Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Pancake Flip Race Cards: Free Printable Game for Year 2
- ForYear 2
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Pancake Flip Race Cards is a free printable team game for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). Children cut out the task cards, then race in teams. They hop, tiptoe, skip, spin and carry a paper pancake on a tray. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes on how to use the sheet, 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. The game is for 4 to 20 players. Print both pages, use page 1 for the game and keep page 2 for the grown-up. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children play a relay style race in teams. The cards are movement tasks, such as hopping to the line and back, walking with the tray flat, skipping, tiptoeing, spinning round once, taking giant steps and flipping a paper pancake twice. A simple way to play is for each child to take a card, do the task and then hand over to the next player.
- Hop to the line and back
- Walk with the tray flat
- Flip a paper pancake twice
- Skip to the line and back
- Tiptoe to the line and back
- Spin round once and go
- Walk backwards, slowly
- Take giant steps
- Wiggle your arms and go
How to set up the race
Mark the course
Choose a safe, clear floor. Mark a start line and a turning line with tape, string or a skipping rope. Keep the space free of bags, shoes and furniture.
Make the pancakes
Cut a circle of paper for each team, or roll up a sock. Use a pan or tray for carrying and flipping. A light tray is easier for younger children.
Cut out the cards
Cut out the task cards and put them face down in a pile for each team. Children turn over a card when it is their go.
Agree the rules
Read the rules out loud before you start. Decide what happens if the pancake drops, so every team plays the same game.
Why a pancake race?
Pancake Day is also called Shrove Tuesday. It falls the day before Lent begins in the Christian calendar, and the date changes from year to year. Many families in the UK make pancakes that day. Some towns hold pancake races, where runners flip a pancake in a pan as they go. This game brings that idea indoors, with paper in place of batter.
Team races are a friendly way to practise rules and turn taking. Children have to listen, wait, move with care and cheer on others. Carrying a tray flat and flipping a light pancake also asks them to slow down and control their bodies. That balance of speed and care is a good skill for Year 2.
Real pancakes, hot pans and cooking are for adults only. This game uses a paper circle or a rolled up sock, and a pan or tray that is cool and empty. Play on a clear floor and keep the pace sensible so nobody trips.
Pancake Day facts
- Pancake Day is also called Shrove Tuesday.
- Pancake Day happens once a year, in February or March.
- Some places in the UK hold pancake races where people flip a pancake in a pan as they run.
- A traditional pancake batter is made from flour, eggs and milk.
- Many people in the UK like pancakes with lemon and sugar.
Skills and curriculum link
- Teamwork
- Following rules
- Taking turns
- Movement and balance
- Listening
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) | PE | Team games | Year 2 |
What children will be able to do
- I can follow the rules of a team race.
- I can wait for my turn and cheer on my team.
- I can move with care while flipping and carrying.
Getting the most from the game
- Read the rules aloudRead the rules together before the first round. Ask a child to explain them back in their own words.
- Start slowlyLet children try each movement once without racing. Then add the race, so care comes before speed.
- Use the talk promptsAsk the talk prompts below after the game. They are our own suggestions and are not printed on the sheet.
- Keep rounds shortTwo quick games work better than one long one. Stop while children are still keen.
Key words
- TeamA group of players who work together to win.
- RelayA race where players take turns and pass on to the next person.
- TurnYour chance to play before the next person goes.
- RuleSomething everyone agrees to follow so the game is fair.
- FlipTo turn something over in the air so the other side shows.
- BalanceKeeping steady so you do not wobble or fall.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Cut out the task cards from page 1 and keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- Set up a clear course with a start line and a turning line. Give each team a pan or tray and a paper pancake.
- Read the rules aloud and try each kind of movement once, slowly.
- Race in teams. Each player takes a card, does the task and then hands over. Cheer for every team.
- Talk about how it went, then play again another day. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use a lighter tray for younger children. Let them practise the walk or the flip on their own before the race starts. Shorten the course, and remind them that a careful go is as good as a fast one.
To stretch confident children
Count how many flips each team does in a minute. Play once, then talk about how the team could do better. Play again and see whether the count changes. Remind children that careful flips still count.
Make it a game
Make up two new task cards of your own. Think of a safe movement, such as hopping on one foot or walking like a crab. Add them to the pile and play again. Ask each team to invent one card.
Talk about it
- Why do we need rules in a race?
- What helped your team work well together?
- What would you change to make the race fairer?
- Which task was the hardest to do carefully? Why?
- How did it feel to wait for your turn?
- How could you cheer on a team mate who dropped the pancake?
Take it off the page
Paper pancake craft
Cut circles from paper and colour them golden brown. Draw toppings on them. Use them as spare pancakes for the race.
Move like a pancake
Take turns to call out a movement, such as tiptoe, skip or giant steps. Everyone else copies it across the room.
Pretend kitchen
Set up a play kitchen with a tray, a paper pancake and a pretend order. Children take turns being the cook and the customer. Adults do any real cooking.
Who it is for
Parents
Play it with a few family members or friends, with children on teams. Join in for the first go, then let your child lead. Keep it light, cheer every team, and stop before anyone tires.
Teachers
Use it as a PE starter, a wet playtime activity, a class team game or a reward session. It needs only printing, cutting and a pan or tray. It suits mixed groups of 4 to 20 players, and page 2 has help and stretch ideas.
Home educators
Use it as a movement break in a home education day. Pair it with a book or talk about Pancake Day, and let children design extra cards. Reuse it with brothers and sisters, or with friends from a home education group.
Where this fits
Before this game, children play simple turn taking games and learn to move safely with others. Snowman Race Dice Game is a gentle step down, with a race and turns to follow. Both build the habit of waiting, listening and playing fairly.
After this game, children can try games that need more thinking as well as moving. Chess for Beginners is one step up in the same subject. It also relies on rules and turns, but asks children to plan ahead.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Why do we need rules in a race?
- What helped your team work well together?
- What would you change to make the race fairer?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Pancake Flip Race Cards for?
It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can join in with a lighter tray, and older children can use the stretch idea to make it harder.
- How many people can play?
The game is for 4 to 20 players. Children race in teams, so it works for a family group, a small group of friends or a whole class.
- What do I need to play?
You need a pan or tray, and a paper circle or a rolled up sock as the pancake. You also need the printed cards and a safe, clear floor.
- Is it safe to use a real pan?
Use a cool, empty pan or a tray, never anything hot. Adults do all real cooking and handle hot pans. Children play with a paper pancake or a rolled up sock.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use a lighter tray for younger children. Shorten the course and let them practise the walk or flip alone first. Praise careful movement, not only speed.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a PE starter, a plenary, a rainy day activity or a team game. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting out the cards.
- Is it free, and do I need colour?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, so you do not need colour.
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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.