Play with a Purpose activities

These pages include 10 activities aimed at children in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Look at what I can do - Body brushing - Who am I? - Shake it up - Weigh it up - Texture massage - Dropping in - Going, going, gone - Bows and bells - Hidden treasure

Each page lists a box of items you can assemble and use in different activities. These activities support the child’s development in ways that correspond to the requirements of the curriculum. 

While each activity relates to the Early Years Foundation Stage, they also support Routes for Learning and the first three P levels.

For each activity, set the scene:

• Choose an appropriate time to play, when the child is alert, comfortable and content.
• Establish a routine; too much stimulation may confuse the child.
• Repeat the same activity many times as this will help the child retain the skills learned.
• Talk about what you and the child are doing.
• Go at the child’s pace, give them time to explore and discover.
• Try to keep distractions to a minimum so that you and the child can stay focused.
• Most importantly – enjoy yourselves, relax and have fun together.