Your teaching fairy godmother has worked her magic again. Here are over fifty ready-made thematic units, with lesson plans, activities, and printables, all planned and prepped for you. Grab and go!
Teaching with thematic units lesson plans
> > Save time with our ready-made thematic units – choose your first one here
Thematic units are such an effective way to teach, making vital links across the curriculum and including a wide variety of engaging activities that your children will love.
Use this guide to understand why thematic units are so effective, how to build you own, and help yourself to over fifty planned-and-prepped-for-you teaching units that will save you so much time and make your teaching easier.
What is a thematic unit?
> > Save time with our ready-made thematic units – choose your first one here
A thematic unit is a programme of learning that includes a wide range of skills and activities, all linked to one central topic.
The topic of a unit can be whatever you choose, matched to your children’s interests, events that are happening in your lives, or the time of year.
A thematic unit might be delivered over five days of the week, across a term, or stretch through a school year.
The subject of a teaching unit might be a math or literacy theme such as Shapes or Storytelling. It could be seasonal, such as Halloween, Spring or Christmas. It can be varied and personal to the children you are leading: Puppets, Dragons, Dinosaurs, The Beach, Fairies, Gingerbread Men…
The thematic unit is structured to include a wide variety of subjects from the traditional curriculum within the topic: math, literacy, arts and crafts, science, gross and fine motor skills, music, role play, sensory play, science and discovery, small worlds and construction.
The different elements of the thematic unit can be taught to a whole class, offered as continuous provision, or organised into areas for small groups to rotate to though the teaching day.
The benefits of teaching thematic units
> > Save time with our ready-made thematic units – choose your first one here
Thematic units are an excellent way to teach skills and concepts because they match the way we live and work in real life.
In our adult lives, we don’t divide our work and hobbies into math, literacy, science, and geography. Everything is integrated. When we offer a curriculum of thematic units that are also integrated we’re giving our children an education that is much more relevant, realistic, and suitable for life in the real world.
Thematic units have the benefit of integrating traditional subjects in one whole programme of learning. This lets children see links and make connections.
A thematic unit also lets us offer a wide range of hands-on learning activities, so there are things that appeal to all learners. This keeps lessons engaging and encourages our children to try new things, and develop many skills.
Our children also benefit from the depth and breadth of a thematic unit. They can learn much more about a topic if they consider it from a scientific, artistic, literary, mathematical, geographical and playful point of view. Their learning will be so much more practical and robust.
For example: reading a story about a Chinese dragon might lead to looking at a map to see where China is and how far away it is. This can lead to a conversation about what food is eaten in China, which we might try. We might talk about where our families originate from and what caused them to move to where we live now. How do people get to another country? Who has visited another country and what was it like there? Then we might use craft materials to build junk model dragons, and develop our own stories which we can act out for each other.
Literacy, geography, math, sensory play, practical life skills, social studies, vocabulary development, critical thinking, ancestry, travel and tourism, conversation skills, arts and crafts, fine motor skills, scissor skills, problem solving, creativity, storytelling are all weaving into one thematic unit.
How to plan a thematic unit
> > Save time with our ready-made thematic units – choose your first one here
To plan your own thematic unit, first pick you topic. What are your children interested in? Ask them and involve them in the planning.
Over the course of the year you can include a mix of topics. You might include units that match the time of year; festivals that you are celebrating or to learn about the wider world; concepts, skills and values that you want your children to develop; and topics that reflect what’s happening in the world around you.
Once you have chosen your topic, think about the circle of ‘school subjects’ that you would want to include in your provision.
You’re likely going to want to include:
- math
- literacy
- books to read
- sensory play
- music
- role play
- gross motor skills
- fine motor skills
- science and discovery
- arts and crafts
- small world / construction
- and perhaps an outing to visit a gallery, museum or place linked to your theme
Think about all the different activities and experiences you can link to your theme, so that each area of the curriculum is reflected somehow. Be creative! Ask your children for ideas, and include unusual, hands-on activities that will delight your children.
You can deliver your thematic unit in the way that best suits your children and circumstances. Some aspects of the unit may be best delivered to the whole group, some will work better as small group work. Will you devote your whole classroom to the unit, or set aside one project corner? Can you have your whole day given over to the unit, or do you need to allow time for other core areas of your teaching? The thematic unit is completely flexible.
Typically in a school a thematic unit is taught over five days of one week, or one overarching theme is chosen for a whole(half) term. By planning a wide variety of activities now, you will have plenty of flexibility to work with your children: stay longer on aspects they love, move along from items that don’t pique their interest or engage them as long. Always leave room to add in new ideas, responding to your children and especially being sure to include their ideas in the day.
