Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Days of the Week Order: Free Printable Game for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Days of the Week Order is a free printable game for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children read the names of the days, then put them in the right order using the lines and steps on the sheet. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help for children who find it hard 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 meet the names of the days of the week in a mixed up jumble. Their job is to read each name, think about which day comes before and which comes after, and put the days in the right order. The sheet has lines for writing and steps to put in order, so children practise reading and sequencing at the same time.
- Friday
- Monday
- Sunday
- Wednesday
- Tuesday
- Saturday
- Thursday
How the sheet builds understanding
Read it
Children read each day word carefully. Some day names have letters that are not sounded, so slow reading helps.
Say it
Saying the days aloud, or singing them, gives children a rhythm to rely on when they are unsure.
Order it
Children decide which day goes where. They use the idea of before and after, which is the heart of sequencing.
Check it
Children look back along the whole week and ask whether it sounds right. Checking their own work builds confidence.
Why the days of the week matter in Year 1
In Year 1, children begin to use the language of time. They learn to say what day it is, what day it was yesterday and what day comes tomorrow. The days of the week are a good place to start because they repeat in the same order every week. Children hear the words at home and at school all the time, so they already feel familiar.
Knowing the order of the days helps children feel secure about their week. They can look forward to a favourite club, get ready for a trip or understand why some days are different from others. The words are also tricky to read and spell, so ordering them gives useful practice with long words where some letters are not said aloud.
Fun facts about the week
- A week has seven days.
- The days come round again in the same order, week after week.
- Sunday is named after the Sun and Monday is named after the Moon.
- Saturday is named after Saturn, a Roman god.
- Many calendars show the names of the days in a row across the top.
Skills and curriculum link
- Sequencing
- Language of time
- Reading words
- Before and after
- Handwriting
Ideas for helping your child
- Use the songSing a days of the week song before you start. A tune gives children a pattern to follow when they put the words in order.
- Link to real lifeTalk about what happens on certain days, such as swimming, library or a visit to grandparents. Real events make the days feel meaningful.
- Use the calendarShow a calendar on the wall. Point to the days and let your child touch each one as you say it.
- Ask before and afterAsk, "Which day comes before this one?" and "Which comes after?" These questions help children think in sequence, not just recite.
Key words
- DayA period of time that lasts from one morning to the next. We give each day its own name.
- WeekA group of days that repeats again and again. It has its own set of day names.
- OrderThe way things are arranged one after another.
- BeforeEarlier than something else.
- AfterLater than something else.
- WeekendThe days at the end of the week when many families do not go to school or work.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- Sing a days of the week song first, then try the sheet.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice your child makes.
- Check with the notes on page 2. Ask your child to explain how they decided.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Write each day on its own card and lay the cards out on the floor. Let your child move them around until the order feels right. Say the days aloud as you go. When they are happy, copy the order onto the sheet.
To stretch confident children
Ask what comes two days after Tuesday. Then ask what comes three days before another day of your choice. Children can make up their own questions for you. This moves them from reciting the days to really using the order.
Make it a game
Chant the week together and clap on the weekend. Then try it again, but leave out one day and see if the other player can say which day is missing. Take turns being the one who leaves a day out.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child mixes up two days that start with the same letter.
Try thisSay the first sound of each word slowly. Point out the letters that make the sounds, then sing the song to hear which comes first.
Watch forA child puts the days in alphabetical order.
Try thisExplain that this sheet is about the order of the week, not the alphabet. Sing the song and let them match the words to the tune.
Watch forA child gets stuck and cannot decide where a day goes.
Try thisAsk which days they are sure of and place those first. Then fill in the gaps one at a time.
Talk about it
- What day is it today? How do you know?
- What day was it yesterday, and what will it be tomorrow?
- Which day of the week is your favourite? Why?
- What do we usually do on different days of the week?
- Which day word is hardest to read? What helps you?
- How could we help a younger child learn the days?
Take it off the page
Weekly picture chart
Draw a box for each day on a long piece of paper. Fill each box with a picture of something you do on that day. Hang it on the wall and look at it each morning.
Floor stepping stones
Write each day on a sheet of paper and put them on the floor in a jumbled pile. Ask your child to place them in order and hop along them, saying each day aloud.
Day of the week hunt
Look at a calendar, a diary or the front of a magazine. Find the day names written there and read them together.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. Keep it relaxed and playful. Singing the days first often helps. If they are unsure, try the card activity on the floor before writing anything.
Teachers
Use it as a starter or plenary in a unit on time, as an early finisher task or at a table activity. Pair it with a class song or the daily calendar routine. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Use it alongside your daily routines, such as saying the day at breakfast. It pairs well with a wall calendar, picture books about the week and outdoor play. Print it again for brothers, sisters or a revision session later.
Where this fits
Before this sheet, children usually learn to talk about today, yesterday and tomorrow. They hear and say the day names in songs, routines and stories. This sheet builds on that spoken knowledge by asking them to read the words and order them on paper.
After this sheet, children can move on to the months of the year and the seasons. They can also begin to use a calendar to find a date, or to talk about how long events take. These all build on knowing that time follows a pattern.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Days of the Week Order for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Some children in Reception may enjoy it with help, and Year 2 children can use it for quick revision or as a warm up.
- What will children practise?
Children practise sequencing, the language of time and reading words. They put the days of the week in order, which links to the Year 1 measurement strand on the days of the week and the language of time.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages, and sing a days of the week song first. Work through page 1 together, talk about each choice, then check with the notes on page 2. Come back another day to build confidence.
- What if it feels too hard?
Try the card idea. Write each day on a card and order the cards on the floor before writing anything down. Say the days aloud together, and place the ones your child is sure of first.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or to revisit the activity a few weeks later.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It is a printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. It also gets children reading, thinking and writing by hand.
- How long does it take?
There is no set time. It is a short activity, so let your child work at their own pace and stop when they are tired. You can always come back to it on another day.
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.