1
Hot Potato Tag
How to Play
1Children sit in a circle. Teacher says: 'Sit down, everyone — we're passing the hot potato!' Teacher starts upbeat music and hands a soft ball to the first child.
2Teacher calls: 'Pass, pass, pass the potato — fast!' Children pass quickly around the circle. Teacher: 'Keep going — don't hold it too long!'
3When the music stops, Teacher points to the child holding the ball: 'You! Stand up and run around the OUTSIDE of the circle — go!' Child runs. Everyone cheers.
4Teacher cheers loudly: 'Hot potato, hot potato — who has it?' Children laugh and point. Everyone claps for every runner, no matter how fast.
5Teacher starts the music again: 'Here we go — everyone runs today!' Play until every child has run once. Teacher: 'All hot potatoes ran — brilliant!'
Teacher TipKeep the energy collective: clap for every runner. Every child should run in the first round so no one waits nervously.
2
Flashcard Fitness Relay
How to Play
1Teacher places four flashcards on chairs across the room at child eye level. Teacher: 'See those cards? Run to one, say the word LOUD, run back!'
2Divide into two or three teams. Teacher points to the first child in each team: 'You! Run to the card, say the word, and run back!' Children watch eagerly.
3First child from each team runs, names the word, and runs back. Teacher checks: 'Did everyone on your team hear it? Say it TOGETHER!'
4Next child goes. Teacher cheers for EVERY team: 'Go, go, GO! Run like tigers!' No scores, no tracking — just running and reading.
5After every child has gone, Teacher high-fives each child: 'You ran AND you read — well done!' All teams celebrate together.
Teacher TipKeep the energy collective. Call out encouragement to each team, not individual scores. Every child should be recognised before the game ends.
3
Freeze Dance Move
How to Play
1Play upbeat music. Teacher says: 'Dance however you like — arms up, feet moving, feel the beat!' Children dance freely around the gym.
2Teacher stops the music — immediately shouts: 'FREEZE!' Children hold their pose. Teacher instantly holds up a flashcard: 'Everyone — what's this?' Class: 'APPLE!'
3Teacher: 'Beautiful! Now — when I start the music, MOVE!' Music plays again. Children dance. Teacher watches with a smile and wide eyes.
4Teacher stops the music again: 'FREEZE — every part of you still!' Show the next card. Class names it together. Teacher: 'Louder this time!'
5After five rounds, Teacher: 'All freeze — you listened so well! Let's do five more!' Celebrate effort, not whether the word was correct.
Teacher TipThe key is immediate freeze plus immediate card reveal — no gap. Children stay engaged because the pace never slows.
4
Ball Toss Naming
How to Play
1Children stand in a circle. Teacher holds a soft ball: 'I'm going to toss this to someone — when you catch it, say a word we know!'
2Teacher tosses gently to a child. Child catches, says a word: 'BANANA!' Teacher: 'Yes! Now toss it to someone new — not next to you!'
3Child tosses to the next child — that child catches and says a different word: 'TIGER!' Keep it going around the circle.
4Teacher: 'Let's count together — how many words can we say in one circle?' Class counts as each child catches and names.
5If the ball is dropped, Teacher picks it up calmly: 'Oops — that's okay! You still get a turn. Let's try again!' No penalty, just retry.
Teacher TipThe goal is quantity and enthusiasm, not perfection. Celebrate every word. If a child hesitates, gently offer a prompt.
5
Cone Colour Sprint
How to Play
1Teacher scatters coloured spots or cards around the floor — blue, red, yellow, green. Teacher: 'Look — colour islands! Everyone find a spot!'
2Teacher calls: 'BLUE!' All children jump onto a blue spot. Teacher: 'What colour?' Children: 'BLUE!' Teacher: 'Louder!' Children: 'BLUE!'
3Teacher changes the call: 'RED!' Children jump to red. Teacher asks one child: 'What colour did you find?' Child: 'RED!' Everyone cheers.
4Teacher: 'YELLOW — GO!' All jump again. Teacher: 'Did everyone reach a spot? Yes! Amazing jumping!' Every child must reach a spot each round.
5Keep calling colours — mix the order so children listen carefully. Teacher: 'All colours, all children — you can JUMP!' No scoring, no competition.
Teacher TipUse more spots than children so everyone always has somewhere to go. No one is out. Celebrate every jump and every colour said.
6
Animal Walk Tag
How to Play
1Teacher chooses one child to be the Caller. Teacher whispers: 'Pick any animal — keep it secret!' Caller shouts the animal: 'ELEPHANT!'
2All children walk like an elephant — big heavy steps, arms as a trunk. Teacher walks with them: 'Be an elephant! Big feet, slow and strong!'
3Caller shouts: 'SNAP!' All children freeze immediately. Caller walks around tapping frozen children one by one.
4Tapped child becomes the new Caller. Teacher: 'Choose your animal!' New Caller: 'RABBIT!' Everyone hops like rabbits. Teacher: 'Rabbits HOP, they don't run!'
5Keep switching animals every 30 seconds. Teacher: 'You are all brilliant animals today!'
Teacher TipThe Caller should stand in the centre so they can see everyone. Energy stays high when you switch animals frequently.
7
Beanbag Balance Race
How to Play
1Each child places a beanbag flat on their head. Teacher demonstrates: 'Like this — balanced, not falling!' Children adjust until it's steady.
2Teacher walks alongside: 'Arms out like airplane wings — steady, slow!' Children walk slowly across the room with beanbags balanced.
3Teacher stands at the finish line holding a flashcard: 'When you reach here, say the word on my card — then you can take the beanbag down!'
4Child reaches the finish, sees the card, says: 'APPLE!' Everyone cheers. Teacher: 'Amazing balance! Who wants to try walking BACKWARDS?'
5Teacher shows a new card. Children try walking AND naming the word at the same time. Teacher: 'You did TWO things — brilliant!'
Teacher TipWalking backwards with a beanbag is genuinely hard. Celebrate the attempt. Improvement within one session is the real goal.
8
Flashcard Gym Hunt
How to Play
1Before class, Teacher hides flashcards around the gym at different heights. Teacher: 'The gym has secrets today! Find a card and bring it to me!'
2Teacher: 'When you show me your card, say the word — then find another one!' Children scatter and search eagerly.
3Child finds a card and brings it to Teacher. Teacher holds up the card: 'What is this?' Child: 'DOG!' Teacher: 'Yes! Say it again — LOUD!' Child: 'DOG!'
4Class repeats together: 'DOG! DOG!' Teacher writes a tally on the board: every word counts. Teacher: 'How many words have we found? Let's count!'
5After ten minutes, Teacher: 'Show me your favourite word today — say it with your whole body!' Children jump and shout their favourite word.
Teacher TipCounting total words found is motivating without being competitive. Write the running total on the board so children see the class score grow.
9
Stretch and Name
How to Play
1Children sit in a circle. Teacher rolls a soft ball to the first child. Child catches it and says a body part loudly: 'HEAD!'
2Teacher: 'Touch your HEAD!' Child touches their head. Everyone copies. Teacher: 'Yes — you are all touching your HEAD!' All children touch their heads.
3Teacher rolls to the next child. Child catches and says: 'SHOULDERS!' Teacher: 'Show me your shoulders!' Child lifts both shoulders. Everyone copies.
4Try elbows, knees, toes, chin — Teacher exaggerates every movement. Teacher: 'Big shoulders — like you're holding the world!' Children laugh and copy.
5Teacher rolls to a new child: 'Your turn — choose the body part!' Child: 'CHIN!' Teacher: 'Chin! Everyone — chin!' All touch. Keep the energy joyful.
Teacher TipThe rolling ball keeps children attentive — they're waiting for their turn. Exaggerate your own body part movements to keep energy high.
10
Pass the Ball Count
How to Play
1Children sit in a circle. Teacher gives one child a ball: 'Pass the ball around the circle. Say a number as you pass — ONE, TWO, THREE!'
2Child says 'ONE' and passes. Next says 'TWO', passes. Next says 'THREE'. Teacher: 'Keep going — we are counting together!'
3When you reach 20, Teacher: 'What comes after 20?' Class: 'TWENTY-ONE!' Continue until 30 together as a group effort.
4Teacher: 'Let's try counting in TWOS — like this: TWO, FOUR, SIX!' Children pass and count: 2, 4, 6... Teacher claps along.
5After three rounds, Teacher: 'You counted all the way to 30! Let's try FIVES — FIVE, TEN, FIFTEEN!' Keep it playful and collective.
Teacher TipThe ball keeps the counting pace steady. If a child forgets, Teacher counts loudly for them — it's a group effort, not a test.
11
Obstacle Course Name
How to Play
1Teacher sets up three stations: cones to weave through, a chair to go around, a hoop to step in and out of. Teacher: 'Watch me do it — then it's your turn!'
2Teacher demonstrates slowly: walk around cones, step over chair, jump in and out of hoop. Teacher narrates: 'In the hoop — OUT of the hoop!'
3Child tries the course. At each station, Teacher stops them and holds up a flashcard. Child names it: 'Umbrella!' Teacher: 'Yes! Next station — go!'
4Child completes the course. Teacher shows the final card: 'Last word — say it and you're done!' Child: 'Fish!' Teacher cheers loudly.
