Goals for the session

Children should practise reading a simple map, moving carefully over uneven ground, and making group decisions. Adventure activities also give children a chance to manage small, supervised risks, which builds judgement.

Specialist activities such as rock climbing, kayaking or high ropes need qualified instructors and proper equipment. Use them through an accredited provider, and keep the school-run workshop to activities adults can supervise confidently.

Sample session plan: school grounds orienteering (60 minutes)

Ages 8-12, up to 24 children in groups of three. Materials: a hand-drawn map of the grounds per group, eight control markers with a letter on each, clipboards, pencils, a whistle, a first aid kit.

• Warm-up (10 min): 'north, south, east, west' game. Children run to the side of the field you call, then learn to turn the map to match what they see.

• Briefing (5 min): boundaries, the whistle signal to return, and the rule that groups stay together.

• Main activity (30 min): groups find the eight markers in any order and write down each letter. The letters spell a word.

• Balance challenge (5 min): walk a low bench or a rope laid on the ground without stepping off.

• Cool-down and review (10 min): gentle stretches, then each group traces its route on the map and says what they would do differently.

Safety notes and what children take away

Walk the site beforehand and remove markers from risky spots such as car parks, gates and water. Set clear boundaries, keep an adult at a central point, and count children out and back in. Check the weather, sun protection and footwear. For any climbing, keep feet no higher than the adult's shoulder height, and use proper matting under play equipment.

Adapt for age by changing the map. For ages 6-7, use a photo trail with pictures of places around the grounds and keep all markers within sight of an adult. For ages 11-12, add a timed element, compass directions and a rule that each child takes a turn as navigator.

Children take away the ability to hold a map the right way round, to talk through a route as a group and to notice hazards for themselves. Ask each group to name one risk they spotted and how they avoided it. This conversation is often the most useful part of the session.

Key points

• Start with maps, balance and teamwork in familiar grounds.

• Use accredited providers for specialist activities.

• Walk the site first and set firm boundaries.

• Count children out and back in every time.

Ready-made resources

Printable session plans and materials for this topic are available from EduTrend Contents: G4C-140 Move & Play Games.

Photos: Kris Tian, Anna Khromova / Unsplash