3.3y–5y12 minFree playDevelopmental playFamily time
Build & Travel: Fix-It Adventure
A big-build construction play session using household 'fixing' methods (twist, push, slot, magnets) combined with moving under/over/through a child-made structure.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–4 cardboard boxes or empty packaging of different sizes
- plastic tubs/containers with lids (for twisting on/off)
- paper or card strips (for slotting)
- clothespins or binder clips (for clipping pieces together)
Nice to have
- fridge magnets (only if appropriate and safely supervised)
- masking tape
- 2 chairs and a blanket (to create a tunnel)
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
- MilestoneManipulates materials to achieve a planned effect.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneBuilds with non-block construction piecesBody· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneSelects appropriate resources and adapts work where necessary.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneNegotiates space while movingBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneExperiments with different ways of moving.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneMaintains control under frustrationHeart· 4.5y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneShows understanding of how to transport and store equipment safely.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneTwists mechanismsBody· 2y–3.5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneClimbs playground equipmentBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
- Travels with confidence and skill around, under, over and through balancing and climbing equipment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Experiments with different ways of moving.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows increasing control over an object in pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking it.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide a range of construction toys of different sizes, made of wood, rubber or plastic, that fix together in a variety of ways, e.g. by twisting, pushing, slotting or magnetism.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)