5Teacher keeps a running count: 'That's 7 words so far. Can we get to 15 today?' Class cheers the total at the end.
Teacher TipThree stations is enough for younger children. Celebrate the total word count — the class is trying to beat last time.
12
Ladder Hop Name
How to Play
1Teacher lays a PE ladder flat on the floor. Teacher stands at one end: 'Watch — I step in each square, fast!' Teacher demonstrates hopping through the ladder.
2Child steps in, hops out of each square — fast feet, one square at a time. Teacher: 'Eyes on your feet! In-out, in-out, in-out!'
3Child reaches the last square. Teacher immediately shows a flashcard: 'SAY IT!' Child: 'TIGER!' Teacher: 'Great! Now run back — your turn is done!'
4Next child goes. Teacher keeps encouraging: 'You can go faster! Your feet know what to do!' Children cheer for each other.
5After every child has gone once, Teacher: 'Now try to beat YOUR OWN time — go faster than your first run!' Teacher: 'Did you beat it? YES!'
Teacher TipThe goal is beating your own time, not anyone else's. The vocabulary card should appear the moment they reach the last square.
13
Hoop Jump Count
How to Play
1Each child stands next to a hula hoop placed flat on the floor. Teacher: 'Step INTO the hoop, say a word, step OUT — that's one!'
2Child steps in: 'APPLE!' Steps out. Teacher: 'Again! New word — in!' Child: 'MONKEY!' Teacher: 'You remembered MONKEY — great!'
3Child jumps in-out, in-out, naming a new word each time. Teacher counts aloud: 'One, two, THREE — three words!' Class cheers: 'Three words!'
4Teacher: 'Try five words in a row! In, word, out — in, word, out!' Child tries. Teacher claps with every correct naming.
5After two minutes, Teacher: 'Count your words — how many did YOU name?' Children shout their totals. Teacher: 'Everyone tried — that is the real win!'
Teacher TipBalancing requires intense focus. If a child hesitates, give a gentle prompt: 'Start with ANIMAL — what's your favourite animal?'
14
Mat Roll Move
How to Play
1Teacher lays gym mats end to end in two parallel lines. Teacher sits on the first mat: 'Watch me roll like a log — arms by your sides, roll straight!'
2Teacher demonstrates: arms crossed, roll straight from top to bottom. Teacher: 'Like a sushi roll — tight and straight!'
3Child lies on the mat, rolls forward. Teacher watches: 'Arms by your sides — don't reach out!' Child rolls to the end of the mat.
4Child stands up and runs back to tag the next child. Teacher: 'Tag your friend and shout their name!' Next child immediately starts rolling.
5After all children have rolled, Teacher lies on the mat too: 'Let's ALL roll together!' Class rolls one long mat together. Teacher: 'We rolled together — amazing!'
Teacher TipLog rolls on mats are deeply satisfying. Do two or three rounds — the first round children are nervous, the second round they improve dramatically.
15
Whistle Command Game
How to Play
1Teacher shows children the whistle. Teacher blows ONE long blast: 'This means JOG IN PLACE — move your feet!' Children jog. Teacher blows again — children stop.
2Teacher blows TWO short blasts: 'This means FREEZE!' Children freeze. Teacher immediately shows a flashcard. Class says the word together: 'SNAKE!'
3Teacher blows THREE quick blasts: 'This means find a partner and HIGH-FIVE!' Children scatter and find partners, high-five, and shout: 'HIGH FIVE!'
4Teacher cycles through the signals. Each time, Teacher holds up a flashcard and children say the word WHILE doing the action: jog and say, freeze and say.
5Teacher: 'One more time — show me you can listen!' Cycle through all three signals. At the end: 'You listened SO well today!'
Teacher TipThe whistle is powerful — use it sparingly so it stays special. Practise the three signals at the start of class before vocabulary begins.
16
Scarf Float and Catch
How to Play
1Teacher gives each child a lightweight silk scarf. Teacher demonstrates: 'Throw it up — softly! Catch it before it falls!' Children try.
2Teacher: 'While your scarf is in the air, say a word!' Child throws scarf up: 'Tree!' Catches. Teacher: 'Yes — TREES float and fall!'
3Teacher: 'Try TWO throws! Catch, throw, say a word, catch!' Child catches, throws again: 'Bird!' Catches. Teacher: 'You caught it twice!'
4Class stands in a line together. Teacher: 'On three — throw! One, two, THREE!' All scarves go up. All children shout a word and catch.
5Teacher counts: 'How many catches did we make as a class? Count together — one, two, three...' Teacher: 'We are SO good at this!'
Teacher TipScarves float slowly so catching is easier than it looks. The goal is total class catches, not individual scores.
17
Sponge Squeeze Relay
How to Play
1Teacher sets up two buckets at one end — one full of water, one empty. Teacher: 'Soak your sponge, squeeze it into the cup, run back!' Teacher demonstrates.
2Child soaks sponge, squeezes into the cup while running to the empty bucket, squeezes the rest in, runs back. Teacher: 'Great squeeze!'
3Teacher holds up a flashcard at the halfway point. Child stops: 'WATER!' Teacher: 'Yes — water! Now squeeze it in and go!'
4Next child goes. Teacher cheers for EVERY team: 'Team Red — you're doing it! Team Blue — I see you working SO hard!'
5After every child has gone, Teacher: 'Look at our bucket! We filled it!' Both teams cheer. Teacher: 'Both teams filled buckets — everyone wins!'
Teacher TipDo this outdoors or on tile — never on gym floors. Both teams finish with a filled bucket. Celebrate the fill level, not who finished first.
18
Pillow Fight Pass
How to Play
1Children stand in a circle on gym mats, each holding a soft pillow. Teacher: 'We are making a WORD TRAIN today — listen carefully!'
2Teacher gives a flashcard to the first child. Child reads it: 'ORANGE!' Child hits the pillow to the left and taps the child next to them.
3That child catches the pillow, reads their card: 'BANANA!' and passes it on. Teacher: 'Say it clearly! Pass it fast!'
4Teacher speeds up slightly each round. Children name their word faster each time. Teacher: 'Faster now — but still clear!'
5After the circle goes once, Teacher: 'Everyone has had a turn — let's do it AGAIN! What word will YOU say this time?' Celebrate every child.
Teacher TipThe pillow tap is the signal to pass — make it firm so children hear the pass clearly. Celebrating every child at the end builds confidence.
19
Sack Race Hop
How to Play
1Teacher sets up two lanes with a finish line. Teacher holds a sack: 'Step in — hold the sides — and HOP!' Teacher demonstrates hopping in the sack.
2Child steps into the sack, holds it tight, hops to the halfway point. Teacher shows a flashcard: 'What's this?' Child: 'MOUNTAIN!' Teacher: 'Yes! Now HOP back!'
3Child hops back to the start. Teacher: 'You hopped ALL the way — well done!' Next child has a turn.
4After each child, Teacher counts hops together: 'How many hops did it take? Let's try to use fewer hops next time!' Focus on improvement.
5After all races, Teacher: 'Every single person hopped today — that is what matters! Let's all do one big group hop together — on three!'
Teacher TipHopping in sacks is hard and hilarious. Count total hops as a class to shift focus from effort to collective achievement.
20
Pool Noodle Tap
How to Play
1Children stand at a line holding a pool noodle. Teacher places a soft cone ball on each cone. Teacher: 'Walk forward — TAP the ball off its base!'
2Child walks forward, taps the ball off the cone. Teacher immediately holds up a flashcard: 'What's this?' Child: 'Umbrella!' Teacher: 'Beautiful!'
3Child walks back to the line. Next child goes. Teacher: 'Try to tap the ball MORE GENTLY — like a butterfly landing!'
4After everyone has gone, Teacher: 'Now let's do it with our EYES CLOSED!' Children try. Teacher: 'Feel where the ball is!'
5Teacher shows a card. Child: 'Moon!' Teacher: 'You tapped AND you named — wonderful!' Celebrate every child individually.
Teacher TipUse very soft pool noodles and lightweight balls. Gentleness over power — the skill is in the precision, not the force.
21
Tug of War Teams
How to Play
1Divide class into two teams on each end of a soft rope. Teacher marks the centre with tape. Teacher: 'Both teams grab the rope — FEET WIDE!'
2Teacher calls: 'PULL!' Both teams pull. Teacher calls: 'STOP!' Both teams freeze. Teacher: 'Feel the pull — keep your feet wide, lean back!'
3Teacher calls: 'PULL!' Both teams pull. Teacher holds up a flashcard in the middle: 'Say it TOGETHER while you pull!' Class: 'DRAGON!'
4Teacher stops the round. Teacher: 'Both teams pulled SO hard today — you are both champions of effort!' Both teams cheer for each other.
5Teacher plays two or three rounds. Teacher: 'Let's do a REMATCH — same teams, same rope!' Keep it light and fun. No scores, just effort.
Teacher TipSafety is everything — teach STOP before you play. Use a soft rope. Celebrate effort equally from both sides.
22
Star Jump Name
How to Play
1Teacher marks a spot on the floor with tape. One child stands at the spot. Teacher holds up a flashcard: 'Say the word and JUMP!' Child: 'CAT!' and jumps, landing with arms and legs wide like a star.
