KS1 is a great time for children to learn, with plenty of scope to grow their knowledge and develop abilities that will stay with them long after they leave school. This is a very important stage of education, but it can also be challenging for children to get to grips with new concepts, especially in subjects like maths. The key to successful learning at this age is introducing fun activities that can help motivate young pupils and keep them engaged in the classroom, with games being an effective way to do this.
One of the best things about games is that they can be played by children of all ages and backgrounds, making them a perfect addition to lessons for KS1 pupils. From simple board key stage 1 games to interactive digital activities, there are plenty of ways to support learning in KS1 with these games.
A classic game that is a great choice for KS1 pupils to play is tug-of-war. This simple yet competitive game helps to encourage teamwork and can be played by as many players as you have available. It is also a good choice for a PE lesson as it can be played in the yard or playground and helps to improve balance and agility for children.
Another good game to play with KS1 children is hopscotch. This is a classic game that can be drawn on the floor with numbered squares, and then players simply have to follow the hopping pattern, skipping over the numbers they are supposed to jump over. This is a great game for developing balance and agility and can be enjoyed by both girls and boys.
There are a range of interactive KS1 computer games that can be used to support children’s maths, English, science and R.E. lessons in the classroom or at home. These interactive games are ideal for use with an interactive whiteboard and will help to engage children in their learning. The Curious Dog Fair Sharers game is an example of a simple but fun KS1 game that helps to teach children how to share things fairly, a skill that they will need throughout their lives.
Twinkl has a huge collection of KS1 games that cover a huge variety of topics, including phonics games, maths games and English games, as well as seasonal games. All of these games are teacher-made and designed by our talented team of designers. They are super useful and engaging for working on key areas of the curriculum and can be downloaded straight to your interactive whiteboard, Mac or PC. Try them out today and see how they can enhance your teaching!