In primary schools, Foundation Stage PE is where children’s physical education journey begins, and it’s one of the most important stages for getting things right. High-quality PE for EYFS pupils helps them develop the core movement skills, body awareness, and confidence they need to succeed in PE and the classroom.
We believe Foundation PE should be fun, purposeful, and easy to teach at The PE Hub. Below, we look at why Reception PE matters and share some simple games and activities to help you get started.
Why Foundation PE Matters
For children in Reception and early years, PE lessons shouldn’t just be about running around; they should be about exploring movement in ways that develop mobility, balance, coordination, and confidence.
Foundation PE introduces young pupils to basic skills like balancing on one foot, moving safely in a space, stopping and starting on command, and working with others. These skills are the building blocks for future sports and fitness, but they also support wider school readiness, from focus in class to positive social skills.
Fun Foundation Stage PE Games and Activities
Foundation Stage PE should feel like play, with plenty of variety to keep young children engaged. Here are some simple EYFS PE games you can try in your next lesson:
Hills and Ponds
- Spread out enough button cones (Hills) and hoops (Ponds) so there’s one for each child (e.g. 15 of each for a class of 30).
- Children move around the space, weaving in and out of the cones and hoops.
- Change the way they travel to warm up their bodies - for example: big steps, tiptoes, or side steps.
- When the music stops or you shake a tambourine, children must quickly find the nearest Hill or Pond.
- If they go to a Hill (cone), they jump over it.
- If they go to a Pond (hoop), they jump in and out.
- All jumps should be two feet to two feet.
Number Islands
Place hoops or mats around the space to act as "islands" for the children to move between.
How to Play:
- Children move freely around the area using different ways of travelling, such as jogging, sidestepping, or bunny hopping.
- Keep them moving for 5–8 minutes to help raise their heart rate.
- Ask them: Can you feel your heart beating? Can you count how many beats in 20 seconds?
Teacher Instruction:
- While moving call out a number (e.g. 3). Children must quickly group themselves into that number and stand together on one of the mats or spots.
- Start with smaller numbers (e.g. 2 or 3) and increase as the children become more confident.
- Any child who doesn’t find a group performs that number of star jumps (e.g. if the group was 3, they do 3 star jumps).
Extension: Once in their group, ask children to hold a simple balance together - such as a tuck, a one-foot balance, etc.
Make PE for Foundation Stage Part of School Life
When schools prioritise Foundation Stage PE, they give children the best start, helping them develop healthy habits, physical skills, and confidence that last a lifetime.
At The PE Hub, our Reception resources are designed to make this easy for teachers. They include clear plans, videos, and engaging activities that bring early years PE to life. You can access some free lessons here and see for yourself!