Games & Activities

Play More. Discover More. Grow Together.

Meaningful little activities that make everyday moments fun and full of discovery.

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Disclaimer: The information in our blogs is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor, midwife, or a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance during pregnancy, delivery, or for your child's health and development.

Mini-games

Play a game together

Tap a game to start. Read the instructions aloud, then let your child have a go.

Play safely. Screens are best in small amounts for young children. Play together, sit close, and take a break after a few rounds.

No sign-up, no adverts and no tracking. The games do not collect any information about your child. We suggest short sessions played together.

Activity library

Find something to play today

Filter by age, type of play and where you are. Every activity has step-by-step instructions, ideas to make it easier or harder, and safety notes.

  • Indoor
    Gross motor

    Tummy-time talk

    • 0–6 months
    • 5 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Head and neck control, Bonding, ListeningYou need: A clean blanket or play mat

  • Indoor
    Sensory play

    High-contrast picture cards

    • 0–6 months
    • 5 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Focusing the eyes, AttentionYou need: Printable high-contrast cards (or bold patterns drawn on card)

  • Indoor
    Sensory play

    Gentle sound exploration

    • 0–6 months
    • 5 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Listening, Turning towards soundYou need: A soft rattle or a closed container with a little rice inside (sealed tightly)

  • Indoor or outdoor
    Language and communication

    Parent and baby talking time

    • 0–6 months
    • 5 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Early communication, BondingYou need: None

  • Indoor
    Social and emotional

    Peekaboo with a scarf

    • 6–12 months
    • 10 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Object permanence, Turn-taking, LaughterYou need: A light scarf or muslin

  • Indoor
    Sensory play

    Soft sensory basket

    • 6–12 months
    • 10 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Touch, Grasping, CuriosityYou need: A low basket, Large safe items: a wooden spoon, a soft brush, a silicone cup, a fabric square

  • Indoor
    Fine motor

    Reaching and grasping game

    • 6–12 months
    • 5 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Hand-eye coordination, GraspingYou need: A soft toy or ring

  • Indoor
    Music and rhythm

    Music and movement

    • 6–12 months
    • 10 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Rhythm, Listening, MovementYou need: Any song you know, Optional: a baby-safe shaker

  • Indoor
    Fine motor

    Stacking blocks

    • 1–2 years
    • 10 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Fine motor skills, Cause and effect, Counting wordsYou need: Large soft or wooden blocks

  • Indoor
    Sensory play

    Colour exploration

    • 1–2 years
    • 10 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Colour words, VocabularyYou need: A basket, Everyday items in one colour

  • Indoor
    Montessori-inspired

    Sorting big objects

    • 1–2 years
    • 10 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Sorting, Matching, LanguageYou need: Two large bowls, Toy cars and soft balls (or any two types)

  • Indoor
    Creativity and imagination

    Simple pretend play

    • 1–2 years
    • 15 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Imagination, Language, EmpathyYou need: A teddy or doll, A cup, spoon and blanket

  • Indoor
    Memory and concentration

    Picture matching

    • 2–3 years
    • 10 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Visual memory, Matching, ConcentrationYou need: Printable matching cards

  • Indoor
    Puzzles and problem solving

    Simple puzzles

    • 2–3 years
    • 15 min
    • Medium

    Skills: Problem solving, Shapes, PersistenceYou need: A chunky 3 to 6 piece puzzle

  • Indoor
    Drawing and painting

    Finger painting

    • 2–3 years
    • 20 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Creativity, Senses, Colour mixingYou need: Washable child-safe paint, Paper, An apron or old clothes, Wipes

  • Indoor
    Early maths

    Sorting and grouping

    • 2–3 years
    • 15 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Sorting, Colours, LanguageYou need: Pairs of socks or other safe household items

  • Indoor
    Storytelling

    Storytelling basket

    • 3–4 years
    • 20 min
    • Medium

    Skills: Language, Imagination, SequencingYou need: A basket with 3 or 4 toys

  • Indoor
    Memory and concentration

    Memory tray game

    • 3–4 years
    • 10 min
    • Medium

    Skills: Memory, Concentration, VocabularyYou need: A tray, 4 to 6 everyday objects, A tea towel

