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A player runs between some cones.
Session

Play Phase session: volcanoes and craters

Looking for a fun activity for kids aged 4-6? Try volcanoes and craters. You'll need some cones and a group of players to get started.

This session will help players:  

  • develop their movement skills
  • become aware of their positioning and the space around them
  • enhance communication and teamwork skills.

If you like this idea, download the session plan and give it a go. And don’t forget to share your experience on the England Football Community. We’d love to know how you got on. 

 

Volcanoes and craters is an 'open loop game', which means it's non-stop and ends when you want it to.


It is simple to set up. You only need a group of players, bibs and brightly coloured cones to mark out an area.

 

Mark out a large area. Inside the area, spread out lots of cones. Some should be facing up, like a volcano, and some facing down, like a crater. Divide the children into two teams. One team should represent the volcanoes, and the other should represent the craters.

When you shout 'freeze,' the children stop. The number of volcanoes and crater cones are counted. The team with the most wins.

Encourage the children to move around the area with a ball when appropriate. They could carry, bounce, or dribble the ball.

Mark out a large area. Spread out cones, some facing up and some facing down. Divide the children into two teams. The volcanoes aim to flip the cones facing up. The craters aim to flip the cones facing down. Shout, 'freeze', and count the number of cones to decide the winner.
Mark out a large area. Spread out cones, some facing up and some facing down. Divide the children into two teams. The volcanoes aim to flip the cones facing up. The craters aim to flip the cones facing down. Shout, 'freeze', and count the number of cones to decide the winner.

Coaching activity

Watch this video to see the activity in action. 

Imaginative play – add a little imagination

Ask the children to create a story – what could the cones represent instead of volcanoes and craters?

 

Object play – introduce equipment

Introduce footballs to move around with or hurdles to jump over while they are playing.

Social play – bring everyone together

Ask the children to come up with ideas as a team that may help them win the game.

Remember to give it a football focus. Can they dribble the ball around the area while playing, stopping it when they reach each cone?

Want to get more from the game? Use our idea generator to increase the returns for your players.