Hula Hoop Harvest Game
Supports agricultural awareness, STEM integration, literacy, and social-emotional development at the IPC Level 1 stage.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS At the Farm
- Learning area: Gross Motor
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Developmentally appropriate objectives aligned to IPC Level 1 for Hula Hoop Harvest Game.
Materials
- Level-appropriate farm-themed materials and manipulatives.
Instructions
Materials
- Five plastic hula hoops in assorted colours.
- Twenty plastic or plush toy vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and corn.
- Five small wicker baskets or plastic crates.
- Masking tape for marking start lines.
- A farm-themed music playlist.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate improved balance and coordination while moving between hoops.
- Practise sorting objects by category or colour during the harvest process.
- Follow multi-step directions in a group setting.
- Develop spatial awareness by navigating around obstacles.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Arrange the five hula hoops on the floor in a scattered pattern to represent garden plots.
2. Place a variety of toy vegetables inside each hoop.
3. Place one empty basket at the end of the room to serve as the collection point.
4. Gather the children at the start line and explain that they are farmers who must harvest the crops.
5. Model the movement for the children by walking to a hoop, picking up one vegetable, and carrying it to the basket.
6. Encourage children to move in different ways, such as hopping, crawling, or walking on tiptoes, as they travel to the hoops.
7. Instruct children to take turns so that only two or three students are in the garden area at once to ensure safety.
8. Play farm-themed music while children work to keep the energy level high and the pace steady.
9. Once all vegetables are collected, lead a brief group discussion about the different types of vegetables found.
10. Allow children to help reset the game by placing the vegetables back into the hoops for a second round.
Educator Tip
To support children who need extra help, place the hoops closer together or allow them to carry the vegetables in a small bag. For children who need a challenge, ask them to collect only specific colours or types of vegetables during their turn.
Assessment
- Observe if the child can successfully pick up an object and place it in the basket without dropping it.
- Note the child's ability to navigate around the hoops without tripping or bumping into peers.
- Record whether the child follows the sequence of moving to the hoop, retrieving an item, and returning to the collection point.
Educator tip
Guided questioning to encourage language, reasoning, and participation. Differentiate for ability levels; incorporate sensory supports; ensure safety.
Assessment
Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Observation checklist or rubric aligned to developmental stage.