8mo–20mo10 minFree playFamily timeSelf-care
Reach & Fetch Circuit
A quick home set-up and movement game where toys are placed within safe reach so your child can practice reaching, fetching, and moving across the floor or along furniture.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 4–6 safe toys (large, unbreakable, no small parts)
- a basket or container
- a clear floor space
Nice to have
- a cushion (to mark a ‘home base’)
- a tea towel (to partially cover a toy)
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
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core· Steps 1, 4
- MilestoneCrawls or scoots for floor mobilityBody· 7mo–12mo· core
- MilestoneCruises along furnitureBody· 10mo–15mo· core
- MilestoneMoves obstacle to get objectMind· 8mo–12mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFinds a visibly hidden objectMind· 7mo–14mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneWalks independentlyBody· 15mo–20mo· stretch
What it practices
- When sitting, can lean forward to pick up small toys.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Crawls, bottom shuffles or rolls continuously to move around.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Walks around furniture lifting one foot and stepping sideways (cruising), and walks with one or both hands held by adult.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Takes first few steps independently.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Make toys easily accessible for children to reach and fetch.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)