Here, we are focusing on modern games and the ways that we can recreate them in a physical and tangible way for young children. Many video games have characters who have to engage in some sort of physical activity as they go on their missions, and often, they have to collect something such as coins, bananas, jewels, or other “loose parts” that represent some sort of strength, magic, or currency in the game. We were inspired by these collections to make a real-life version where children can move their bodies while they collect golden coins!
Set up Time: 20 minutes
Directions
- Gather together circular loose parts. We used buttons but you could also use plastic bottle caps, larger plastic lids, or any other interesting loose parts you can find!
- Spray paint your circles with gold spray paint and let them dry.
- Take them outside and hide the coins in places that will challenge children to move their bodies. For example, place them in places where they might have to (safely) climb, such as on a slide or a place where they have to reach high.
Materials
- Gold spray paint
- Collected lids
- Collected bottle caps
- Baking sheet (optional)
Safety Warning: Buttons and bottle caps can present a choking risk, substitute with large buttons or large bottle caps or lids appropriately for the group of children in your care.
Learning Through Play
Physical: Gross Motor – While many modern games are very technological, we like to encourage children to step away from screens and get outdoors to move their bodies. Invite children to jump, twirl, hop, skip, crawl, and climb to find their coins and repeat! Play as long as children enjoy it, as physical health and movement is an integral part of children’s overall well-being!
Social-Emotional: Empowerment – Children love scavenger hunts, as they are activities where they get to use their attention to search for something special and sparkly while also moving their bodies! When children have ample time to engage in physical activity in the fresh air, it can actually help them focus better, eat better, and sleep better. This in turn takes a lot of stress off of educators and caregivers, who often have to help children to self-regulate or redirect their behaviors.
School Readiness: Counting – This is an easy opportunity to implement counting skills. Invite children to count out how many coins they found or turn this into a communal process by inviting everyone to add theirs to a pile and count them all together. Counting in a group is a great way to invite smaller children to join in and learn their numbers while older children proudly (and even loudly) lead the way.
See this activity in the Rayz Kidz app, along with the other fun Pretend Play activities. Rayz Kidz is your trusted source for play-based activities featuring over 100 themes and 500+ hands-on activities and clear descriptions of the beautiful learning that is happening through play.
