Jungle Safari
Try to find all the hidden treasures whilst exploring the jungle! This activity sparks creative thinking and is great for getting children moving about.
Set up
Hide toys, balls, and/or beanbags around the room, in easy-to-access places, low to the ground (such as under a chair, behind toy boxes). Have a basket/box somewhere accessible to be the treasure chest.
How to play
Step 1
- Start the safari by asking your child what they’re searching for
- Talk about what ‘jungle’ things you see around the room (e.g., tables are mountains, chairs are waterfalls)
Step 2
- Begin the safari, encouraging your child to look in, around and under things.
- Prompt them to crawl, hop, and balance
Step 3
- Once your child finds a treasure, they take it back to the treasure chest
- Continue the safari until all the toys have been collected
Variations
Make it easier
- Place toys in obvious places
- Put toys in easy-to-reach places
- Let your child hide toys for them-self
Make it harder
- Hide toys under cushions, behind books, or up high
- Introduce a challenge - such as a tiger running through the jungle that we have to sneak away from!
Activity information
Age: 2-3 years, 3-5 years
Equipment: Plush teddy or toy, Beanbags, Variety of objects
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching
Encourage your child to walk, crawl, balance and reach whilst on their safari. Remember to go over the cues for balancing before beginning:
- Head up
- Aeroplane arms
- Eyes forward looking at something ahead of them e.g. tree
Physical literacy tips
- Have your child hide toys for you to find
- Play along to the story of a jungle safari, engaging your child