2Teacher claps loudly: 'AMAZING! Who wants to try next?' Next child steps up. Teacher shows a new card. Child: 'FROG!' and jumps. Teacher: 'Yes! Big jump!'
3Teacher demonstrates a double jump: 'Watch — CAT! CAT!' Teacher jumps twice, landing as a star each time. Children laugh and copy.
4Children take turns one by one — jump and say the word. Teacher claps for EVERY jump. Teacher: 'I am clapping for EVERYONE — you all jumped beautifully!'
5After ten children, Teacher: 'Let's do it TOGETHER — everyone on the line! On three: one, two, THREE — jump and say a word!' Class jumps and names together.
Teacher TipThe star shape is arms and legs wide. Teacher demonstrates your OWN best star jump first — make it big and fun. Clap for every single child.
23
Partner Stretch Move
How to Play
1Children pair up and stand facing their partner. Teacher: 'One partner is the LEADER — you move. One partner is the MIRROR — you copy EXACTLY!'
2Leader raises their arms slowly up to the ceiling. Mirror copies exactly — same speed, same shape. Teacher: 'Leader — arms up! Mirror — match them!'
3Leader touches their nose. Mirror copies exactly. Teacher: 'Perfect! Now Leader — shoulders down! Mirror — copy!' Keep it slow and focused.
4Teacher calls: 'SWAP!' Leaders and mirrors switch roles. New leader moves: 'Like this — hands on head!' New mirror copies. Teacher: 'You are both doing it!'
5Teacher shows a flashcard. Leader makes a body shape that matches the word: 'STAR!' Both partners stretch into a star shape and say: 'STAR!' All pairs try.
Teacher TipThe key is SLOW movement — mirrors need time to react. Speed up gradually. This builds focus and listening skills alongside vocabulary.
24
Tunnel Ball Roll
How to Play
1Each child places a small ball on a plate or lid. Teacher: 'Hold the plate FLAT — walk slowly to the finish line!' Children walk with hands steady under the plate.
2Teacher walks alongside: 'Eyes on your ball! Steady hands! You can do it!' Child focuses hard, watching the ball stay still on the plate.
3Child reaches the finish line. Teacher shows a flashcard: 'SAY IT!' Child: 'GRASS!' Everyone cheers. Teacher: 'You balanced AND you read!'
4Teacher: 'Now — walk BACKWARDS with your ball!' Child tries. Teacher: 'Go SLOWLY! Slow is fast!' Child succeeds. Teacher: 'AMAZING balance!'
5Teacher: 'Hardest mode — walk AND say words!' Child walks, Teacher shows a new card mid-walk. Child: 'Bird!' Teacher: 'You did TWO things at once!'
Teacher TipWalking with a ball on a plate is genuinely difficult. Backwards walking is very hard — if they manage it, make it a big deal.
25
Gym Charades Move
How to Play
1Teacher whispers a word to the first actor: 'Monkey!' Actor acts it out — hops, swings arms as a trunk. Teacher: 'What is the actor doing?' Class: guesses.
2Class calls out guesses. Teacher: 'Keep watching!' Actor keeps acting. Teacher: 'Call it out when you know!' Class: 'MONKEY!'
3Correct guesser becomes the next actor. Teacher whispers: 'You are a TEACHER — write on the board, erase, call the register!' Class guesses: 'TEACHER!'
4If a child is stuck, Teacher gives a clue: 'It starts with... B! It's a food! It's round!' Children love getting clues.
5After five actors, Teacher: 'Everyone gets a turn — line up!' All children act out their word in sequence. Class guesses every one.
Teacher TipActing vocabulary makes it deeply memorable. Choose words that have clear physical actions — animals, jobs, and actions work best.
26
Hoop Passing Circle
How to Play
1Children stand in a circle. Teacher places a hula hoop on one child's arm. Teacher: 'Pass the hoop around — say a word as it goes past you!'
2Child with the hoop says: 'APPLE!' and slides the hoop off their arm to the next child. Next child: 'BANANA!' Teacher: 'Keep going — don't stop!'
3Class counts: 'One, two, three words!' Teacher: 'How fast can we pass the hoop and say a word?' Class tries to go faster.
4If the hoop gets stuck, Teacher helps: 'Pull gently — there!' Child practises the sliding motion. Teacher: 'Gently does it!'
5After the hoop has gone around twice, Teacher: 'Let's see how many words we can say in ONE MINUTE — go!' Class counts the total.
Teacher TipFast-paced circle games keep energy high. The hoop sliding skill itself is worth practising — it takes a few tries to get smooth.
27
Hurdle Hop Flashcard
How to Play
1Teacher sets up low hurdles or cones in a row — just above ankle height. Teacher: 'Hop over each one — one foot, then the other!' Teacher demonstrates.
2Child hops over each hurdle one by one. Teacher watches: 'Eyes on the hurdles — easy steps!' Child reaches the last hurdle.
3Teacher shows a flashcard at the last hurdle. Child names it: 'CLOUD!' Teacher: 'Yes! Now hop BACK over the hurdles — you're done!'
4Next child goes. Teacher cheers: 'You can do it — I believe in you!' Children clap for each other as they watch.
5After all children have gone, Teacher: 'Let's try hopping FASTER this time — same hurdles, same card!' Children try to beat their own time.
Teacher TipKeep hurdles very low — the goal is the hopping, not clearing dramatically. Focus on rhythm: hop-hop-hop-SAY IT.
28
Cone Balance Beam
How to Play
1Teacher sets up a row of cones on their side as a balance beam. Teacher demonstrates: 'Heel to toe, slow steps — like a tightrope walker!' Teacher walks it.
2Child steps onto the first cone, places one foot in front of the other. Teacher: 'Arms out — like wings!' Child walks slowly along the cone line.
3Child reaches the end. Teacher shows a flashcard: 'Before you step off — say it!' Child: 'Rainbow!' Teacher: 'You walked AND you read!'
4If they step off, Teacher encourages: 'Start again — you can do it!' Child tries again. Teacher: 'This time, go even SLOWER!'
5After three crossings, Teacher: 'Let's walk it WITH A BEANBAG on your head — can you balance AND walk?' Child tries. Teacher: 'Amazing!'
Teacher TipBalance beams are excellent for focus and concentration. Walking it twice in a row is better than one fast pass — depth beats speed.
29
Balance Ball Walk
How to Play
1Children walk from one end of the gym to the other carrying a ball on a board. Teacher demonstrates: 'Two hands on the board — flat, flat!'
2Teacher walks slowly: 'Look at your ball — it tells you if you're tilting. Lean the other way!' Children try walking slowly with intense focus.
3Teacher: 'Say a word as you walk — can you do both?' Child walks and says: 'Moon!' Teacher: 'Yes! Keep walking — say another!'
4If the ball falls, Teacher picks it up: 'No problem! Start again — this time go SLOWER!' Child tries again. Teacher cheers every retry.
5Class tries to beat its collective best: 'We walked 12 steps last time — can we get to 20 today?' Class counts together as each child walks.
Teacher TipBall-on-board balancing is harder than it looks. Celebrate every attempt. The whole class trying to beat its collective best builds teamwork.
30
Jump the River
How to Play
1Teacher lays two long strips of tape on the floor as 'river banks' with a wide gap between. Teacher: 'Look — there's a river! How do we cross?'
2Children suggest jumping. Teacher: 'Yes — let's jump! But the river is wide — what if we had stones?' Teacher places small spots inside the river gap.
3'These are your STONES — jump from stone to stone!' Children jump the spots one by one. Teacher: 'Feel the river — don't fall in!'
4Teacher shows a flashcard at the far side. Child jumps across the river, lands safely, says the word: 'BRIDGE!' Everyone cheers: 'You crossed!'
5Everyone crosses, one by one. Teacher cheers every single crossing. Teacher: 'You ALL crossed the river today — that is what matters!'
Teacher TipMake the river wide enough to be a challenge but narrow enough that every child can clear it. Celebrate the crossing, not the speed.
31
Ball Bounce Count
How to Play
1Each child bounces a ball gently while standing still. Teacher: 'Bounce... bounce... bounce... feel the rhythm!' Children bounce steadily.
2Teacher shows a flashcard: child bounces and says the word, then catches. Teacher: 'Bounce and say it!' Child: 'APPLE!' Teacher: 'Yes — bounce, say, catch!'
3Teacher demonstrates the hard version: bounce, say word, bounce, say word, catch. Teacher: 'Watch — it goes: BOUNCE, APPLE, BOUNCE, ELEPHANT, CATCH!'
4Teacher counts bounces out loud with the child: 'One, two, three — APPLE!' Child bounces three times, says the word, catches. Teacher: 'Beautiful counting!'
5Try bouncing and counting to 10. Teacher claps for every child's attempt. Teacher: 'Count together — how many bounces can we do AND say words?'
Teacher TipBouncing and counting together is pure joy for this age. Do multiple rounds — the goal is total class bounces, not individual scores.
32
Colour Spot Sprint
How to Play
1Teacher scatters coloured spots around the gym floor. Teacher: 'Find a spot! Everyone standing on a spot when I call!'
2Teacher calls a colour: 'RED!' Children sprint to stand on a red spot. Teacher: 'What colour?' Children on red: 'RED!' Class cheers them.
3If a spot is taken, Teacher: 'Find another red spot! Say the colour while you move!' Child runs: 'Red, red, red!'
