11 December 2024
Introducing transport-themed activities in an EYFS setting is a fun and interactive way to engage children while promoting learning in key areas such as communication, creativity, and early maths.
Below are some exciting transport activities for EYFS that support development and align with EYFS learning goals.
Blossom’s Recommended Transport Activities for Early Years:
1. Transport-Themed Story Time
Start by reading transport-themed books, such as The Wheels on the Bus or Terrific Trains. After reading, ask children to describe their favourite type of transport and why they like it.
This helps develop listening, speaking, and comprehension skills while introducing children to new vocabulary related to transport.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development:
- Literacy (Comprehension)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (Managing Self)
2. Vehicle Sorting and Counting Game
Provide a selection of toy vehicles (cars, buses, trains, etc.) and encourage children to sort them by type, colour, or size. You can also introduce counting by asking children to count how many vehicles are in each category.
This activity promotes early maths skills such as sorting, categorising, and counting.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development:
- Mathematics (Number, Numerical Patterns)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
3. Build a Road or Train Track
Use large cardboard, tape, or toy tracks to build a pretend road or train track. Let children design the layout, placing toy cars, trucks, and trains along the track.
This hands-on activity encourages teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, as children decide how to create the layout and navigate the vehicles.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development:
- Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (Building Relationships)
4. Transport-Themed Sensory Bin
Create a sensory bin filled with items like sand, small pebbles, or rice, and add in toy cars, trains, and planes. Children can move the vehicles through the sensory material, exploring different textures and using their imagination to create transport scenarios.
This activity encourages sensory exploration, fine motor development, and imaginative play.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development:
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
5. Transport Songs and Rhymes
Teach children transport-themed songs and rhymes, such as “The Wheels on the Bus” or “Down at the Station.”
Singing these songs helps develop rhythm, memory, and language skills, while also making learning about different modes of transport fun and engaging.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development:
- Communication and Language (Listening, Attention and Understanding)
- Expressive Arts and Design (Being Imaginative and Expressive)
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (Managing Self)
6. Transport Art and Craft
Provide materials such as coloured paper, paint, and glue for children to create their own transport vehicles. They can make paper plate cars, cardboard trains, or paper aeroplanes.
This promotes fine motor skills and creativity, while also encouraging children to explore different shapes and colours.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development:
- Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials)
- Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills)
7. Transport Role Play
Set up a roleplay area where children can pretend to be bus drivers, pilots, or train conductors. Provide props like steering wheels, hats, or tickets, and let children use their imagination to create their own transport scenarios.
This activity helps build social skills, confidence, and communication as children engage in collaborative play.
EYFS Areas of Learning and Development:
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (Managing Self)
- Communication and Language (Speaking)
- Expressive Arts and Design (Being Imaginative and Expressive)
Incorporating transport activities for EYFS into your curriculum is an exciting way to engage children while supporting key developmental areas such as literacy, numeracy, creativity, and social interaction.
These activities help children explore different modes of transport in a fun and educational way, encouraging hands-on learning and imaginative play.
For more brilliant EYFS activities, check out our Ultimate guide to EYFS activities blog post and easily cover the seven areas of learning and development!
