Theme print quick pack
Dinosaur Week
Excellent for kids who want big pretend roles and lots of movement.
Print quick pack
Theme handoff links
Matching weeks
- - Dinosaur Discovery Week: starts 2026-06-22
- - Dinosaur Discovery Week: starts 2026-08-10
Materials
- chalk
- clear tub of water
- cones or toys
- cushions or stepping stones
- leaf
- sponge
- spoon
- toy block
Safety reminders
- Check the play surface for slips, sharp objects, or hot equipment first.
- Supervise water play closely and dry spills quickly.
Activity handoff cards
Theme quick start
Backyard Obstacle Quest
- Supervision
- medium supervision
- Safety
- Check the play surface for slips, sharp objects, or hot equipment first.
- Duration
- 25 min
- Materials
- cones or toys, chalk, +1 more
- Try first
- Start small: Mark a start and finish line with chalk or cones. One clear start is enough.
Safety notes
- - Check the play surface for slips, sharp objects, or hot equipment first.
Materials
- - cones or toys
- - chalk
- - cushions or stepping stones
Simple setup
Put materials within reach, read the safety notes, and start with the first two steps.
Ready to start when materials are in one place, the first step is clear, and safety notes have been read.
Mission fit
Best fit when kids need movement, a clear play space, and balance.
Heat and hydration
Set water nearby, choose a shaded reset spot, and pause sooner if the activity feels too hot or tiring.
Pause and resume
Pause after step 2 and keep materials together in one visible spot.
Restart by rereading the next step, then finish one small piece before adding anything new.
Safe material swaps
- cones or toys: rolled towels, soft toys, or shoes as markers
- chalk: painter tape or paper signs
- cushions or stepping stones: pillows, folded towels, or taped floor spots
If cones or toys is missing, use rolled towels, soft toys, or shoes as markers; keep all safety notes and setup steps unchanged.
Simplify this activity
Simplify by doing the first two steps, celebrating one finished piece, and keeping cleanup the same.
Comfort prep
- Messy setup
- Stage supplies on a tray, towel, or washable surface and keep a cleanup spot ready.
- Water reset
- Put towels or a dry change nearby before starting so the handoff stays calm afterward.
- Sound level
- Name a quiet signal before the game starts and offer a calmer role if voices get big.
Age-flex cues
- Younger helpers
- Offer one tiny job: choose the chalk or try the first step together.
- Standard mission
- Run the activity as written, starting with: Mark a start and finish line with chalk or cones.
- Older explorers
- Invite them to lead setup, explain the rule, or add one creative round after the main steps.
Helper roles
Setup helper
Place the first supplies or point to the starting spot while the adult checks safety.
Little helpers can point or choose; bigger helpers can read the first step.
Materials helper
Hand out one item at a time and help return extras to the prep pile.
Little helpers can choose a supply; bigger helpers can check what is left.
Movement helper
Demonstrate one slow practice move before everyone tries the active version.
Little helpers can try the slow version; bigger helpers can model space and patience.
Cooldown prompts
- Pool cooldown
- Adult must actively supervise at all times. Dry off, offer water, and shift to a calm seated job before leaving the pool area.
- Movement cooldown
- End with slower steps, water, and one quiet job before switching activities.
Tiny win closing cues
- Notice
- I noticed you tried balance in your own way.
- Share
- Ask: what part should we remember for next time?
- Reset
- Name one strong body choice after water, slower steps, and a clear path.
Gentle first step
Start small: Mark a start and finish line with chalk or cones. One clear start is enough.
Cleanup reset
Reset after: gather outdoor pieces into one pile, offer water, and clear the play path before moving on.
Theme quick start
Sink or Float Detectives
- Supervision
- medium supervision
- Safety
- Supervise water play closely and dry spills quickly.
- Duration
- 25 min
- Materials
- clear tub of water, spoon, +3 more
- Try first
- Start small: Gather five simple objects and place them beside a water tub. One clear start is e...
Safety notes
- - Supervise water play closely and dry spills quickly.
Materials
- - clear tub of water
- - spoon
- - sponge
- - toy block
- - leaf
Prep first
Gather materials before inviting kids in, then keep the safety notes visible while you start.
Ready to start when materials are in one place, the first step is clear, and safety notes have been read.
Mission fit
Best fit for a flexible 25-minute block with high setup and prediction.
Pause and resume
Pause after step 2 and keep materials together in one visible spot.
Restart by rereading the next step, then finish one small piece before adding anything new.
Safe material swaps
- spoon: any dry, washable household object that is safe to test
- sponge: any dry, washable household object that is safe to test
- toy block: any dry, washable household object that is safe to test
If spoon is missing, use any dry, washable household object that is safe to test; keep all safety notes and setup steps unchanged.
Comfort prep
- Messy setup
- Stage supplies on a tray, towel, or washable surface and keep a cleanup spot ready.
- Water reset
- Put towels or a dry change nearby before starting so the handoff stays calm afterward.
Age-flex cues
- Younger helpers
- Let little helpers watch first, choose a color or soft item, and keep all safety steps with the grown-up.
- Standard mission
- Run the activity as written, starting with: Gather five simple objects and place them beside a water tub.
- Older explorers
- Invite them to lead setup, explain the rule, or add one creative round after the main steps.
Helper roles
Setup helper
Place the first supplies or point to the starting spot while the adult checks safety.
Little helpers can point or choose; bigger helpers can read the first step.
Materials helper
Hand out one item at a time and help return extras to the prep pile.
Little helpers can carry one safe item; bigger helpers can sort the supply pile.
Reset helper
Choose the first cleanup step or help guide the group back to a calmer pace.
Little helpers can choose the first reset item; bigger helpers can help tidy the space.
Cooldown prompts
- Pool cooldown
- Adult must actively supervise at all times. Dry off, offer water, and shift to a calm seated job before leaving the pool area.
Tiny win closing cues
- Notice
- I noticed you tried prediction in your own way.
- Share
- Ask: what part should we remember for next time?
- Reset
- Name one helpful choice while materials go back to one cleanup spot.
Gentle first step
Start small: Gather five simple objects and place them beside a water tub. One clear start is enough.
Cleanup reset
Reset after: sort materials into keep, reuse, and trash piles before starting the next activity.