4Teacher changes calls quickly: 'BLUE! GREEN! YELLOW!' Children move and name. Teacher: 'Say the colour as you run!'
5Teacher calls all colours in random order. Teacher: 'You moved and you named — every time! Let's do five more rounds!'
Teacher TipMore spots than children means everyone always has somewhere to go. Saying the colour while moving doubles the learning.
33
Flashcard Basketball
How to Play
1Teacher sets up a bin three metres away. Child stands behind the line holding a ball. Teacher: 'Bounce, say the word, then SHOOT!'
2Child bounces: 'Umbrella!' Shoots. Teacher: 'Yes — you said the word! Try again!' If it goes in: 'IN THE BASKET!'
3After three attempts, Teacher shows a new card. Child: 'Moon!' Bounces, shoots. Teacher: 'Every shot counts — keep going!'
4After all children have had three attempts, Teacher counts: 'How many baskets did we score as a class? Let's beat that next time!'
5Teacher: 'You aimed and you named — all of you!'
Teacher TipLower the basket or use a larger target to keep scoring achievable. The vocabulary is the main event.
34
Parachute Wave Name
How to Play
1Children hold parachute edges and lift it up. Teacher: 'Lift — up, up, UP!' Teacher: 'Feel the air!'
2Teacher shows a flashcard. Class says the word together: 'TREE!' Teacher: 'Again — LOUDER!' Class: 'TREE!'
3Teacher: 'Wave the parachute — up and down! Say the word every time it goes UP!' Class: 'TREE! TREE! TREE!'
4Teacher shows new cards. Class says them together as the parachute rises. Teacher: 'Louder when it peaks!'
5After five words, Teacher: 'Big wave — everyone together!' Children wave and chant. Teacher: 'You are a WAVE TEAM!'
Teacher TipVocabulary combined with physical teamwork — double the learning. The louder they say it, the higher the parachute goes.
35
Beanbag Target Toss
How to Play
1Teacher sets up three buckets at easy, medium, far distances. Child stands at the easy bucket. Teacher: 'Say the word — then toss!'
2Child says: 'Ball!' Tosses. If it goes in, Teacher cheers: 'IN! Beautiful aim!' If it misses: 'Almost — try again!'
3Child tries the medium bucket. Child says: 'Cat!' Tosses. Teacher: 'You aimed and you named!'
4After three turns each, Teacher: 'How many did we get in? Let's count!' Class totals the hits. Teacher: 'We aimed and we read — well done!'
5Teacher celebrates every child: 'You tried every distance — that is real courage!'
Teacher TipUse soft beanbags. The goal is trying every distance, not scoring.
36
Simon Says Move
How to Play
1Teacher: 'Simon says TOUCH YOUR KNEES!' Children touch. Teacher: 'If I say Simon says — DO IT! If not — DON'T!'
2Teacher: 'Simon says TOUCH YOUR HEAD!' Children touch. Teacher shows a flashcard. Class: 'BIRD!' Teacher: 'You touched AND you named!'
3Teacher: 'Simon says STRETCH YOUR ARMS!' Children stretch. Teacher shows a card. Class: 'TREE!' Teacher: 'Louder!'
4Teacher says just 'TOUCH YOUR NOSE!' — no Simon says. Children who move do three jumps. Teacher: 'You waited — well done!'
5Teacher: 'Five rounds — listen carefully!' Celebrate every child who listens correctly.
Teacher TipThree body parts per round is plenty. Keep the pace fast — slow pauses cause children to forget the rule.
37
Running Race Flashcard
How to Play
1Teacher sets up a simple course with flashcards at the end. Teacher: 'Run to the card, say the word, run back!'
2First child runs. Teacher shows card. Child: 'Cat!' runs back. Teacher: 'You ran and you read!'
3Teacher to each team: 'We are NOT racing the other team — we are ALL winning!' Class: 'All winning!'
4After every child has gone, Teacher counts: 'How many words did our team name?' Class counts. Teacher: 'Every word counts!'
5Every child earns a high five. Teacher: 'You ran and you read — brilliant!'
Teacher TipThe running is the reward. Emphasise collective word count over individual speed.
38
Ballet Freeze
How to Play
1Play soft music. Teacher: 'Dance with beautiful ballet moves — arms up, tiptoe!' Children dance gracefully.
2Teacher stops the music: 'FREEZE!' Children freeze in a beautiful pose. Teacher holds up a flashcard. Class: 'SWAN!'
3Music plays again. Teacher: 'Tiptoe, arms up — beautiful!' Children dance. Teacher calls: 'SPIN!' Children spin once and freeze.
4Teacher holds up another card. Class: 'MOON!' Teacher: 'Graceful freezes and beautiful words!'
5After five rounds, Teacher: 'You are all ballet dancers AND word masters! Let's bow!' All children bow. Teacher: 'Bravo!'
Teacher TipBallet vocabulary adds elegance. Celebrate grace, not perfection.
39
Tug of War Vocabulary
How to Play
1Divide into two teams with a rope. Teacher calls PULL — both teams pull. Teacher calls STOP — both teams freeze.
2Teacher calls PULL and holds up a flashcard: 'Say it TOGETHER while you pull!' Class: 'DRAGON!'
3Teacher plays three rounds. Each round shows a card and class names it while pulling. Teacher: 'Pull AND say the word!'
4After three rounds, Teacher: 'Both teams pulled SO hard. Let's play one more round — no scores, just effort!'
5Both teams hold the rope together. Teacher: 'Can we all pull TOGETHER — no competition?' Both teams cheer.
Teacher TipVocabulary while pulling is incidental. No scores means no one feels they lost.
40
Hot Seat Move
How to Play
1One child sits in the hot seat with back to the board. Teacher draws a vocabulary picture. Teacher: 'Don't look!'
2Class makes sounds to guide the seated child. Teacher: 'Loud = RIGHT, quiet = LEFT, very loud = FAST!'
3Class makes guiding sounds. Child moves toward the board: 'OOOH! EEH! OOOOH!' Child moves right, left, fast.
4Child reaches the board and points to guess. Class: 'HIPPO!' Teacher: 'YES!'
5New child in the hot seat. Teacher draws a new picture. Class guides again. Teacher: 'You are an amazing guiding team!'
Teacher TipNon-verbal communication is a genuine cognitive challenge. Give obvious starting sounds so the seated child succeeds quickly.
41
Four Corners Move
How to Play
1Teacher labels four corners: UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT. Teacher: 'When I call a direction — MOVE there and SHOUT it!'
2Teacher calls: 'UP!' All children point up and shout: 'UP!' Teacher: 'Louder!' Children: 'UP!'
3Teacher calls: 'LEFT!' All point left and shout. Teacher shows a flashcard. Children in the LEFT corner say the word together.
4Teacher mixes calls quickly: 'DOWN! RIGHT! UP!' Children move quickly. Teacher: 'No one is OUT — everyone moves every time!'
5Teacher: 'Ten rounds — every round, all children move!' No scores, no one eliminated.
Teacher TipNo one is out. Everyone moves every round. The speed of calling keeps energy high.
42
Ball Roll Aim
How to Play
1Teacher sets up three bins at different distances. Child stands at the line. Teacher: 'Roll the ball — say the word first!'
2Child says: 'Umbrella!' Rolls the ball. Teacher: 'Yes — you said the word! Now try to get it in!'
3Child tries three times. Teacher counts successes. Teacher: 'Try the MIDDLE bin — that's harder!'
4After all children have gone, Teacher: 'How many bins did we hit as a class? Let's count!' Class counts. Teacher: 'We aimed and we read!'
5Teacher celebrates every attempt: 'Every try counts!'
Teacher TipRolling is easier than throwing at this age. Celebrate every attempt.
43
Alphabet Action Walk
How to Play
1Teacher places alphabet letters in a path: A, B, C, D. Teacher: 'Step on A — say A! Now step on B — say B!'
2Child steps A, B, C, D. At each letter, Teacher holds up a flashcard. Child names it. Teacher: 'Yes! Next letter!'
3Child continues E, F, G. Teacher: 'Say the ALPHABET while you step!' Child: 'A! B! C!'
4After all children, Teacher: 'We walked the whole alphabet! Let's chant it together — step by step!' Class walks and chants A to Z.
5Teacher: 'You walked and you read — the alphabet is in your feet now!'
Teacher TipConnect each letter to a vocabulary word they already know. The physical stepping makes letter order memorable.
44
Team Building Tower
How to Play
1Give each team 10 paper cups. Teacher: 'We are BUILDERS today! One cup at a time — run, place, run back!'
2First child runs, places one cup, runs back. Teacher: 'Yes! One cup in the tower!' Next child runs.
3Team builds the tower cup by cup. Teacher: 'Say a word every time you place a cup!' Child: 'APPLE!' Teacher: 'Beautiful!'
4If the tower falls, Teacher: 'Oops! Build it again!' Teacher: 'Building takes teamwork!'
5After all cups placed, Teacher: 'Look at our tower — we built it TOGETHER!' Class cheers. Teacher: 'All towers are beautiful!'
Teacher TipBuilding together is as important as vocabulary. Celebrate the tower, not who placed the most cups.
45
Flashcard Golf
How to Play
1Teacher sets up small hoops on the floor as holes. Children use a soft ball. Teacher: 'This is mini golf — roll it GENTLY!'
