Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Loops Dance Game: Free Printable Game for Year 2
- ForYear 2
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Loops Dance Game is a free printable game for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). Children pick a move set, then repeat it, just like a computer loop. One player is the coder who says the loop, and the others dance it. It takes about 10 minutes and needs no screen.
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 the children and keep page 2 for the grown-up. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children use cards to cut out, each showing a simple move such as clap twice, spin around, hop on one foot or freeze like a statue. They pick a move set, and the coder says how many times to loop it. The others dance it. Then the players swap roles. It is active, noisy in a good way, and gives children a physical feel for what a loop does.
- Clap twice
- Stamp your feet
- Spin around
- Jump up
- Wiggle your arms
- Tap your head
- Hop on one foot
- Touch your toes
- Wave hello
- Sway side to side
- March on the spot
- Freeze like a statue
A loop with different moves
Move set: nod your head, pat your knees. Loop of 4. What do the dancers do?
This example uses moves and a loop number that are different from the ones on the sheet. It shows two ways to think about a loop.
Method 1: dance it out in full- Say the move set: nod your head, pat your knees.
- Do the set once. That is run 1.
- Do it again for run 2, run 3 and run 4. Stop after run 4.
- Hold up no fingers at the start.
- Put up one finger each time the set is finished.
- When four fingers are up, the loop is done.
How to play a round
Pick a move set
Choose two or three move cards and put them in order. Say them aloud so everyone knows the set. Keep the set short at first.
Say the loop
The coder says the set and a loop number. The dancers do the set that many times in total. A loop of 3 means three runs of the set, not three extra runs.
Dance it together
Everyone dances the set, then does it again until the loop number is reached. The coder counts the runs out loud and watches for mistakes.
Swap roles
Let a dancer become the coder. Choose a new move set and a new loop number. Every child should have a go at coding and a go at dancing.
Why act out a loop?
A computer does exactly what its instructions tell it, in the order they are given. A list of instructions is called a program, and the person who writes it is a programmer. Sometimes the same steps need to happen again and again. Programmers can use a loop for this, so they do not have to write the steps out each time.
Unplugged activities let children explore these ideas with their bodies instead of a keyboard. A dance move set is easy to see and easy to repeat. Children can count the runs, spot mistakes and fix them straight away. That builds the habit of thinking carefully about instructions before using a computer.
Clear a safe space before you start. Move furniture aside and check the floor is dry and free of toys. Spinning and hopping need room, so keep players an arm's length apart. Stop for a rest if anyone feels dizzy.
Fun facts about instructions
- Computers follow instructions exactly. They do not guess what you meant.
- A set of instructions for a computer is called a program.
- A person who writes programs is called a programmer.
- Dancers, drummers and musicians often repeat short patterns in what they perform.
- Many games and apps you use are made from instructions that were written by people.
Skills and curriculum link
- Loops
- Following steps
- Counting
- Repeating patterns
- Listening
- Taking turns
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | Computing | Programming | Year 2 |
What children will be able to do
- I can say that a loop repeats instructions.
- I can make a dance with a repeating pattern.
- I can spot where a loop saves steps.
Ideas to talk about with your child
- InstructionsComputers need clear instructions in the right order. Ask your child what happens if two moves swap places in a set.
- Counting runsThe coder has to keep track of how many times the set has been danced. Counting aloud or on fingers helps.
- PatternsA pattern is something that repeats. Ask where your child sees patterns at home, in songs or on clothes.
- CheckingProgrammers test their work and fix mistakes. Watch the dance together and ask if it matched the instructions.
Key words
- LoopA set of steps that is repeated a set number of times.
- InstructionA clear order that tells someone or something what to do.
- Move setA group of dance moves done in a fixed order.
- CoderThe person who writes or says the instructions.
- RepeatTo do something again.
- PatternSomething that happens again and again in the same order.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the children. Keep page 2 for the grown-up, with the notes and answers.
- Cut out the move cards. A grown-up can help younger children with this.
- Play the first round together. The coder picks a move set and a loop number, and everyone else dances it.
- Check against the notes on page 2. Ask, "How many times did we do the set?" Listen to the reasoning as well as the answer.
- Come back to it another day and swap roles. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use only two move cards and a loop of 2. Say the moves slowly together, then dance them as a pair. Let your child count the runs on their fingers. When that feels easy, add a third card or raise the loop number by one.
To stretch confident children
Make a loop inside a loop. Repeat a short move set twice, then do that whole block three times. The set is danced six times in all. Ask your child to say how they worked out the total.
Make it a game
Let the dancer give the next player a move set and a loop number. That player dances it, then passes on a new set and number to the next person. Keep going until everyone has had a turn as coder.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forThe dancers stop after one run of the set.
Try thisRemind them that the loop number says how many runs to do. Put up a finger for each run and stop only when the fingers match the number.
Watch forThe dancers do the moves in a different order each time.
Try thisSay the set aloud before each run, or put the cards in a row and point to each one as it is danced.
Watch forThe count goes wrong halfway through.
Try thisLet one child act as counter. They say the run number out loud at the end of each run. Start again if the group loses track.
Talk about it
- What is a loop? Can you explain it in your own words?
- Why might a coder use a loop instead of writing the same moves again?
- What happens if the loop number changes from 2 to 5?
- What would go wrong if we swapped two moves in the set?
- Where else do you see something repeat, in songs, games or routines?
- Which move set was the most fun to loop, and why?
Take it off the page
Tidy up loop
Pick a short tidy up routine, such as put toys in the box, then close the lid. Do it as a loop until the room is clear.
Drum pattern
Tap a short pattern on a table, such as tap, tap, clap. Repeat it a set number of times and ask someone to count the runs.
Pattern drawing
Draw a short pattern of shapes or colours on paper. Repeat it along the page and say how many times it appears.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first round, then let them lead as coder. Ten minutes is plenty. Praise careful counting and clear instructions, and enjoy joining in with the dancing yourself.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting. It links to the programming strand of Computing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Pair it with music, outdoor play or a PE style warm up. Siblings can join in and take turns as coder. Repeat it a few weeks later to see whether children can handle longer sets and bigger loop numbers.
Where this fits in computing
Before this, children learn that instructions must be clear and in the right order. They give simple directions, follow them exactly and notice when a step is missing or in the wrong place. Counting and pattern work in maths also help.
After this, children can use loops when they plan and test simple programs. They begin to spot repeating steps and think about how to write them more briefly. Over time they move from acting out instructions to using them on screen.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What is a loop?
- How does a loop make the dance shorter to write?
- What would happen if the loop repeated twice more?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Loops Dance Game for?
It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can join in with a simple move set and a loop of 2, and older children can try a loop inside a loop.
- What will children practise?
They practise loops, following steps and counting. Children learn that a loop repeats the same steps a set number of times, and they use that idea to make and dance their own move sets.
- How many players do I need?
You need 2 or more players. One player is the coder, who says the move set and the loop number. The other players dance it. Everyone should have a turn in each role.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 10 minutes. You can make it shorter with fewer move cards and smaller loop numbers, or longer by swapping roles more often or trying the stretch idea on page 2.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use only two move cards and a loop of 2. Dance the set slowly together and count the runs on fingers. When that feels easy, add a third card or a bigger loop number.
- Is it a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper, a pencil and some space to move. It works well for quiet time after school, rainy days and school holidays, 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 cards in if they like, but they do not need to. Print both pages and keep page 2 for the grown-up.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.