Group activity cards

It is up to you to choose when and how you implement movement breaks. To get you started, we have created some movement activity cards that can be implemented as group activities with your whole class. These are coded to help you consider which to choose (for example, depending on the space and time available, or level of energy of your class at the time). You can also use our individual activity cards with your group, different games and movement activities your class has done before and enjoyed, or come up with your own movement activities! We have provided a blank activity card template which you can use to record other movement activity ideas.

Click on the icons below to view or download instructions for each activity, and suggested variations to help adapt the activity to best support your class. We provide some ideas for how you can adapt the activity for the age, energy level, abilities, and motivation of your class. You know your class best, and may have other variations to make activities more suitable for your class.

Introduction

Here, you can find overall guidance for using the group activity cards, and inclusion tips to get everyone involved!
Icon key

Here, you can find a quick guide to understand the icons used on each of the group activity cards.
Amazing athletes

Children imagine they are playing a variety of sports.
Animal roll call

Children pretend to be different animals!
Bobs and statues

Use a classic game of bobs and statues to get children moving.
Body knots

Small groups will need to move in different ways to untangle themselves.
Captain's coming

Children pretend they are sailors on a ship and move according to the captain’s commands!
Driver’s seat

Children will move by imagining they are driving a car.
Hand band

Children will send clapping patterns around a circle by each child repeating the movement of the person before them.
Head, shoulders, knees & toes

Use this classic song to get children moving.
Hokey pokey

Use this classic dance to get children moving.
Holiday snaps

Children will act out a variety of holiday activities.
Imagine and move

Children get creative in acting out imaginary scenarios.
Invisible pen

Children move by pretending to ‘write’ with different parts of their bodies!
Join in

Children move in and out of a circle while doing self-led or teacher-directed movements.
Make a shake

Children create unique handshakes involving different body actions.
Mini Olympics

Children pretend to play a series of Olympic sports!
Mirror images

Children partner up and mirror each other’s actions.
Paper scissors rock

The game of paper, scissors, rock is adapted to involve the whole body.
Relax max

Children are guided through a series of stretches.
Roly poly

Use dice to determine which movement to do and how many times to do it!
Show, don’t tell

A small group of children act out various activities while another group guesses the actions!
Show us your moves

Children have a dance break! Use some classic styles, or freestyle.
Simon says

Use a classic game of Simon Says to get children moving.
The Mexican wave

Do the Mexican wave and add some challenges to get children moving.
Tunnel tap

This activity involves playing an imaginary version of the classic game of tunnel ball.
What’s the time Mr Wolf?

Use this classic game to get children moving, and no one gets eliminated!
Yoga time!

Children are guided through a series of yoga poses for some calming movement.
Blank Card

If you would like to create your own movement activity, you can use this template!

Enrol in our short and free professional learning course to learn more about how to adapt movement activities for diverse learners.