  • Indoor or outdoor
    Early maths

    Shape hunt

    • 3–4 years
    • 15 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Shape recognition, ObservationYou need: Optional: printable shape sheet

  • Indoor
    Drawing and painting

    Creative drawing

    • 3–4 years
    • 20 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Imagination, Pencil grip, Talking about ideasYou need: Paper, Chunky crayons

  • Outdoor
    Early maths

    Counting jumps

    • 4–5 years
    • 10 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Counting, Number recognition, BalanceYou need: Chalk

  • Outdoor
    Nature exploration

    Nature treasure hunt

    • 4–5 years
    • 30 min
    • Medium

    Skills: Observation, Counting, VocabularyYou need: Printable treasure hunt list, A bag

  • Indoor
    Puzzles and problem solving

    Sequencing story cards

    • 4–5 years
    • 15 min
    • Medium

    Skills: Sequencing, Logical thinking, LanguageYou need: Printable sequencing cards or drawings

  • Indoor
    Science and discovery

    Simple building challenge

    • 4–5 years
    • 20 min
    • Medium

    Skills: Problem solving, Engineering ideas, PersistenceYou need: Blocks, books or cardboard, A toy car

  • Indoor
    Science and discovery

    Kitchen science: sink or float

    • 5–7 years
    • 25 min
    • Medium

    Skills: Predicting, Observation, Recording resultsYou need: A large bowl of water, Safe objects: a spoon, cork, leaf, toy, apple

  • Indoor
    Puzzles and problem solving

    Logic puzzles

    • 5–7 years
    • 15 min
    • Challenging

    Skills: Logical thinking, Listening, ReasoningYou need: 3 toys, 3 cups or boxes

  • Indoor
    Early maths

    Pattern making

    • 5–7 years
    • 15 min
    • Medium

    Skills: Patterns, Prediction, Early mathsYou need: Coloured paper shapes or large blocks

  • Indoor
    Creativity and imagination

    Recycled creature project

    • 5–7 years
    • 40 min
    • Medium

    Skills: Creativity, Planning, Fine motorYou need: Clean cardboard boxes and tubes, Child-safe glue, Crayons or paint

  • Outdoor
    Social and emotional

    Team relay games

    • 5–7 years
    • 20 min
    • Easy

    Skills: Teamwork, Taking turns, MovementYou need: A ball, Two markers

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

Gross motor

Tummy-time talk

Short, happy tummy-time sessions with your face close by, to build neck and shoulder strength while you chat.

  • Age 0–6 months
  • About 5 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Practise lifting and turning the head
  • Enjoy face-to-face time

Skills supported

  • Head and neck control
  • Bonding
  • Listening

You will need

  • A clean blanket or play mat

Before you start

  • Choose a time when your baby is awake and not just fed
  • Lay the mat on the floor

Step by step

  1. Lay your baby on their tummy on the mat
  2. Lie down facing them at eye level
  3. Talk, sing or make gentle faces
  4. Stop after a minute or two, or sooner if your baby is unhappy
  5. Try again a few times through the day

Ways to join in

  • Copy your baby's sounds back to them
  • Name what they look at

Make it easier

  • Try tummy time lying on your chest instead of the floor.

Make it harder

  • Place a toy just out of reach to the side to encourage turning.

Safety for this activity

  • Always stay with your baby during tummy time
  • Babies should always be put to sleep on their back, not their tummy

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Sensory play

High-contrast picture cards

Bold black-and-white patterns are easy for young babies to see. Show them slowly and watch your baby look.

  • Age 0–6 months
  • About 5 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Practise focusing and following with the eyes

Skills supported

  • Focusing the eyes
  • Attention

You will need

  • Printable high-contrast cards (or bold patterns drawn on card)

Before you start

  • Print the cards or draw simple stripes, dots and circles

Step by step

  1. Hold a card about 20 to 30 cm from your baby's face
  2. Wait while they look
  3. Move it slowly from side to side
  4. Swap cards when they look away

Ways to join in

  • Describe the shapes in a sing-song voice

Make it easier

  • Use just one card with big stripes.

Make it harder

  • Move the card slowly in a circle.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep cards out of reach so they are not chewed
  • Stop if your baby turns away or seems tired

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Sensory play

Gentle sound exploration

Make soft sounds on each side of your baby and watch them turn towards the noise.

