100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Playful Learning

No matter what you teach, there is a 100 Ideas title for you!

The 100 Ideas series offers teachers practical, easy-to-implement strategies and activities for the classroom. Each author is an expert in their field and is passionate about sharing best practice with their peers. Each title includes at least ten additional extra-creative Bonus Ideas that won't fail to inspire and engage all learners.

Winner of 2025 Creative Play Award for Teaching Resources for 8–11-year-olds

From playful learning advocate Blair Minchin, 100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Playful Learning provides a rich toolbox of inclusive activities for using play to engage pupils in the primary classroom throughout Key Stages 1 and 2.

Sections dedicated to each major curriculum area offer a broad range of fun and flexible ideas. Discover activities such as Coding Cones, which teaches the principles of coding without using a computer, mental maths hopscotch, and Magnet Mazes to teach physics. Each of the ideas is easy to try and to adapt, and all ideas have been trialled – and enjoyed! – with pupils.

Studies have shown that engaged, playful learning can improve academic performance at all ages (not just early years) and reduce absenteeism. Use these 100 ideas to build your pupils' creativity, curiosity, and resilience whilst having plenty of fun and boosting enthusiasm in your classroom!