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Activities for 4-5 year olds

A collection of activities and things to do with children aged 4-5 years old. Your child may be able to take turns in conversations, use more complicated language, and enjoy playing with friends.

Where to start - advice for 4-5 year olds

Tools for Talking: Exploring word sounds

Help grow your child's understanding of language by playing with rhyme and sounding out words.

4-5 YEARS

Not sure what activity to try?

Answer a few questions and we'll pick you out an activity to try with your little one.

4-5 YEARS

What is phonological awareness?

Early years practitioner Jamel shares his top tips for developing your child's phonological awareness.

TIPS AND ADVICE

4-5 years: How can rhyming words help children learn?

Dr Saloni Krishnan investigates how rhyming helps children to build their vocabulary.

PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

Phonological awareness activities

Sound sorting box

This activity will help your child recognise and practise the different starting sounds of words.

4-5 YEARS

Playing hopscotch

Hopscotch helps children to manage body rhythm, master body control and boost their language and numeracy skills.

4-5 YEARS

Go on a sound treasure hunt

Challenge your child's phonic awareness with this fun activity.

4-5 YEARS

Spot the odd one out

Odd one out games help your child develop vocabulary, letter sounds and rhyming skills.

4-5 YEARS

Play this fun rhyming game anywhere

This fun activity will help you introduce rhyming words into your everyday routine with your child.

4-5 YEARS

Playing I spy

Playing a game of 'I spy' is a fun way to explore new words with your child.

4-5 YEARS

Games to help emotional development

Playing the face game

This fun game will help your child effectively manage their feelings and emotions.

4-5 YEARS

Sharing with toys

Help your child learn to share and co-operate with this easy pretend play activity.

4-5 YEARS

Making a feelings tree

This is simple activity helps your child talk about the different emotions they may be feeling and why.

4-5 YEARS

Activities for 4-5 year olds: All day chat

Taking a trip to the toilet

We have some great tips to help you help your child go to the toilet with confidence.

4-5 YEARS

Getting out in nature with your kids

It's important for kids to connect with nature and the world around them, so go and explore with this fun activity.

4-5 YEARS

Can we make tidying fun?

Make tidying fun by chatting as you build a den.

4-5 YEARS

What can we play on the way?

Encourage your child to use their imagination and make up games.

4-5 YEARS

What's in my shopping bag?

Chat while you unpack your shopping and help build your child's conversation skills.

4-5 YEARS

Activities for 4-5 year olds: Playtime games

Red Light, Green Light

This fun traffic light game with Rangers Soccer Academy can help develop motor, listening and language skills.

4-5 YEARS

Singing action songs

Action songs are not just good fun, they help children learn the words more quickly.

4-5 YEARS

Building an obstacle course

Obstacle courses are great for learning teamwork and problem-solving skills.

4-5 YEARS

Drumming games

Drumming games are great for children to learn about rhythm.

4-5 years

Passing a ball

Simple ball games can help your child learn to take turns and learn words for describing actions.

4-5 YEARS

Putting things in order

Sorting objects in a row is a great way to develop your child's ability to organise.

4-5 YEARS

Over and under

Try playing this game with your child and use position words such as 'over' and 'under'.

4-5 YEARS

Throwing game

Playing a throwing game with different targets helps to boost your child's concentration and focus.

4-5 YEARS

Activities for 4-5 year olds: Build their imagination

Have a teddy picnic

Throw a teddy bear's picnic and you'll help boost your child's imagination

4-5 YEARS

Enjoy storytime

Why making up stories is a great way to start a conversation with your child.

4-5 YEARS

Sound effects story

Adding sound effects to a story is a great way for your child to link words and sounds.

4-5 YEARS

Changing nursery rhyme words

Make up your own nursery rhymes by changing the words to classic tunes!

4-5 YEARS

Activities for 4-5 year olds: Getting crafty

What can we make from junk?

How to have lots of creative fun with recycling.

4-5 YEARS

Drawing fun

How drawing and talking about their artwork is great for your child's conversation skills.

4-5 YEARS

Make a mini garden

Try making a mini garden (on a plate!) using items you can collect from your garden or local park.

4-5 YEARS

Paper planes

Making and flying paper planes together is a fun way to boost your child's conversation skills.

4-5 YEARS

Making toys

Making toys out of household objects is a fantastic way to boost your child's imagination.

4-5 YEARS

Making a puzzle

Making a puzzle together is a creative way to help develop your child's coordination skills.

4-5 YEARS

Tips for 4-5 years

Making up your own nursery rhymes

Dr Jamie Lingwood on the ways making up rhymes can help children to learn.

4-5 YEARS

Exploring sounds at storytime

Early language researcher Dr Jamie Lingwood talks about getting expressive at storytime.

4-5 YEARS

Is your child younger or older?

3-4 years

Starting primary school

Find an activity to try

Tips and advice

Child development science