  • Age 0–6 months
  • About 5 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Notice and turn towards sounds

Skills supported

  • Listening
  • Turning towards sound

You will need

  • A soft rattle or a closed container with a little rice inside (sealed tightly)

Before you start

  • Seal any homemade shaker very securely with tape

Step by step

  1. Lie your baby on their back on a mat
  2. Shake the rattle gently on one side
  3. Wait for them to turn or look
  4. Repeat on the other side
  5. Smile and praise when they find the sound

Ways to join in

  • Sing a short song between sounds

Make it easier

  • Shake the rattle where your baby can see it.

Make it harder

  • Use very quiet sounds.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep sounds gentle and not close to the ear
  • Homemade shakers must be sealed and only used by an adult

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Language and communication

Parent and baby talking time

Back-and-forth "conversations" with coos and smiles help your baby learn that talking is a two-way thing.

  • Age 0–6 months
  • About 5 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor or outdoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Take turns making sounds
  • Enjoy eye contact

Skills supported

  • Early communication
  • Bonding

You will need

  • None

Before you start

  • Find a calm moment, such as after a nappy change

Step by step

  1. Hold your baby facing you
  2. Say a few words slowly and smile
  3. Pause and wait for a coo or wiggle
  4. Answer back as if they had spoken
  5. Keep going while your baby is enjoying it

Ways to join in

  • Narrate what you are doing during the day

Make it easier

  • Use just one or two sounds and lots of smiles.

Make it harder

  • Add simple songs with actions.

Safety for this activity

  • Follow your baby's cues and stop when they look away

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Social and emotional

Peekaboo with a scarf

The classic game that helps babies learn that things still exist when they cannot see them.

  • Age 6–12 months
  • About 10 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Learn that hidden things come back
  • Share attention and fun

Skills supported

  • Object permanence
  • Turn-taking
  • Laughter

You will need

  • A light scarf or muslin

Before you start

  • Sit facing your baby

Step by step

  1. Cover your face with the scarf
  2. Ask "Where's Mummy/Daddy?"
  3. Pull the scarf away and say "Peekaboo!"
  4. Let your baby pull the scarf off
  5. Hide a toy under the scarf and let them find it

Ways to join in

  • Take turns hiding

Make it easier

  • Only half cover your face.

Make it harder

  • Hide a toy under one of two cloths.

Safety for this activity

  • Never leave scarves near a sleeping baby
  • Supervise at all times

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Sensory play

Soft sensory basket

A basket of safe everyday things with different textures for your baby to touch and explore.

  • Age 6–12 months
  • About 10 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Explore different textures
  • Practise grasping

Skills supported

  • Touch
  • Grasping
  • Curiosity

You will need

  • A low basket
  • Large safe items: a wooden spoon, a soft brush, a silicone cup, a fabric square

Before you start

  • Check every item is large, clean, unbreakable and has no small parts

Step by step

  1. Sit your baby with support next to the basket
  2. Let them choose an item
  3. Name the texture: soft, bumpy, smooth
  4. Swap items in and out over time

Ways to join in

  • Describe what your baby is doing

Make it easier

  • Offer one item at a time.

Make it harder

  • Add a lid box to post things into.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep small parts and anything that fits through a toilet-roll tube away from children under 3
  • Remove anything breakable, sharp or with strings
  • Stay within arm's reach

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Fine motor

Reaching and grasping game

Hold a favourite toy where your baby can reach for it, to practise grabbing and passing between hands.

  • Age 6–12 months
  • About 5 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Reach for and hold objects
  • Pass toys from hand to hand

Skills supported

  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Grasping

You will need

  • A soft toy or ring

Before you start

  • Sit your baby supported

Step by step

  1. Hold the toy in front of your baby
  2. Wait for them to reach
  3. Let them take it
  4. Offer a second toy to the other hand

Ways to join in

  • Cheer each grab

Make it easier

  • Hold the toy closer.

Make it harder

  • Hold it slightly to the side or higher.

Safety for this activity

  • Use toys made for babies, with no small parts

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Music and rhythm

Music and movement

Bounce, sway and clap together to simple songs.

