3.3y–5y8 minFree playOutdoorActive play
Ball Zone Boundaries
A boundary-marking game that helps children regulate ball or wheeled-toy play by keeping play within clear zones and practising stop/return routines.
What you'll need
Essentials
- masking tape, string, or chalk (to mark boundaries)
- 1 soft ball (or a rolled sock ball)
Nice to have
- a wheeled toy (ride-on, push-along, toy car)
- 2–4 cones/markers (cups or bottles)
- timer or phone stopwatch
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneNegotiates space while movingBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneShows increasing control over an object in pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking it.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneHandles varied tools with controlBody· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneMakes sharp turns while runningBody· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- Shows increasing control over an object in pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking it.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Negotiates space successfully when playing racing and chasing games with other children, adjusting speed or changing direction to avoid obstacles.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Mark out boundaries for some activities, such as games involving wheeled toys or balls, so that children can more easily regulate their own activities.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)