Play Makes
Sense

Supporting you and your child to learn together through sensory play
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Simple, meaningful, enagaging

Activities that are simple to set up, but meaningful and engaging for your child
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No fancy equipment needed

Use items you already have to play and learn with your child
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Learn and play together

Meaningful learning opportunities that your child will remember
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Phonics Activity Cards

Phonics Phase 1 activity cards, aimed at teaching EYFS children phonics skills to support learning to read and write
Phase 1
Phonics Phase 2 activity cards, aimed at teaching EYFS children phonics skills to support learning to read and write
Phase 2
Phase 3 Phonics Cards
Phase 3
Phonics Phase 4 activity cards, aimed at teaching EYFS children phonics skills to support learning to read and write
Phase 4
Phonics Phase 5 activity cards, aimed at teaching EYFS children phonics skills to support learning to read and write
Phase 5
Phase 6 Phonics Activity Cards
Phase 6

Maths Activity Cards

A red box of preschool number cards on a white background. Three cards are appearing from the box, showing maths activities.
Preschool Number
A yellow box of Reception number cards on a whilte background. Three cards are appearing from the box showing a selection of maths activities.
Reception Number
Preschool Shape, Measure and Pattern
Reception Shape, Measure and Pattern
Year 1 Number
Year 1 Shape, Measure and Pattern

Digital Activity Packs

Phonics Activity Packs - Play Makes Sense
Digital Phonics Activity Packs
Digital Maths Activity Packs - Play Makes Sense
Digital Maths Activity Packs

Maths

Everything you need to know about maths. Learn about number, shape, measure and pattern.
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Five rubber ducks floating in a tray filled with water, demonstrating an activity to promote physical development in children

The Importance of Number Rhymes

Number rhymes are a brilliant tool to help your child develop number sense in a fun and low pressured way. Take a look at the list of our favourite number rhymes to sing to your child.
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A piece of card divided into four squares. There is a die in the first square with 5 dots. A numeral 5 is in the second square. An array of five dots is in the third square and five raisins are in the fourth square.

Number Sense

Learn about number sense and why it is a vital skill to help your child excel in maths. Try out these five everyday activities to help your child develop number sense.
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A child opening the Preschool Number Activity Cards to pick an activity to learn through play while enhancing their physical development

Maths Terminology

Even early maths can be full of tricky terminology. Take a look at our comprehensive terminology list which explains terms in simple, clear language.
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Phonics

Everything you need to know about phonics. Find out what it is, how many sounds there are and how you can help your child learn.
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CVC Words Game

CVC Words

CVC words are single syllable words which contain three sounds - a consonant sound, then a vowel sound, then a consonant sound. Try these CVC words games to practise reading and writing CVC words with your child.
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Three packs of Play Makes Sense Phonics Activity Cards on a child's desk. Next to the cards is a box of writing equipment.

Validated Systematic Synthetic Phonics Programs

A list of government validated systematic synthetic phonics programs taught in UK schools. Find out how each program correlates to Play Makes Sense Phonics Activity Cards.
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Play Makes Sense Phonics Activity Cards on a chair

Phonics Terminology

Phonics is full of confusing terminology. Find out what each term means here.
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Play Makes Sense Activity Cards

Sound Pronunciation

Pronouncing each sound correctly will help your child when it comes to blending and segmenting. Find out how to pronounce each sound correctly with these helpful videos.
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How to Introduce a New Sound

How to Introduce a New Sound

Take a look at our simple, four step guide to find out how to introduce a new sound.
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Guest Blogs

A selection of guest blogs from some incredible small businesses.
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Child and parent reading a letter

The Importance of Magic and Make Believe from International Elf Service

The Importance of Magic and Make Believe from International Elf Service

International Elf Service

International Elf Service is a spirited and determined female led small business that inspires children through the joy of reading, creative thinking, screen-free learning and audiobooks, family togetherness, kindness and a love for their planet and each other. 

They combine brilliantly unique, original storytelling with independent, cross-curricular learning about our incredible world. They do this via beautiful personalised letters and fantastical chronicles sent from Magical Places (some familiar and some less so) … for children to discover mysteriously around their home. 

Their mission is to share the excitement of Childhood Magic, Wizards & Wonders, Christmas Elves, Fairies and other captivating characters through magical stories that open up conversations, support children’s emotional growth and educational development, and strengthen their sense of mental health and self-esteem.

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Pretend Play Toy Kitchen

Support Speech and Language Development During Pretend Play

Pretend play is not only fun for your little one but also a great time to build their speech and language skills! Try these five research backed and parent approved tips you can use when playing with your little that supports their speech and language development. Written by Kelly from Bridging Child Development.
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Schematic Play and Music

Schematic Play and Music

In this guest blog, Boogie Mites explore how music can be used to support and enhance schematic play both at home and in early years settings.
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Complete Play Makes Sense Phonics Activity Cards Bundle. Buy together and save

The complete collection of our phonics activity cards. This amazing bundle contains everything you need to support your child on their phonics journey.

Complete Phonics Bundle

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Do you have a child in Year 1 or Year 2? This bundle contains everything you need to support your child with reading and writing throughout Key Stage 1.

Key Stage 1 Bundle

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Key stage one Phonics bundle - buy together and save

Sensory Play

Discover the incredible benefits of learning through sensory play
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Play Makes Sense Sensory Play Phonics Activity Cards on a shelf with jars. The jars are filled with sensory play resources such as chickpeas, stones, conkers and shells.

Sensory Play

What is sensory play and how is it beneficial? Find out how Play Makes Sense teaches phonics through sensory play.
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Resources

Equipment lists, certificates and information. Everything you need to know to start playing and learning with your child.
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Two children jumping practicing gross motor skills development

Get Active - Gross Motor Activity for Kids

Support your child's gross motor skills development with the free Get Active printable. The Get Active printable is the perfect gross motor game for children aged three to seven. Print of the activity sheet, get outside and get active!
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3D Shape Hunt Game

3D Shape Hunt and Days of the Week Game

Ideas for teaching 3D shapes and the days of the week. Easy and simple hands on activities to practise these maths skills. Explore shapes and sequencing with these free printable activities. Perfect for children aged 3 - 7 years old, in Preschool, Reception and Year 1.
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Mud kitchen recipe with a mud pie.

Free Mud Kitchen Recipes

These mud kitchen play ideas will get your child outside, learning and having fun. Not only will your child love following these mud kitchen recipes, they will be practising a whole range of phonics skills too! 
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How long can my child stay focused for? A list of ages and the average length of time a child can concentrate for.

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Testimonials

Fantastic cards, so easy to use and really engaging. My daughter loves doing all the activities and I’m so happy to have go to activities which are simple and quick to set up.

Fab ideas! Really helpful to have these thoughtful activity ideas in one place. Kids are really enjoying them!

Absolutely fantastic! I could not recommend these beautiful cards enough! If you’re at home, teaching or running interventions these are a wonderful resource!

We love our Phase One cards. We’ve already set up some of the activities - easy to set up, using household items, and simple enough to hold the attention of my nearly three-year-old.

Genius. I have been using these with my daughter and we both love them. Easy simple and creative!!!! Such a great learning through play tool. Would highly recommend

Play Makes Sense
Phonics Games, Maths Games, Outdoor Games