  • Age 6–12 months
  • About 10 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Feel a steady beat
  • Enjoy moving together

Skills supported

  • Rhythm
  • Listening
  • Movement

You will need

  • Any song you know
  • Optional: a baby-safe shaker

Before you start

  • Clear a safe space

Step by step

  1. Hold your baby securely
  2. Sing a simple song
  3. Sway or bounce gently to the beat
  4. Pause the song and wait for your baby to wiggle before starting again

Ways to join in

  • Clap your baby's hands together to the beat

Make it easier

  • Just sway slowly.

Make it harder

  • Add stops and starts.

Safety for this activity

  • Support your baby's head and body
  • Keep movements gentle; never shake a baby

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Fine motor

Stacking blocks

Build towers and knock them down. Simple, repeatable and lots of fun.

  • Age 1–2 years
  • About 10 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Practise placing and balancing
  • Learn cause and effect

Skills supported

  • Fine motor skills
  • Cause and effect
  • Counting words

You will need

  • Large soft or wooden blocks

Before you start

  • Put the blocks on a flat surface

Step by step

  1. Show how to put one block on another
  2. Let your child add the next
  3. Count the blocks together
  4. Knock the tower down and start again

Ways to join in

  • Take turns adding blocks

Make it easier

  • Start with two big blocks.

Make it harder

  • Try to build as tall as your child.

Safety for this activity

  • Use blocks too big to fit in the mouth
  • Keep towers away from faces

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Sensory play

Colour exploration

Collect things of one colour around the house and look at them together.

  • Age 1–2 years
  • About 10 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Hear and use colour words

Skills supported

  • Colour words
  • Vocabulary

You will need

  • A basket
  • Everyday items in one colour

Before you start

  • Pick a colour for the day

Step by step

  1. Show your child something red and say "red"
  2. Look for other red things together
  3. Put them in the basket
  4. Name each one: red cup, red ball

Ways to join in

  • Wear something red too

Make it easier

  • Just name one colour.

Make it harder

  • Sort two colours into two baskets.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep small parts and anything that fits through a toilet-roll tube away from children under 3

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Montessori-inspired

Sorting big objects

Sort big toys into bowls by type, a first step in early maths.

  • Age 1–2 years
  • About 10 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Notice what is the same and different

Skills supported

  • Sorting
  • Matching
  • Language

You will need

  • Two large bowls
  • Toy cars and soft balls (or any two types)

Before you start

  • Mix the toys in a pile

Step by step

  1. Put one car in one bowl and one ball in the other
  2. Ask "Where does this go?"
  3. Help your child sort the rest
  4. Count each bowl together

Ways to join in

  • Use "same" and "different"

Make it easier

  • Use just two of each.

Make it harder

  • Sort by colour instead.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep small parts and anything that fits through a toilet-roll tube away from children under 3

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Creativity and imagination

Simple pretend play

Feed a teddy, put it to bed, give it a bath: everyday pretend play builds imagination and language.

  • Age 1–2 years
  • About 15 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Copy everyday routines in play

Skills supported

  • Imagination
  • Language
  • Empathy

You will need

  • A teddy or doll
  • A cup, spoon and blanket

Before you start

  • Set out the teddy and props

Step by step

  1. Show teddy is hungry
  2. Give your child the spoon to feed teddy
  3. Put teddy to bed with the blanket
  4. Wake teddy up and start again

Ways to join in

  • Talk for teddy in a funny voice

Make it easier

  • Act out just one routine.

Make it harder

  • Add a new routine, like a doctor visit.

Safety for this activity

  • Use child-safe props only

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Memory and concentration

Picture matching

Match pairs of pictures face up, then try a few face down.

  • Age 2–3 years
  • About 10 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Spot pairs
  • Remember where things are

Skills supported

  • Visual memory
  • Matching
  • Concentration

You will need

  • Printable matching cards

Before you start

  • Print and cut the cards (adult only)

Step by step

  1. Lay 3 pairs face up
  2. Ask your child to find two that match
  3. Talk about each picture
  4. When ready, try face down

Ways to join in

  • Take turns

Make it easier

  • Use just 2 pairs, face up.

Make it harder

  • Use 6 pairs face down.

Safety for this activity

  • An adult should do all cutting

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Puzzles and problem solving

Simple puzzles

Chunky puzzles with a few pieces build problem solving and patience.

