the safety aspects to consider. Eek! The good news is, there are plenty of simple P.E. games that you can use with no equipment! The Ultimate List of PE Games With No Equipment Whether …
Hot potato is a fun circle game, that helps children develop a range of skills such as turn-taking, cooperation, and teamwork. As an early education teacher for the last 12 years, I’ve played Hot Potato many times, and I’ve also tried numerous variations of the game. Varying the original game keeps it exciting and fresh. …
When I was young, Red Rover was one of our favorite games. Now that I’m a teacher, I’ve recently seen some children starting to play it again at lunchtime. It brought it all back! Plus it got me thinking about all the variations that you can do of the Red Rover game, as well as …
Duck Duck Goose is one of the ultimate outdoor games for kids and is played the world over. In more than ten years of teaching children, I’ve tried numerous adaptations similar to the traditional game of Duck Duck Goose. In this article, I’ve compiled the very best ideas that you can use. These are both …
In my 12 years of teaching, some of the most hysterical sights I have ever seen have been when doing funny relay races. Children really enjoy these, and these relay races have tremendous benefits such as: Over the years, I have tried so many funny relays, including sack race, egg and spoon race, three legged …
Games like hopscotch have been around for years and no wonder! What small piece of equipment has the most value for money for outdoor learning? If you ask me, it’s the humble piece of chalk! I’ve visited lots of primary schools and childcare settings over the past twelve years and I’ve noticed that where the …
Dinosaurs … they’re a never-ending source of fascination for children and adults alike! Even the quietest of young children will often surprise us with their ability to pronounce the lengthiest of dinosaur names and prehistoric facts about the Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic. In fact, the only activity that encouraged my now 22-year-old son to take …
I have taught children between the ages of 3-5 for the last ten years, and in that time I have played Four Corners or variations of it in many, many ways. Children love it! It’s great for learning, it’s good for PE warm-ups, and they can play it by themselves as well. Research shows the …