African Treasure Hunt
Toddlers develop global awareness through movement, repetition, and play. 'African Treasure Hunt' supports language growth and curiosity.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Around the World
- Learning area: Gross Motor
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Label countries or symbols
- Imitate movements
- Match colours/shapes
- Follow 1-step directions
Instructions
Materials
- Five large, soft fabric baskets or bins.
- Ten to fifteen plastic or wooden toy animals native to Africa (lions, elephants, giraffes).
- Brightly coloured scarves or fabric strips.
- A portable speaker to play rhythmic African drum music.
- Masking tape for marking boundaries.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate gross motor coordination by crawling or walking to retrieve objects.
- Engage in cooperative play by returning objects to a shared collection point.
- Respond to auditory cues by starting and stopping movement with music.
- Develop spatial awareness by navigating around obstacles in the room.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Clear a safe, open space in the classroom and define the perimeter using masking tape.
2. Scatter the toy animals across the floor, ensuring they are easily visible to the children.
3. Place the five baskets in the centre of the room to serve as the treasure collection site.
4. Gather the children and introduce the animals by name, modelling how to pick them up gently.
5. Start the drum music and encourage the children to move around the room to find the hidden treasures.
6. Model the action of picking up one animal and walking or crawling to place it inside a basket.
7. Use verbal encouragement such as "Find the lion" or "Bring the treasure home" to guide their movement.
8. Pause the music periodically to allow children to regroup and observe their progress.
9. Continue the activity until all animals are safely gathered in the baskets.
10. Conclude with a group cheer or a gentle rhythmic clap to celebrate the successful hunt.
Educator Tip
If children become overwhelmed by the open space, reduce the number of animals to keep the task manageable. You can also place the baskets closer to the animals to ensure early success and build confidence in their ability to complete the sequence.
Assessment
- Observe if the child successfully grasps and carries the toy to the designated basket.
- Note the child's ability to follow simple verbal directions during the movement phase.
- Record whether the child participates in the group activity alongside peers.
Assessment
Observe and note: emerging independence, two-word combinations, imitation of actions, and early pretend play. Use Development Matters non-statutory guidance checkpoints. Participation, imitation, early vocabulary attempts.