  • Age 2–3 years
  • About 15 minutes
  • Medium
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Turn and fit pieces
  • Keep trying

Skills supported

  • Problem solving
  • Shapes
  • Persistence

You will need

  • A chunky 3 to 6 piece puzzle

Before you start

  • Choose a puzzle with big pieces

Step by step

  1. Tip the pieces out together
  2. Find one piece and show where it goes
  3. Let your child try the next
  4. Turn pieces to help them fit
  5. Celebrate the finished picture

Ways to join in

  • Give hints, not answers

Make it easier

  • Leave some pieces already in.

Make it harder

  • Try a puzzle with more pieces.

Safety for this activity

  • Check puzzle pieces are not small enough to choke on

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Drawing and painting

Finger painting

Messy, colourful painting with fingers and hands.

  • Age 2–3 years
  • About 20 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Explore colour and texture
  • Make marks freely

Skills supported

  • Creativity
  • Senses
  • Colour mixing

You will need

  • Washable child-safe paint
  • Paper
  • An apron or old clothes
  • Wipes

Before you start

  • Cover the table
  • Put a little paint on a plate

Step by step

  1. Dip a finger in the paint
  2. Make dots and lines
  3. Try two colours and see them mix
  4. Make handprints
  5. Let it dry and hang it up

Ways to join in

  • Paint your own picture alongside

Make it easier

  • Use one colour.

Make it harder

  • Paint a simple picture, like a sun.

Safety for this activity

  • Use paint labelled as safe for young children
  • Wash hands afterwards

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Early maths

Sorting and grouping

Sort socks, spoons or toys into groups by colour or type.

  • Age 2–3 years
  • About 15 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Group things that are the same

Skills supported

  • Sorting
  • Colours
  • Language

You will need

  • Pairs of socks or other safe household items

Before you start

  • Gather a small pile of items

Step by step

  1. Pick up two that match and put them together
  2. Ask your child to find another pair
  3. Make groups by colour
  4. Count each group

Ways to join in

  • Make it a "helping" job

Make it easier

  • Sort just two colours.

Make it harder

  • Sort by size: big and small.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep small parts and anything that fits through a toilet-roll tube away from children under 3

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Storytelling

Storytelling basket

Pull toys out of a basket one at a time and make up a story together.

  • Age 3–4 years
  • About 20 minutes
  • Medium
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Use words to tell a story
  • Put events in order

Skills supported

  • Language
  • Imagination
  • Sequencing

You will need

  • A basket with 3 or 4 toys

Before you start

  • Choose toys that could be characters

Step by step

  1. Take out the first toy and start: "Once upon a time..."
  2. Let your child take out the next toy
  3. Ask what happens next
  4. Finish with "The end!"

Ways to join in

  • Write the story down for them

Make it easier

  • You tell most of the story.

Make it harder

  • Draw pictures of the story afterwards.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep small parts and anything that fits through a toilet-roll tube away from children under 3

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Memory and concentration

Memory tray game

Look at a tray of objects, cover it, take one away and guess which is missing.

  • Age 3–4 years
  • About 10 minutes
  • Medium
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Remember and name objects

Skills supported

  • Memory
  • Concentration
  • Vocabulary

You will need

  • A tray
  • 4 to 6 everyday objects
  • A tea towel

Before you start

  • Put the objects on the tray

Step by step

  1. Name each object together
  2. Cover the tray
  3. Take one away secretly
  4. Uncover and ask what is missing

Ways to join in

  • Let your child be the one who hides

Make it easier

  • Use 3 objects.

Make it harder

  • Take away two objects.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep small parts and anything that fits through a toilet-roll tube away from children under 3

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Early maths

Shape hunt

Look for circles, squares and triangles around the home or on a walk.

  • Age 3–4 years
  • About 15 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor or outdoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Name and spot shapes in the world

Skills supported

  • Shape recognition
  • Observation

You will need

  • Optional: printable shape sheet

Before you start

  • Show the shapes you will look for

Step by step

  1. Pick a shape, such as a circle
  2. Look around and find circles together: clocks, plates, wheels
  3. Tick it off or draw it
  4. Move to the next shape

Ways to join in

  • Take photos of shapes you find

Make it easier

  • Look for one shape only.