2Child rolls the ball toward a hoop. Teacher: 'Gently — like pushing an egg!'
3When the ball stops, Teacher shows a flashcard nearby. Child names the word: 'Tree!' Teacher: 'You rolled AND you read!'
4If the ball goes IN the hoop, Teacher celebrates: 'HOLE IN ONE!' Child says the word.
5Everyone has three turns. Teacher celebrates every roll. Teacher: 'You putted and you read — every single one of you!'
Teacher TipUse soft balls. The golf metaphor makes aiming feel meaningful.
46
Partner Run and Name
How to Play
1Partners stand at the start line together. Teacher: 'Hold hands with your partner — run TOGETHER to the wall and back!'
2Partners run together. Teacher: 'Say the word when you touch the wall!' Partners: 'ELEPHANT!' Teacher: 'Together!'
3Next pair goes. Teacher: 'Partners — are you running together? Hold hands! Say it TOGETHER!'
4After each pair goes, Teacher: 'High five your partner — you ran together!' Both partners celebrate each other.
5After all pairs, Teacher: 'Everyone ran with a partner today. That's teamwork!'
Teacher TipPartner running builds teamwork alongside vocabulary. Both partners must run — no one sits out.
47
Ball Bounce and Name
How to Play
1Child bounces a ball continuously while walking across the gym. Teacher: 'Keep bouncing — don't stop! Eyes on your ball!'
2Teacher holds up a flashcard. Child names the word while bouncing: 'CAT!' Teacher: 'Yes! Keep bouncing!'
3Teacher: 'Bounce, say word, bounce, say word, bounce, say word — then catch!' Teacher demonstrates first.
4If the ball drops, Teacher: 'Start again — you can do it!' Class cheers every retry.
5Teacher counts how many words were named during one bounce journey. Teacher: 'You bounced and you read — brilliant!'
Teacher TipBall bouncing while naming doubles the cognitive challenge. Celebrate every word named, not how many catches were made.
48
Animal Relay Race
How to Play
1Divide into teams. Teacher whispers an animal to the first child. Child mimes the animal and runs back. Next child guesses.
2Next child mimes a new animal. Next child guesses. Teacher: 'Act BIG — we want everyone to guess!'
3Teacher plays through all animals. After each round, Teacher: 'Your team communicated so well — you all guessed!'
4After all teams finish, Teacher: 'All teams are winners today — you all acted and guessed brilliantly!'
5After all teams finish, Teacher: 'All teams are winners today — you all acted and guessed brilliantly!'
Teacher TipAnimal miming is excellent vocabulary practice. Let children choose animals they know well.
49
Back to the Board Guess
How to Play
1One child sits with back to the board. Teacher draws a vocabulary picture behind them. Teacher: 'Don't look!'
2Class makes sounds to guide. Teacher: 'Loud = RIGHT. Quiet = LEFT. Very loud = FAST!'
3Class guides. Child moves toward the board: 'OOOH! EEH!' Child moves right, left, fast.
4Child reaches the board and points to guess. Class: 'HIPPO!' Teacher: 'YES!'
5New child in the hot seat. Teacher draws a new picture. Class guides again. Teacher: 'Amazing guiding team!'
Teacher TipGuiding someone non-verbally builds teamwork. Give obvious starting sounds so the seated child succeeds quickly.
50
Cone Zigzag Sprint
How to Play
1Teacher sets up cones in a zigzag. Teacher: 'Sprint through the cones — touch each one! Say the word at the last cone!'
2Child sprints through cones. Teacher shows a flashcard. Child: 'Moon!' Teacher: 'Yes! Now sprint BACK!'
3Next child goes. Teacher cheers: 'Your turn — you can do it!' Class cheers for each child.
4After all children, Teacher: 'Let's try to beat our team time! Sprint through, name the word — go!' Teacher celebrates improvement.
5Teacher: 'Every child sprinted and read — we are all champions of effort!'
Teacher TipFocus on personal best time, not being the fastest in the class.
51
Scarf Dance Move
How to Play
1Teacher gives each child two coloured scarves. Play gentle music. Teacher: 'Wave your scarves in the air — feel the music!'
2When music stops, Teacher shows a flashcard. Children say the word AND show the colour of their scarf: 'BLUE — I have blue!'
3Music plays again. Children wave scarves higher. Teacher: 'Wave with your whole arm — feel the air!'
4Music stops again. New card. Child: 'GREEN — green scarf!' Teacher: 'You said the word AND showed your colour!'
5After five rounds, Teacher: 'Dance with your scarves — no stopping today! The music never really stops — we keep moving!'
Teacher TipThe colour + word combination doubles the learning.
52
Tumble and Name
How to Play
1Teacher sets up gym mats. Teacher lies on a mat: 'Watch me roll like a LOG — arms by your sides, roll straight!'
2Child lies on the mat, rolls forward. Teacher: 'Arms by your sides!' Child rolls to the end of the mat.
3Child stands up and runs to the finish line. Teacher: 'You rolled AND you ran!' Next child has a turn.
4After all children have rolled, Teacher: 'Let's roll TOGETHER on one big mat!' Class rolls together.
5Teacher celebrates every child's effort equally. Teacher: 'All rollers today — you are brilliant!'
Teacher TipLog rolling is deeply satisfying and excellent for core strength.
53
Flashcard Wave
How to Play
1Children stand in two lines facing the board with flashcards stuck on it. Teacher: 'When I point — RUN to the card and SLAP it!'
2Teacher points to a card. First child from each line races to slap it. Teacher: 'Wait — I have to show the card first!' Shows card. Class: 'BIRD!'
3Both children slap the correct card. Teacher: 'Both slapped — now say it!' Class: 'BIRD!' Teacher: 'Both teams said it — brilliant!'
4Next pair goes. Teacher shows a card. Children race, slap, and say: 'TREE!' Class cheers.
5Teacher plays until all children have gone. Teacher: 'Every child slapped and said a word — we are ALL winning today!'
Teacher TipSlapping the card is irresistible. All children go, all children name words.
54
Balloon Pop Name
How to Play
1Teacher hangs or holds balloons in the air. Teacher: 'Jump up and POP your balloon — say the word INSIDE first!'
2Child jumps: 'APPLE!' POP! Teacher: 'You said APPLE and you popped it!' Class cheers.
3Child gets a new balloon and tries again. Teacher: 'Say the word — then JUMP!' POP! Teacher celebrates the effort.
4After all children have popped, Teacher: 'We popped so many balloons! How many words did we say?' Class counts. Teacher: 'Amazing!'
5Teacher: 'Every balloon had a word inside — every word got POPPED!'
Teacher TipAdult must manage balloon safety. Count total pops as a class to build collective achievement.
55
Hoop Jump In Out
How to Play
1Teacher places three hoops on the floor. Teacher: 'IN means stand INSIDE! OUT means stand OUTSIDE! ON means one foot IN, one OUT!'
2Teacher calls 'IN!' All children jump into hoops. Teacher: 'What are we doing?' Children: 'IN!' Teacher: 'Yes!'
3Teacher calls 'OUT!' All children jump out. Teacher: 'OUT! Now show me ON!'
4Teacher calls a sequence quickly: 'IN! ON! OUT! IN!' Children respond immediately. Teacher: 'Fast feet and fast listening!'
5Teacher holds up a flashcard at each call. Children say the word while jumping. Teacher: 'You moved AND you named — brilliant!'
Teacher TipIn, on, out — prepositions learned through doing.
56
Team Flag Race
How to Play
1Each team has a flag at the far end. Teacher: 'Run to your flag, touch it, run back! Your team cheers when you return!'
2First child from each team runs, touches the flag, runs back. Teacher: 'You touched the flag!' Team cheers: 'YAY!'
3Next child goes. Teacher shows a flashcard on return: 'Say it before your next run!' Child: 'Tree!' Teacher: 'Yes — go!'
4All children run one by one. Teacher: 'Every runner touched the flag — all teams did it!'
5After all children have run, Teacher: 'Everyone ran today — high tens!' All children give each other high tens.
Teacher TipWaving the flag is the celebration. Every runner earns the team cheer.
57
Mirror Move Game
How to Play
1Partners face each other. Teacher: 'One partner is the LEADER — you choose a move. One is the MIRROR — you copy!'
2Leader makes a slow movement: touches their head. Mirror copies exactly. Teacher: 'Leader — shoulders! Mirror — match!'
3Teacher shows a flashcard. Both partners do the SAME action for that word. Word: 'STAR!' Both stretch: 'STAR!'
4Teacher calls: 'SWAP!' Both partners switch roles. New leader moves. Teacher: 'Perfect mirroring!'
5Teacher: 'You mirrored so well — that takes real focus!'
Teacher TipMirroring builds observation skills and physical coordination. Slow movements first.
58
Sound It Out Jump
How to Play
1Teacher sounds out a word slowly: '/c/ /a/ /t/' Children blend: 'CAT!' Teacher: 'What did we say?' Class: 'CAT!'
2Teacher: 'Now — jump that many times! How many sounds?' Children: '/c/ /a/ /t/ — THREE!' Teacher: 'JUMP THREE TIMES!'
3Teacher sounds out more words. Children jump the number of sounds. Teacher: 'Your body is learning sounds!'
