play ideas from a teacher
From a primary school teacher

5 free play cards for 2 to 6 year olds

Ten-minute play ideas using socks, leaves and a cardboard box. Each card shows how to play, what to notice, what to say and how to grow it.

Sample card: Sock Match-Up, with Try this, Notice and Say sections Sample card: Leaf Detectives real cards, print at home

What’s in the set

Five cards, five kinds of learning. All of them use things you already have.

Numbers & patternsSock Match-Up
Nature & discoveryLeaf Detectives
Building & makingCardboard Box Town
Language & storiesStory Stones
People & feelingsFeelings in the Mirror

On every card

  • Let’s play: three simple steps, about 10 minutes.
  • Notice: the learning to look for while they play.
  • Talk: words you can use that keep the play going.
  • Grow: easier and trickier versions, so it works from 2 to 6.
a note from a teacher

You don’t need more toys or a workbook. Children learn the most when they’re playing and a grown-up is nearby, noticing. These cards just make that easier on a busy day.

Print them, cut them out, and let your child pick one.

– from the primary school teacher behind Pocketful

Get your 5 free cards