Active and Fun Games

Lesson Details

• Subject: Physical Education (PE)
• Year Group: Reception (Ages 4-5)
• Duration: 35 minutes
• Class Size: 24 students
• Location: Sports Hall

Curriculum Links

• UK National Curriculum - Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
  • Physical Development: Moving and Handling
    • Show good control and coordination in large and small movements.
    • Move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space.
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Making Relationships
    • Play cooperatively, taking turns with others.
    • Show sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Develop fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping and balancing.
2. Improve spatial awareness and coordination.
3. Work as part of a group to follow simple instructions and take turns.
4. Engage in energetic activity that promotes a love for movement and PE.

---

Equipment Needed

• Coloured cones
• Bean bags
• Soft foam balls
• Music (optional for warm-up)

---

Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes) – Animal Movements

• Teacher to call out different animals, and children move like them:
  • Rabbit: Hopping on two feet
  • Cheetah: Running fast on tiptoes
  • Elephant: Stomping heavily
  • Flamingo: Balancing on one foot
  • Snake: Slithering on the floor

Focus: Engaging children in dynamic movement while improving coordination.

---

2. Main Activity (25 minutes) – Fun and Active Games

Game 1: Traffic Light Sprint (10 minutes)

(Develops listening skills, reaction time & spatial awareness)

• Teacher calls out coloured commands:

  • Red Light – Stop and freeze
  • Yellow Light – Walk safely
  • Green Light – Run around the space
  • Speed Bump – Jump over an imaginary bump
  • Roundabout – Spin once before continuing

• Gradually increase speed and complexity to challenge students.

---

Game 2: Bean Bag Balance Relay (10 minutes)

(Enhances balance, teamwork & coordination)

• Split students into 4 teams.
• Each child balances a bean bag on their head and carefully walks to the finish line and back.
• If the bean bag falls, they must freeze for a count of three before continuing.
• Encourage team members to cheer for each other!

---

Game 3: Castle Attack! (5 minutes)

(Promotes throwing accuracy & teamwork)

• Set up soft foam balls in a ‘castle’ (a small stack of cones).
• Students work in pairs to gently throw balls and knock down the castle.
• Once knocked down, they must rebuild it as a team before trying again.

---

3. Cool Down (5 minutes) – Stretch and Story Time

• Students sit in a circle and follow along to gentle stretches:
  • Reach for the stars – Stretch arms up
  • Touch your toes – Stretch down slowly
  • Butterfly wings – Sit with feet together and gently flap knees like butterfly wings
• End with a short breathing exercise:
  • "Smell the flowers... blow out the candles" (inhale through nose, exhale through mouth).

Focus: Bringing down heart rate and promoting calmness after active play.

---

Assessment Opportunities

• Observe how confidently children move within space.
• Monitor their ability to follow instructions and participate in team-based activities.
• Encourage peer support and positive behaviour.

---

Differentiation Strategies

• Support: Pair less confident children with a buddy who can model movements.
• Challenge: Add extra movement tasks, such as hopping or balancing with one foot during games.

---

Plenary (Final Discussion) (2 minutes)

• Ask:
  • “What was your favourite game today?”
  • “How did you feel when you were moving?”
  • “Why is it important to listen to instructions in PE?”
• Reinforce the importance of exercise helping our bodies grow and stay healthy.

---

Teacher Notes

• Maintain a high-energy and positive atmosphere to encourage engagement.
• Use clear and simple instructions with visual demonstrations.
• Provide lots of praise and encouragement throughout.

---

This lesson plan delivers a dynamic, structured, and engaging PE session tailored for Reception students, ensuring they develop fundamental movement skills in a fun and supportive environment! 🚀