4The whole class jumps together for every word. Teacher: 'All together — /b/ /i/ /g/ — say it!' Class: 'BIG!' Teacher: 'JUMP!'
5Teacher: 'You jumped and you blended — your body learned sounds!'
Teacher TipBlending sounds and jumping burns energy while building phonemic awareness.
59
Red Light Green Light
How to Play
1Teacher draws a finish line. Teacher: 'GREEN LIGHT — MOVE! RED LIGHT — FREEZE!'
2Teacher holds up a green card: 'GREEN LIGHT — GO!' Children move. Teacher shows a flashcard. Children say the word while moving.
3Teacher shows a yellow card: 'YELLOW LIGHT — SLOW DOWN!' Children slow. Teacher shows a card. Children: 'BIRD!'
4Teacher shows a red card: 'RED LIGHT — FREEZE!' Children freeze. Teacher shows a card. Children: 'TREE!' while frozen.
5First child to reach the finish line: Teacher: 'You crossed! Everyone — cheer!' Class: 'YAY!'
Teacher TipRed light green light builds self-control.
60
Memory Match Move
How to Play
1Teacher places 10 flashcards face-down in two rows. Two children come to the board. Teacher: 'Turn over TWO cards — if they match, name the word!'
2First child turns over a card: 'DOG!' Second child turns over another: 'CAT!' Teacher: 'Not a match — turn them back!'
3Children turn cards again. Turns over 'DOG' and 'DOG' picture. Teacher: 'MATCH! Say it TOGETHER!' Both: 'DOG!'
4Children continue. Class watches and helps: 'Try that one!' Teacher: 'Remember what you saw!'
5After all cards are matched, Teacher: 'You remembered so much — that is brilliant memory!'
Teacher TipMemory match combined with movement doubles the memory effect.
61
March and Name
How to Play
1Teacher gives half the children a picture card, half a word card. Teacher: 'Find your partner — the picture card matches the word card!'
2On 'GO!' children walk around the room matching: picture card finds their word card. Teacher: 'Walk! Find your match!'
3When matched, pair stands together and says the word: 'DOG!' Teacher cheers: 'You found each other! Say it LOUD!' Pair: 'DOG!'
4Mix up and do it again with new cards. Teacher calls: 'WALK!' and children move. Teacher calls: 'STOP!' and children freeze.
5All pairs hold up their matched cards together. Teacher: 'Show me DOG!' Everyone: 'DOG!' Teacher: 'Show me CAT!' Everyone: 'CAT!' High energy throughout.
Teacher TipMatching physical cards to word cards makes vocabulary tangible. Do three rounds with different card sets — children love finding new partners each time.
62
Beanbag Balance Head
How to Play
1Each child places a beanbag on their head. Teacher: 'Walk slowly — arms out! If it falls, pick it up and start again!'
2Child walks across the gym. Teacher walks alongside: 'Eyes forward — feel the beanbag!'
3Child reaches the finish. Teacher shows a flashcard: 'Before you take the beanbag down — say the word!' Child: 'Moon!'
4Child walks back. Teacher: 'Try walking BACKWARDS this time!' Child tries. Teacher: 'Slowly — you can do it!'
5After all children, Teacher: 'Every person tried — that is what matters!'
Teacher TipCelebrate the attempt, not how many steps were taken.
63
Splash and Name
How to Play
1Teacher sets up a water tray with plastic animals. Teacher: 'Splash your hand — say a word!'
2Child splashes: 'Fish!' Teacher: 'Yes — the fish is swimming!' Child splashes again: 'Water!'
3Class counts the total words named at the water tray. Teacher: 'We named all these words today — count with me!'
4Teacher celebrates every child's contribution. Teacher: 'We splashed and we learned — well done, water scientists!'
5Teacher: 'Next time we'll splash and name even more words!'
Teacher TipWater play is calming. Let each child name words at their own pace.
64
Obstacle Course Pass
How to Play
1Teacher builds an obstacle course: crawl under a table, hop over a rope, walk a line. Teacher: 'Watch me go — then you try!'
2Teacher demonstrates the course slowly. Child tries: crawls, hops, walks the line.
3At each station, Teacher holds up a flashcard. Child names it. Teacher: 'Yes! Next station!'
4Child completes the course. Teacher cheers: 'You did the WHOLE course!' Next child tries.
5After all children complete the course, Teacher: 'Every single person finished — you are all OBSTACLE CHAMPIONS!'
Teacher TipCelebrate completion, not speed.
65
Throw and Name
How to Play
1Teacher sets up a target with a soft ball. Child stands behind a line. Teacher: 'Say the word — then THROW!'
2Child says: 'Cat!' Throws. Teacher: 'Yes — you said the word first!' If it hits: 'IN THE TARGET!'
3Child tries again. Teacher: 'Aim at the MIDDLE — that's the bullseye!' Child names and throws.
4After three throws each, Teacher: 'How many times did you hit? Count together!' Class counts.
5Teacher celebrates every throw. Teacher: 'You threw and you named — every single time!'
Teacher TipEvery throw is celebrated, whether it hits or misses.
66
Simon Says Story
How to Play
1Teacher starts a story. Teacher: 'And then SIMON SAYS — jump like a frog!' Children jump. Teacher shows a flashcard. Class: 'BUNNY!'
2Teacher: 'And then SIMON SAYS — run like a tiger!' Children run. Teacher: 'Did I say Simon says?' Children: 'NO!' Teacher: 'So you...?' Children: 'FREEZE!'
3Teacher continues the story with action words. Children do actions only when preceded by Simon says.
4After the story, Teacher: 'You listened so carefully — you know when to move and when to wait!' Class cheers.
5Teacher: 'We made a story with our bodies — that is incredible acting!'
Teacher TipStories with action words make vocabulary come alive.
67
Circle Jump Over
How to Play
1Children stand in a circle. One child rolls a soft ball gently toward the centre.
2As the ball rolls toward each child, they jump over it and shout a vocabulary word. Child: 'CAT!' Jumps.
3Next child jumps and names: 'DOG!' Teacher: 'Say it as you jump!'
4Teacher speeds up the rolling. Children jump faster. Teacher: 'FASTER feet! Louder words!'
5After the ball goes around, Teacher: 'We jumped and we named — how many words? Count together!'
Teacher TipJumping over a rolling ball is exciting. Start slow and speed up gradually.
68
Ball Bounce Zigzag
How to Play
1Teacher sets up cones in a zigzag. Child bounces a ball continuously while navigating through the cones. Teacher: 'Bounce and weave!'
2Child bounces through cones. At each cone, Teacher shows a flashcard. Child: 'Tree!' Teacher: 'Keep bouncing!'
3Child reaches the end. Teacher: 'Turn around — bounce back!'
4After all children have gone, Teacher: 'We bounced and we zigzagged — our class is amazing!' Class counts total words.
5Teacher celebrates every attempt. Teacher: 'You bounced and you named — that is brilliant!'
Teacher TipLet children find their own pace — speed is not the goal.
69
Team Sorting Race
How to Play
1Teacher scatters mixed coloured objects on a table. Teacher: 'When I call a colour — bring me ALL objects of that colour!'
2Teacher calls: 'RED!' Teams collect red objects. Teacher: 'How many red things? Count together!' Class: 'One, two, three!'
3Teacher calls: 'BLUE!' Teams collect blue objects. Teacher: 'Say BLUE as you bring them!' Class: 'BLUE! BLUE! BLUE!'
4After three rounds, Teacher: 'Look at our collection — we found things of every colour! All teams worked hard!'
5Teacher celebrates: 'Every team found every colour — that is true teamwork!'
Teacher TipNo team wins — all teams collect all colours over time.
70
Partner Jump Count
How to Play
1Partners stand side by side. Teacher: 'Jump TOGETHER — count as you jump!'
2Partners jump together: 'ONE, TWO, THREE!' Teacher: 'Did you jump at the SAME time? Try again!'
3Teacher calls a number: 'FOUR!' Partners jump four times together. Teacher: 'You matched each other!'
4Partners switch roles and try again. Teacher celebrates every pair: 'You jumped together — that is teamwork!'
5Teacher: 'Every pair jumped in sync — you are amazing partners!'
Teacher TipJumping together builds leg strength and timing.
71
Flashcard Swat
How to Play
1Teacher sticks flashcards on walls around the gym. Teacher: 'When I call a word — RUN and SWAT it with your hand!'
2Teacher calls: 'CAT!' Children race to swat the correct card. Child swats the right card. Teacher: 'YES!'
3If a child swats the wrong card, Teacher: 'Try again — look for the word!' Child tries again.
4Teacher calls more words. Children swat and say: 'DOG!' 'BIRD!' Class cheers each correct swat.
5Teacher plays until all cards have been swatted. Teacher: 'You found every word — you are swatting champions!'
Teacher TipNo touching others. All children swat all cards — no scores kept.
72
Cup Stack Sprint
How to Play
1Give each team 10 paper cups. Teacher: 'We are BUILDERS! First child runs and stacks cups, next child knocks them down!'
2First child runs and builds a tower. Next child runs and knocks it down. Teacher: 'Build and KNOCK!'
3Teacher: 'After every child has gone — count how tall your tower was!' Class counts.
