The natural world games
Choose a game, or try a different year.
Reception
For parents and teachers
These science games bring together related learning across Reception to Year 0. Start with a familiar skill, then try the next challenge when your child is ready. A school may teach these ideas in a different order; use the curriculum statements below to choose a suitable game.
The quoted headings and statements come from the National Curriculum in England. Reception statements are early learning goals quoted from the EYFS statutory framework. Every game has its own explanation and free printable. Talk through a question together before playing independently, and use the printable to return to a tricky idea away from the screen.
Notes on each game and its curriculum statement
Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception)
Reception: Animal or plant?
The Natural World: “Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants”
Animals and plants are living things. Animals move about and find food; plants grow in one place and need light and water.
Each card shows something living you might find outside. Children sort it into Animal or Plant.
Play Animal or plant? · Free printable
Reception: The four seasons
The Natural World: “Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter”
There are four seasons in the UK: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The weather, plants and animals change with each one.
Each card shows something you might see in a season. Children sort it into the right season.
Play The four seasons · Free printable
Reception: Melt or freeze?
The Natural World: “Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter”
When things get warm, ice, chocolate and butter melt. When water gets very cold, it freezes into ice.
Each card describes something getting warmer or colder. Children decide whether it melts or freezes.