Make it harder

  • Find a shape in every room.

Safety for this activity

  • Stay together on walks and near roads

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Drawing and painting

Creative drawing

Draw with prompts like "a house for a dragon" to spark ideas.

  • Age 3–4 years
  • About 20 minutes
  • Easy
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Turn ideas into pictures
  • Practise holding a crayon

Skills supported

  • Imagination
  • Pencil grip
  • Talking about ideas

You will need

  • Paper
  • Chunky crayons

Before you start

  • Write a few fun prompts

Step by step

  1. Read a prompt aloud
  2. Let your child draw however they like
  3. Ask them to tell you about the picture
  4. Write their words under it

Ways to join in

  • Draw your own version

Make it easier

  • Draw anything at all.

Make it harder

  • Make a picture with a beginning, middle and end.

Safety for this activity

  • Use non-toxic crayons

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Early maths

Counting jumps

Jump along chalk numbers, counting out loud.

  • Age 4–5 years
  • About 10 minutes
  • Easy
  • Outdoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Count to 10 and recognise numbers

Skills supported

  • Counting
  • Number recognition
  • Balance

You will need

  • Chalk

Before you start

  • Draw numbers 1 to 10 in a line on a safe surface

Step by step

  1. Jump onto 1 and say "one"
  2. Keep jumping and counting
  3. Call out a number for your child to jump to
  4. Count backwards on the way back

Ways to join in

  • Jump along together

Make it easier

  • Use numbers 1 to 5.

Make it harder

  • Jump only on even numbers.

Safety for this activity

  • Play away from roads and parked cars
  • Check the ground is not slippery

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Nature exploration

Nature treasure hunt

Use a picture list to find leaves, stones, feathers and more.

  • Age 4–5 years
  • About 30 minutes
  • Medium
  • Outdoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Notice details in nature

Skills supported

  • Observation
  • Counting
  • Vocabulary

You will need

  • Printable treasure hunt list
  • A bag

Before you start

  • Print the list
  • Choose a safe park or garden

Step by step

  1. Read the list together
  2. Look for each item
  3. Tick it off when you find it
  4. Talk about the colours and textures

Ways to join in

  • Take photos instead of picking flowers

Make it easier

  • Look for 3 things.

Make it harder

  • Find things of each colour of the rainbow.

Safety for this activity

  • Do not touch fungi, berries or animal droppings
  • Wash hands afterwards
  • Stay together

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Puzzles and problem solving

Sequencing story cards

Put picture cards in order, such as planting a seed or getting dressed.

  • Age 4–5 years
  • About 15 minutes
  • Medium
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Order events: first, next, last

Skills supported

  • Sequencing
  • Logical thinking
  • Language

You will need

  • Printable sequencing cards or drawings

Before you start

  • Cut out the cards (adult only)

Step by step

  1. Mix up the cards
  2. Ask "What happens first?"
  3. Put the cards in order together
  4. Tell the story using first, next, last

Ways to join in

  • Act out the steps

Make it easier

  • Use 3 cards.

Make it harder

  • Use 5 or 6 cards.

Safety for this activity

  • An adult should do the cutting

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Science and discovery

Simple building challenge

Build a bridge for a toy car from blocks, cardboard or books.

  • Age 4–5 years
  • About 20 minutes
  • Medium
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Plan, test and improve a design

Skills supported

  • Problem solving
  • Engineering ideas
  • Persistence

You will need

  • Blocks, books or cardboard
  • A toy car

Before you start

  • Clear a space on the floor

Step by step

  1. Set the challenge: help the car cross a "river" (a scarf)
  2. Build a bridge together
  3. Test it with the car
  4. If it falls, talk about why and try again

Ways to join in

  • Ask "What could make it stronger?"

Make it easier

  • Build a ramp instead.

Make it harder

  • Make the river wider.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep small parts and anything that fits through a toilet-roll tube away from children under 3

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Science and discovery

Kitchen science: sink or float

Guess which objects will sink or float, then test them in a bowl of water.