4After all children have gone, Teacher: 'Both teams built AND knocked down — that is the whole game!' Class celebrates.
5Teacher: 'Every child built and every child knocked down — we are building teams!'
Teacher TipBuilding and knocking down is always satisfying. Celebrate both the building and the knocking.
73
Animal Walk Stop
How to Play
1Children walk around the gym as different animals. Teacher calls an animal: 'Be a MONKEY!' Children swing their arms and hop.
2Teacher calls: 'Be a FISH!' Children swim with their arms. Teacher: 'Swimming fish — beautiful!'
3Teacher calls 'STOP!' All children freeze completely. Teacher holds up a flashcard. Children who are frozen say the word together.
4Teacher calls new animals: 'Be a BIRD!' Children flap wings. Teacher: 'Now STOP!' Flashcard appears.
5After several rounds, Teacher: 'You were monkeys, fish, AND birds today! You are animal experts!'
Teacher TipAnimal walks burn energy and build vocabulary simultaneously.
74
Rhythm Clap Name
How to Play
1Teacher claps a rhythm — clap hands twice. Children echo it back. Teacher: 'Your turn!'
2Teacher adds a word to the rhythm and claps: clap-clap 'APPLE' clap-clap. Children echo it back.
3Teacher increases the speed each round. Teacher: 'Can you go faster?' Children try.
4Teacher: 'Say the word FIRST, then clap its rhythm!' Child: 'TIGER — clap-clap-clap!' Teacher: 'Beautiful rhythm!'
5After several rounds, Teacher: 'You made music AND learned words — you are rhythm masters!'
Teacher TipRhythm activities build pattern recognition and memory.
75
Touch the Flashcard
How to Play
1Teacher sticks flashcards on walls, floor, and furniture. Teacher: 'When I call a word — RUN and TOUCH that card!'
2Teacher calls: 'CAT!' Children sprint to touch the card. Child touches the correct card. Teacher: 'YES — you found it!'
3If a child touches the wrong card, Teacher: 'Look again! Is that CAT? No — try another!' Child runs to the correct one.
4After all children have touched five cards each, Teacher: 'You sprinted and you named — every single card!' Class celebrates.
5Teacher: 'Every child ran and touched every word — we are all word hunters!'
Teacher TipPhysical touch combined with naming makes the word stick.
76
Crab Walk Name
How to Play
1Children put hands on the floor and feet up — like crabs. Teacher: 'Walk sideways like a crab — feel your strength!'
2Children crab-walk across the gym. Teacher: 'Arms straight! Feel the floor!' Teacher demonstrates.
3Teacher shows a flashcard while children crab-walk. Children say the word while walking: 'CRAB!' Teacher: 'Yes!'
4Teacher: 'Crab-walk to the finish line and say the word!' Child crab-walks and: 'SIDEWAYS!' Teacher: 'Amazing strength!'
5After all children have crab-walked, Teacher: 'You are CRAB MASTERS — you walked AND you read!'
Teacher TipCrab walking builds upper body strength and is always hilarious.
77
Flashcard Shadowing
How to Play
1Teacher holds up a flashcard and does an action. Teacher: 'I do the action — you COPY and SAY the word!'
2Teacher holds up 'JUMP' card and jumps. Children copy and say: 'JUMP!' Teacher: 'Yes — now you do it!'
3Teacher increases the speed each round. Teacher: 'Fast!' Children copy quickly. Teacher: 'Slower — feel the word!'
4Teacher shows new cards. Children copy the action and say the word. Teacher: 'Every child copy — no one is out!'
5Teacher: 'You shadowed me perfectly — you are great listeners!'
Teacher TipShadowing builds listening skills and physical memory together.
78
Skipping Rope Name
How to Play
1Give each child a short skipping rope. Teacher: 'Skip with the rope — count how many skips you can do!'
2Child skips. Teacher: 'Say a word every five skips!' Child: 'APPLE! one, two, three, four, five, BIRD!...'
3If the rope stops, Teacher: 'Name a word and keep going!' Child: 'Cat! ...six, seven, eight...'
4After all children have tried, Teacher: 'How many skips? Let's add it up!' Teacher: 'We skipped and we read — amazing!'
5After all children have tried, Teacher: 'How many skips? Let's add it up!' Teacher: 'We skipped and we read — amazing!'
Teacher TipSkipping while naming is a triple cognitive challenge.
79
Balance Board Spin
How to Play
1Children stand on a balance board or low beam. Teacher: 'Stand on one leg — hold it as long as you can!'
2Child balances. Teacher shows a flashcard. Child names it while balancing: 'Cloud!' Teacher: 'Yes — keep balancing!'
3If they step off, Teacher: 'Start again — try the other leg!' Child tries again.
4Teacher: 'Can you SPIN 360 degrees while balancing?' Child tries. Teacher: 'Amazing balance!'
5Teacher celebrates every attempt. Teacher: 'You balanced and you named — well done!'
Teacher TipBalance and spin challenges deepen focus dramatically.
80
Puppet Walk Name
How to Play
1Give each child a soft toy or puppet. Teacher: 'You ARE your puppet — walk like your puppet!'
2Children walk like their puppets. Teacher: 'Feel the character!'
3Teacher calls: 'STOP!' All puppets freeze. Teacher shows a card. Children name in puppet voice: 'MOO!'
4Children continue puppet-walking. Teacher calls: 'TURN AROUND!' Puppets turn. Teacher: 'You are brilliant actors AND readers!'
5Teacher celebrates every child. Teacher: 'Every puppet came to life today!'
Teacher TipPuppets bring joy and reduce self-consciousness in naming.
81
Shuttle Run Shout
How to Play
1Teacher sets up a shuttle run course with a cone at each end. Teacher: 'Run to cone one, say a word, run to cone two, say another word, run back!'
2First child runs, names at cone one, names at cone two, runs back. Teacher: 'You ran and you read TWICE!'
3Next child goes. Teacher cheers: 'Your turn — you can do it!' Class cheers for each child.
4After all children have gone, Teacher: 'Every child ran and named words — we are all shuttle champions!'
5After all children have gone, Teacher: 'Every child ran and named words — we are all shuttle champions!'
Teacher TipShuttle runs burn maximum energy. Every child runs — no scores.
82
Standing Balance Name
How to Play
1Children stand on one leg. Teacher shows a flashcard: child names the word while balancing.
2Teacher: 'Switch legs — name another word!' Child switches, names: 'Bird!' Teacher: 'You balanced AND you named!'
3Teacher: 'Can you balance on one leg for five seconds AND say two words?' Child tries. Teacher celebrates every attempt.
4Teacher: 'Every child balanced today — that is real focus!'
5Teacher: 'Every child balanced today — that is real focus!'
Teacher TipSingle-leg balance builds concentration and core strength.
83
Partner Carry Name
How to Play
1Children pair up and stand side by side at the start line. Teacher: 'Hold hands with your partner — walk TOGETHER!'
2Teacher shows a flashcard. Both partners say the word together: 'ELEPHANT!' Teacher: 'Yes — together! Now walk to the finish line together!'
3Partners walk together to the finish line, saying every word they see along the way. Teacher walks alongside: 'Hold hands! Say it TOGETHER!'
4Both partners cross the finish line together. Teacher: 'You walked and talked — teamwork!' Both partners high-five each other.
5Teacher matches children with new partners. Do it again. Teacher: 'New partner — same teamwork!' All pairs try. Teacher celebrates every pair at the end.
Teacher TipPartner walking builds social confidence and teamwork alongside vocabulary. New partners each round means every child works with everyone else over time.
84
Flashcard Trail Walk
How to Play
1Teacher places flashcards in a trail around the gym. Teacher: 'Step OVER each card and say the word you step over!'
2Child steps over cards: 'Dog! ...Cat! ...Bird!' Teacher: 'Say it as you step!'
3Child continues around the trail. Teacher: 'You are reading a word TRAIL — every step is a word!'
4After all children have done the trail, Teacher: 'We stepped through all our words today!' Class celebrates.
5Teacher: 'Every step was a word — we walked through our vocabulary!'
Teacher TipStepping on cards while naming creates a physical memory trace.
85
Cone Knock Down Race
How to Play
1Teacher sets up 10 cones in a row. Teacher: 'Sprint and KICK each cone down one by one — then sprint back!'
2Child sprints, kicks cones: 'ONE! ...TWO!' Teacher: 'Kick and COUNT!'
3Child kicks all cones and sprints back. Teacher: 'You knocked them ALL down!' Next child has a turn.
4After all children, Teacher: 'Every person knocked down cones today — pure kinetic joy!' Class celebrates.
5Teacher: 'We kicked and we counted — what a workout!'
Teacher TipKnocking down cones is pure kinetic joy at any age.
86
Teacher Says Jump
How to Play
1Teacher calls a number — children jump that many times while naming a word. Teacher: 'Jump THREE times — JUMP!' Children: 'ONE, TWO, THREE!'
2Teacher calls a body part — children touch it and name a word. Teacher: 'Touch your KNEES — say a word!' Children: 'Knees! Bird!'
3Teacher calls an animal sound — children make the sound and name a word. Teacher: 'Moo like a cow AND say a word!' Children: 'MOO! Fish!'
4Teacher celebrates every response equally. Teacher: 'You listened and you responded — every time!'
5Teacher: 'Every child responded to every command — that is amazing listening!'
