All Activities
Physical Education

Follow the Leader

Overview

Children follow a leader and copy their movements around a space.

Learning Objective
Children copy movements and develop body awareness and coordination.

Resources needed

  • Open space

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Choose one child or the teacher as the leader.
  2. 2 Everyone moves around the space copying the leader.
  3. 3 Leader changes movement (walk, hop, skip, crawl).
  4. 4 Call 'change!' and a new leader takes over.
  5. 5 Repeat with different children leading.
  6. 6 Try slow and fast movements.
  7. 7 Cool down by walking slowly and stopping.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Leaders move in different directions.
  • Add an animal movement theme (frog jumps, bear walks).
  • Play in pairs instead of whole class.
More information

Demonstrate each movement before naming it. Use simple commands: stop, go, fast, slow.

Children with limited mobility can lead from a seated position using arm movements.

Can children copy movements accurately? Do they watch the leader and respond quickly to changes?

No equipment needed. Any open space works — classroom with desks moved, a field, or a corridor.

Children sometimes watch their feet instead of the leader. Remind them to keep their eyes up.

Builds listening skills and spatial awareness alongside physical coordination.

Activity details
Early Years Easy 10–15 minutes no prep Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Movement Coordination Listening