  • Age 5–7 years
  • About 25 minutes
  • Medium
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Make and test predictions

Skills supported

  • Predicting
  • Observation
  • Recording results

You will need

  • A large bowl of water
  • Safe objects: a spoon, cork, leaf, toy, apple

Before you start

  • Put a towel under the bowl

Step by step

  1. Hold up each object and guess: sink or float?
  2. Drop it in gently
  3. Sort results into two groups
  4. Talk about what floating things have in common

Ways to join in

  • Record answers in a simple table

Make it easier

  • Test 3 objects.

Make it harder

  • Try to make a floating thing sink.

Safety for this activity

  • Always supervise around water, even a bowl
  • Wipe up spills straight away

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Puzzles and problem solving

Logic puzzles

Simple "who is where" riddles with toys to solve step by step.

  • Age 5–7 years
  • About 15 minutes
  • Challenging
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Use clues to reach an answer

Skills supported

  • Logical thinking
  • Listening
  • Reasoning

You will need

  • 3 toys
  • 3 cups or boxes

Before you start

  • Think of 3 simple clues

Step by step

  1. Line up the cups
  2. Give clues: "Bear is not in the middle"
  3. Your child places the toys
  4. Check together with the clues

Ways to join in

  • Let your child make up clues for you

Make it easier

  • Use 2 toys and 1 clue.

Make it harder

  • Use 4 toys and trickier clues.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep small parts and anything that fits through a toilet-roll tube away from children under 3

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Early maths

Pattern making

Make and continue patterns with coloured paper, buttons or blocks.

  • Age 5–7 years
  • About 15 minutes
  • Medium
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Spot and extend patterns

Skills supported

  • Patterns
  • Prediction
  • Early maths

You will need

  • Coloured paper shapes or large blocks

Before you start

  • Cut paper shapes (adult)

Step by step

  1. Make a pattern: red, blue, red, blue
  2. Ask what comes next
  3. Let your child continue it
  4. Make a new pattern together

Ways to join in

  • Clap or stamp the pattern

Make it easier

  • Use AB patterns.

Make it harder

  • Try ABC or AAB patterns.

Safety for this activity

  • Keep small parts and anything that fits through a toilet-roll tube away from children under 3

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Creativity and imagination

Recycled creature project

Turn clean boxes and tubes into a creature, then give it a name and a story.

  • Age 5–7 years
  • About 40 minutes
  • Medium
  • Indoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Plan and build a design
  • Use tools carefully

Skills supported

  • Creativity
  • Planning
  • Fine motor

You will need

  • Clean cardboard boxes and tubes
  • Child-safe glue
  • Crayons or paint

Before you start

  • Collect clean, dry materials

Step by step

  1. Look at the materials and imagine a creature
  2. Stick the parts together
  3. Decorate it
  4. Give it a name and tell its story

Ways to join in

  • Help with tricky sticking

Make it easier

  • Decorate one box.

Make it harder

  • Make a home for the creature too.

Safety for this activity

  • Use child-safe scissors only, with an adult
  • Use non-toxic glue

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.
Social and emotional

Team relay games

Simple relay races with family or friends: carry a ball, hop, or walk like an animal.

  • Age 5–7 years
  • About 20 minutes
  • Easy
  • Outdoor

Play safely. Every activity needs an adult nearby. Keep small parts, beads, coins, magnets and button batteries away from children under 3, check materials for choking hazards before you start, and stop if your child is tired or upset.

What it helps with

  • Play fairly and cheer others on

Skills supported

  • Teamwork
  • Taking turns
  • Movement

You will need

  • A ball
  • Two markers

Before you start

  • Set two markers a short distance apart

Step by step

  1. Split into two teams
  2. Each player runs to the marker and back
  3. Tag the next player
  4. Cheer everyone at the end

Ways to join in

  • Join a team yourself

Make it easier

  • Walk instead of run.

Make it harder

  • Add a ball to carry on a spoon.

Safety for this activity

  • Play on soft, flat ground away from roads
  • Take breaks and drink water

Related activities

These are optional play ideas, not a programme your child has to complete. Children develop at different paces; follow your child's interest and stop when they have had enough.

Printables

Print, play and learn

Print on A4 or Letter paper at "fit to page". Crayons, pencils and scissors need an adult nearby; use child-safe scissors only.

Learning calendar

Plan a playful week

Optional play ideas for the week, not a developmental programme. Change any answer and the plan updates.

    Types of play

    Fifteen ways to learn through play