Teacher TipMixed commands keep children alert and burn maximum energy.
87
Hoop Spin Name
How to Play
1Children spin a hula hoop around their waist. Teacher: 'Spin and SAY — name a word while the hoop spins!'
2Child spins: 'Apple!' The hoop falls. Child picks it up, names another word, and spins again. Teacher: 'You spun AND you named!'
3Teacher: 'How many words can you name before the hoop falls? Count with me!' Class counts together.
4Teacher celebrates every attempt. Teacher: 'Every spin was an attempt — that is what matters!'
5Teacher celebrates every attempt. Teacher: 'Every spin was an attempt — that is what matters!'
Teacher TipHula hoop spinning strengthens core and coordination simultaneously.
88
Ball Roll and Run
How to Play
1Child rolls a ball from one end of the gym. Teacher: 'Chase your ball — when it stops, name the nearest flashcard!'
2Child chases the ball, it stops. Teacher shows a card nearby: 'Say it!' Child: 'Moon!' Child kicks the ball again.
3Child continues rolling and naming. Teacher: 'Keep it going — roll, chase, name, roll, chase, name!'
4After all children have gone, Teacher: 'We rolled and we read — you are ball chasers!' Class celebrates.
5Teacher: 'Every child chased their ball and named words — brilliant!'
Teacher TipChasing a ball you are also controlling is deeply engaging.
89
Partner Wheelbarrow Walk
How to Play
1Children pair up. One child puts hands on the floor. Partner holds their legs gently. Teacher: 'This makes a TUNNEL — waddle forward together!'
2The pair waddles forward together — the child on hands keeps going, the holder guides from behind. Teacher: 'Steady! Don't rush!'
3Teacher shows a flashcard at the end of the tunnel. Child at the front of the tunnel says the word: 'MOON!' Teacher: 'You said it INSIDE the tunnel!'
4Teacher calls: 'SWAP!' The other child becomes the tunnel. Try again with new roles. Teacher: 'You are BOTH the tunnel AND the reader!'
5All pairs go together. Teacher cheers: 'You are a team! You moved together!' Both partners celebrate with a high five at the end.
Teacher TipTunnel partners builds tremendous trust and coordination. Keep the tunnel low — the goal is waddling, not speed. Both children get a turn as tunnel.
90
Basket Roll Pass
How to Play
1Children stand in two lines facing each other, arms out. Teacher: 'Roll the ball down the line — each child names a word as the ball passes!'
2Ball rolls: 'Apple! ...Banana! ...Cat!' Teacher: 'If the ball is dropped, start again — that's okay!'
3After the ball has travelled the whole line, Teacher: 'How far did our ball travel while we named words?' Class celebrates the distance.
4Teacher celebrates every attempt. Teacher: 'We rolled and we read together — that is teamwork!'
5Teacher celebrates every attempt. Teacher: 'We rolled and we read together — that is teamwork!'
Teacher TipRolling in a line teaches teamwork and sequential memory.
91
Dance Partner Name
How to Play
1Partners hold hands and dance together. Teacher plays music. Teacher: 'Dance with your partner — feel the music!'
2When music stops, Teacher shows a flashcard. Both partners say the word and do one joint action — a jump, a spin, or a clap.
3Word: 'STAR!' Both jump and shout: 'STAR!' Word: 'MOON!' Both spin and shout: 'MOON!'
4Next pair goes. Teacher: 'Show me your best dance move!' Partners dance and name. Class cheers.
5After several rounds, Teacher: 'Every pair danced and read today — you are all dance stars!'
Teacher TipDancing with a partner builds social confidence alongside vocabulary.
92
Number Hopscotch Name
How to Play
1Teacher draws a hopscotch grid with numbers. Child hops on each square, naming a flashcard word on each landing.
2Child hops: 'ONE — Apple!' Hops: 'TWO — Ball!' Teacher: 'Skip a number — name a word!' Child skips to a new square.
3Child continues hopping and naming. Teacher: 'How many words did you name? Count them!' Class counts.
4After all children have tried, Teacher: 'We hopped and we named — our feet know our words!' Class celebrates.
5Teacher: 'Every child hopped today — that is real focus!'
Teacher TipHopscotch builds balance, number sense, and vocabulary simultaneously.
93
Balloon Keep Up
How to Play
1Children keep a balloon in the air by hitting it with any body part. Teacher: 'Hit the balloon UP — say a word every time you hit it!'
2Child hits balloon: 'Apple!' Hits again: 'Bird!' Balloon touches floor. Teacher: 'Three hits — brilliant!'
3Child does three jumps and rejoins. Teacher: 'How many hits can we get as a class? Count together!'
4Teacher celebrates every child. Teacher: 'Every hit was a word — we hit our vocabulary!'
5Teacher celebrates every child. Teacher: 'Every hit was a word — we hit our vocabulary!'
Teacher TipKeeping a balloon up while naming is a joyful multi-task challenge.
94
Cone Tag Freeze
How to Play
1One child is IT and carries a soft marker cone. Teacher: 'IT tags another child by tapping their shoulder — gently!'
2IT taps another child. Both freeze. IT shows a flashcard to the tagged child. Child names the word: 'Cloud!'
3Both children run back to the start line together. Teacher: 'You both ran — that's teamwork!'
4After all children have been tagged, Teacher: 'Every child was tagged and every child named a word — we are all IT today!' Class celebrates.
5Teacher celebrates all children. Teacher: 'You tagged and you named — amazing teamwork!'
Teacher TipTag games are always high energy — vocabulary is a happy byproduct.
95
Flashcard Treasure Hunt
How to Play
1Teacher hides flashcards around the playground. Children search in pairs. Teacher: 'Find a card — BOTH partners name the word together!'
2Pair finds a card. Both say the word together: 'ELEPHANT!' Teacher: 'You found it TOGETHER — teamwork!'
3Pairs collect cards. Teacher: 'How many cards did our treasure hunters find? Let's count!'
4After all cards are found, Teacher: 'You are the best treasure hunters — you found every word together!'
5After all cards are found, Teacher: 'You are the best treasure hunters — you found every word together!'
Teacher TipSearching together builds teamwork and vocabulary recall simultaneously.
96
Standing Jump Name
How to Play
1Children stand side by side in a line. Teacher calls a word — children jump forward as high as possible and name the word.
2Child jumps high and lands: 'CAT!' Teacher: 'Yes — jump again! Say another word!' Child jumps: 'Bird!'
3Children take turns. Teacher claps for every jump. Teacher: 'I am clapping for EVERYONE — you all jumped beautifully!'
4The whole class jumps together. Teacher: 'Everyone — on three! One, two, THREE — JUMP!' Class jumps and names together: 'MOON!'
5Teacher celebrates every child. Teacher: 'You jumped and you named — you are all sky-high learners!'
Teacher TipVertical jumping burns energy and builds explosive power.
97
Balloon Sit and Name
How to Play
1Children sit on balloons carefully — not popping them. Teacher: 'Sit gently — feel the balloon under you!'
2While sitting, children name vocabulary words. Teacher: 'Say a word — then switch to another word!'
3If a balloon pops, Teacher: 'Get a new balloon and keep naming!' Teacher celebrates: 'You sat and you read — brilliant balance!'
4Teacher celebrates every child. Teacher: 'Every child tried sitting today — that takes courage!'
5Teacher celebrates every child. Teacher: 'Every child tried sitting today — that takes courage!'
Teacher TipSitting on balloons requires core strength and focus simultaneously.
98
Triangle Pass Name
How to Play
1Children form triangles of three, holding hands. Pass a soft ball around the triangle — each child names a word.
2Ball goes around the triangle: 'Apple! ...Banana! ...Cat!' Teacher: 'If the ball is dropped, start again — that's okay!'
3Teacher: 'How many words can each triangle name in one minute? Count together!'
4Teacher celebrates every triangle. Teacher: 'Every triangle worked as a team — that is beautiful!'
5Teacher celebrates every triangle. Teacher: 'Every triangle worked as a team — that is beautiful!'
Teacher TipTriangle formations build group cohesion and trust.
99
Gym Circuit Name
How to Play
1Teacher sets up five stations: jump, hop, run, stretch, spin. At each station, a flashcard is placed.
2Child moves through all five stations, naming the word at each one. Teacher: 'Name it and GO to the next one!'
3Teacher times the circuit. Child tries again, names more words.
4After all children have gone, Teacher: 'We did every station and we named every word — we are circuit masters!' Class celebrates.
5Teacher: 'Every child completed the circuit — we are all champions!'
Teacher TipCircuit training with vocabulary is the ultimate multi-task challenge.
100
Champion Circle Clap
How to Play
1All children stand in a big circle. Teacher points to a child: 'Step forward, name a flashcard word, and do an action!'
2Child steps forward, sees 'JUMP' card, and jumps: 'JUMP!' Class claps the rhythm of the action.
3Next child steps forward: sees 'SPIN' card, and spins. Class claps: 'CLAP CLAP CLAP!'
4Teacher points to next child. New word, new action. Class claps the new rhythm. Continue until everyone has had a turn.
5At the end, Teacher: 'We made a rhythm circle today — every one of you added to it!' Class cheers together.
Teacher TipEnding with a clap circle builds class spirit and celebrates vocabulary mastery.