You've got six children across three age bands, it's Tuesday morning, and you need activities that actually hit the EYFS learning goals — not just keep them busy. Here are 25 tried-and-tested activities that childminders actually use, grouped by age.
1. Treasure Basket Discovery — Fill a low basket with safe household objects (wooden spoon, silicone brush, metal lid, fabric scrap). Sit nearby and narrate what they're discovering. EYFS: Physical Development, Understanding the World.
2. Water Play Tray — Shallow tray, 2cm warm water, plastic cups and funnels. Supervision essential. EYFS: Physical Development, Maths.
3. Mirror Peek-a-Boo — Sit facing a low mirror. Cover your face, uncover with a big smile. They'll start joining in. EYFS: Personal & Social, Communication.
4. Texture Walk — Lay down different textures (fluffy towel, bubble wrap, smooth cardboard). Let them crawl or toddle across. EYFS: Physical Development.
5. Singing Sack — Fill a bag with objects matching nursery rhymes. They pick one, you sing the song. EYFS: Communication, Literacy.
6. Colour Hunt — "Find me something RED!" They run around collecting. Count and name together. EYFS: Maths, Communication.
7. Playdough Kitchen — Three-ingredient playdough (flour, salt, water). Add plastic cutlery and bowls. EYFS: Physical Development, Expressive Arts.
8. Story Stones — Paint simple pictures on flat pebbles. They arrange to tell a story. EYFS: Literacy, Communication.
9. Bubble Pop Count — Blow bubbles. Count each pop aloud. EYFS: Maths, Physical Development.
10. Nature Collage — Collect leaves and petals on a walk. Glue onto paper. EYFS: Expressive Arts, Understanding the World.
11. Letter Hunt — Hide magnetic letters in sand. When they find one, say the sound together. EYFS: Literacy.
12. Supermarket Role-Play — Set up a "shop" with empty food boxes. Take turns, add a notepad. EYFS: Maths, Literacy, Personal & Social.
13. Recipe Following — Simple fairy cakes. They measure, pour, stir. EYFS: Maths, Physical Development.
14. Build a Bridge — "Get this car across the gap using only these blocks." EYFS: Problem-solving, Physical Development.
15. Feelings Faces — Draw face outlines on paper plates. Add eyes and mouths for happy, sad, angry. EYFS: Personal & Social, Expressive Arts.
16. Mud Kitchen — Old pots, pans, spoons, and a patch of soil. EYFS: Everything.
17. Chalk Obstacle Course — Draw lines and zigzags. "Jump to the circle! Tiptoe along the line!" EYFS: Physical Development.
18. Plant & Grow — Cress seeds on damp cotton wool. Results in 3 days. EYFS: Understanding the World.
19. Shadow Drawing — Sunny day, chalk, trace shadows. EYFS: Expressive Arts, Physical Development.
20. Listening Walk — Count different sounds. Car, bird, dog, wind. EYFS: Communication, Understanding the World.
21. Dance Freeze · 22. Kim's Game · 23. Scarf Dancing · 24. Name That Sound · 25. What's in the Bag?
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