3.3y–5y10 minActive playFree playOutdoor
Sockbag Skills Circuit
A lively, home-friendly skills circuit using rolled socks, cups, and a soft ball to practise throwing, kicking, weaving, and safe jumping in a small space.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 3–6 plastic cups or empty water bottles (as markers)
- 2–3 rolled-up socks (as 'beanbags')
- 1 soft ball or scrunched paper ball in a sock
- 1 laundry basket or saucepan (as a target)
Nice to have
- masking tape or a scarf/rope (to make a 'hoop' circle on the floor)
- timer or phone stopwatch
- cushions (for a soft landing spot)
Movement level: high
What you'll do
The 5-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneShows increasing control over an object in pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking it.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneExperiments with different ways of moving.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneNegotiates space while movingBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneRuns around obstaclesBody· 2.7y–3.7y· stretch
- MilestoneMakes sharp turns while runningBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneLikes helping with tasksHeart· 2.5y–3.5y· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
- 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
- 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
- Jumps off an object and lands appropriately.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Practise movement skills through games with beanbags, cones, balls and hoops.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)