Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Animal Moves Board Game: Free Printable Game for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Animal Moves Board Game is a free printable game for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children roll a dice, move a counter and do an animal move together with a grown up. It is a screen free way to practise moving in different ways, counting squares and taking turns. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas and a stretch idea.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children play on the floor with a dice and two counters. They roll, move a counter along the board and count each square as they go. Then everyone does the animal move together. Players take turns, so they practise waiting, watching and cheering each other on. There is no writing to do. The grown up joins in, which makes it easy to talk about each move and keep the game light and fun.
Why use animal moves for early movement practice?
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Physical Development includes gross motor skills. These are the big movements that use the large muscles in the arms, legs and body. Children build them through play, such as hopping, stretching, crawling and balancing. Regular practice helps with coordination, strength and confidence. It also supports the fine motor skills needed later for holding a pencil.
Animals give young children a reason to move in new ways. Pretending to be a creature is easy to understand and fun to copy, so even shy children join in. A board game adds counting and turn taking. Children count squares, wait for their turn and watch others move. That makes it a good mix of movement, early number and social skills.
Clear a safe space before you play. Move furniture and anything breakable out of the way. Play on a floor that is not slippery, ideally in bare feet or with non slip shoes. Keep moves gentle and stop if anyone gets tired or dizzy. Small counters and dice are not for children who still put things in their mouths.
Animal move facts to share
- Frogs have strong back legs that help them jump.
- Kangaroos hop on their two big back legs.
- Snakes have no legs. They move by wriggling their bodies.
- Many crabs walk sideways.
- Penguins waddle on land but are fast swimmers.
Skills and curriculum link
- Gross motor skills
- Moving in different ways
- Counting squares
- Taking turns
- Listening and copying
Ideas to help children move well
- Give them spaceChildren need room to stretch and wiggle without bumping into anything or anyone. Play in a hall, a garden or a cleared living room.
- Try slow and fastOnce a move is familiar, ask for it in slow motion, then quickly. This helps children control their bodies.
- Count aloudSay each number together as the counter moves. Touching each square with a finger helps children match one number to one square.
- Praise effortCheer for trying, not for the best move. Every child can join in, whatever their size or skill.
Key words
- DiceA small cube with spots on each side. You roll it to see how many squares to move.
- CounterA small piece that shows where you are on the board.
- SquareOne space on the board. You count each one as you move.
- TurnYour go. Then you wait while someone else has theirs.
- HopJump on one foot and land on the same foot.
- BalanceKeep your body steady without wobbling or falling.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is the board for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for the grown up.
- Put the board on the floor. Give each player a counter and find a dice.
- Take turns to roll. Move your counter and count each square out loud.
- When you land, everyone does the animal move for that square together.
- Come back to the game another day. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use a dice with spots only up to 3, so the counting stays small. Let your child touch each square with a finger as they count aloud. Do the animal moves slowly and show each one first, so your child can copy you.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to make up a new animal move for each square. They can show it, give it a name and teach it to you. Then play again using their moves instead, and see if you can remember them all.
Make it a game
Take the game outdoors or into a hall with a longer pretend race track. Lay out rope, tape or chalk lines for the squares. Children roll, then walk along the track and do each animal move as they land.
Talk about it
- Which animal move was your favourite? Why?
- Can you show me how that animal moves slowly? And now fast?
- How many squares did you move? Let's count them again.
- Whose turn is it now? How do you know?
- Can you think of an animal that moves in a different way?
- Which move was the hardest for your body? Which was the easiest?
Take it off the page
Animal walk to the park
Pick a different animal for each stretch of a walk. Hop like a frog to the lamp post, then tiptoe like a cat to the gate. Keep roads and traffic for holding hands and walking safely.
Statue animals
Play music and let children move like an animal. When the music stops, they freeze like a statue. Ask them which animal they are and how they know.
Animal story time
Read a story about animals and act out how each one moves. Pause after each page so children can try the move before you read on.
Who it is for
Parents
Play the first round with your child and join in with every move. Children copy what they see. Ten to fifteen minutes is plenty. Stop while it is still fun, and play again another day.
Teachers
Use it as a PE starter, a wet playtime game or a small group activity in the hall. It supports gross motor skills and turn taking, and needs no preparation beyond printing. Pair children so a confident mover plays with a shy one.
Home educators
Use it as a movement break between sitting down activities, or alongside a topic on animals. Brothers and sisters can play together. Younger children can copy the moves while older ones roll and count the squares.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before this game, children explore big movements through free play, such as running, climbing, crawling and rolling. They also learn to count small numbers and to wait for a turn. This sheet brings those skills together in one simple game with a few rules.
After Reception, children in Year 1 and Year 2 move on to the National Curriculum for PE. At Key Stage 1 they work on basic movements such as running, jumping, balancing and coordination, and play simple games. Playing with moves and rules now gives them a head start.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is the Animal Moves Board Game for?
It is made for Reception, which is children aged 4 to 5 in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Younger children can join in with help, and older children can use the stretch idea to make up their own animal moves.
- What do children practise with this game?
They practise moving in different ways, counting squares and taking turns. This links to the Physical Development goals on gross motor skills in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It also builds listening and copying skills.
- What do I need to play?
You need the printed board, a dice and two counters. Coins, buttons or small toys work as counters. Play on the floor with a clear space, and make sure small pieces are kept away from very young children.
- What if the game feels too hard?
Use a dice that only goes up to 3 and let your child touch each square with a finger as they count aloud. Show each animal move first so they can copy you. Keep rounds short and stop when it stops being fun.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a PE starter, a wet playtime game, a small group activity or an early finisher task. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has help and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
- Is it a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper, a dice and two counters. It is a good choice for rainy days, school holidays or a change of pace after screen time, and it gets children moving and talking.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can colour the board in first if they like, which makes the game feel like their own. It is free to print again for brothers and sisters.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.