3.3y–5y13 minFree playOutdoorActive play
Big Movers Build: Cooperative Structures
A cooperative ‘build a structure’ game where you offer large, portable household items and coach your child to move them safely, plan together, and create a simple den/track/bridge to play through.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–4 large cushions or sofa pillows
- 2 cardboard boxes or laundry baskets
- a rolled towel or blanket (to make a ‘log’ or ‘tunnel’)
- masking tape (optional, for marking ‘where it goes’)
Nice to have
- large cardboard tube substitute (a rolled-up poster or wrapping paper tube, if available)
- a small soft toy (to send through the structure as a ‘test’)
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
- MilestoneShows understanding of how to transport and store equipment safely.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneManipulates materials to achieve a planned effect.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneBuilds with non-block construction piecesBody· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneNegotiates space while movingBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneBuilds block structures (vertical, walls, enclosures)Body· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneClimbs playground equipmentBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneMakes sharp turns while runningBody· 3.3y–5y· stretch
What it practices
- Travels with confidence and skill around, under, over and through balancing and climbing equipment.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
- Experiments with different ways of moving.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide large portable equipment that children can move about safely and cooperatively to create their own structures, such as milk crates, tyres, large cardboard tubes.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)