Think too about how this thematic unit will develop into a full annual curriculum. Can you plan several thematic units so that they flow from one to another, developing ideas, skills and in-depth knowledge and experiences? And always leave space in the year for a surprise, giving you the ability to add in a unit that reflects how your children’s skills and interests grow and change over the course of time.
Teaching a thematic unit alongside daily math activities, literacy activities, art projects and nature walks builds a wonderfully engaging and successful curriculum.
Want to save time and have a whole year of ready-made thematic units to choose from? Join the Play Academy and choose your first ready-made unit here.
Thematic units, all planned and prepped for you
Reclaim your Sundays! When you join the Play Academy you’ll have over fifty thematic units, all planned and prepped for you, ready and waiting for you to use.
These units cover a huge variety of topics and include all the key subjects of the school curriculum through engaging, hands-on, creative activities.
These ready-made units include printables and all are packed full of great ideas that will save you time and help you teach better. The units are fun, putting the magic back into teaching and making lessons your children will never forget.
You can use this alphabetical list to head straight to what you are looking for, or browse the images below for inspiration.
- 100 Days of School
- All About Me, Apples, Art Camp, Autumn Equinox
- Bees, Birds, Black History, Buddha Day
- Candy Canes, Caterpillars and Butterflies, Chinese New Year, Circles, Colours
- Daffodils, Day of the Dead, Dinosaurs, Diwali, Dragons
- Earth Day, Easter, Eggs, Equinox (Autumn)
- Fall, Fairies, Famous Artists, Forest School, Fractions
- Gingerbread Man
- Halloween, Hanukkah, Hundred Days of School
- Ice, International Women’s Day
- Leaves
- Matisse
- Nativity, Nature, New Year
- Play Dough, Pride Printmaking, Puppets
- Rainbows, Ramadan
- Seeds, Shapes, Seaside, Small Worlds, Snow, Solstice (Summer), Solstice (Winter), Spring, Summer Camp, Sunflowers
- Thanksgiving, Time, Trees
- Valentine’s Day
- Weather, Winter Solstice, World Book Day
A year of ready-made thematic units
Here’s a year of ready-made thematic units that you can use with your children.
Begin the school year in September with an engaging, get-to-know-you All About Me unit and run through seasonal and timeless units all the way to the end of August.
You can start using the Play Academy’s units at any time of year and do them in any order. There’s no requirement to do all the units or to follow a set order. You can follow the suggested programme or pick and choose your own.
The Play Academy is designed to perfectly suit your needs.
Browse all the units you’ll be able to choose from below or go ahead and join the Play Academy now and download your first unit here.
All About Me Unit
Start the year off with a unit that encourages your children to get to know themselves and each other. In our all-planned-for-you All About Me Unit your children can:
:: play our Get To Know You board game or use our printable conversation starters to start chatting with their classmates
:: use our Alberto Giacometti art lesson to learn about bodies
:: complete our All About Me journal page
:: make play dough faces and think about how we look
:: learn about artist Clementine Hunter and join in with a ‘draw your life’ art project.
Play Academy members can download this All About Me unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Colours Unit
In our all-planned-for-you Colours Unit your children can:
:: go on a colour hunt
:: paint a colour wheel and learn about colour theory
:: explore colours in nature
:: play with a monochrome sensory tub, collage or play dough
:: learn about warm and cool colours and create their own warm and cool art project
Play Academy members can download this All About Me unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Autumn Equinox
To celebrate the new season, in our Autumn Equinox Unit your children can:
:: learn about the equinox and what it means
:: make leaf prints
:: make a leaft wreath or crown
:: go on a sign of autumn nature walk
:: make autumn lanterns
:: and enjoy a seasonal feast
Play Academy members can download this All About Me unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Apples Unit
In our ready-made Apples Unit your children can:
:: learn about apples
:: take an apple taste test
:: compare apples and pumpkins using a Venn diagram
:: make no-bake apple cookies
:: explore printmaking and create apple print bunting.
Play Academy members can download this All About Me unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
World Space Week Thematic Unit
The first week of October is World Space Week. Use our ready-made Space Unit to learn about stars, planets and space exploration.
In these lessons plans for World Space Week your children can :
:: learn about planets
:: make planet paintings
:: learn about stars and constellations and go star gazing
:: learn about space exploration and make junk model rockets
:: create an outer space small world
Play Academy members can download this Space unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Leaves & Twigs Thematic Units
Autumn gives us such a beautiful natural landscape to explore. Use our Leaves & Twigs lesson plans to explore science, literacy, math, arts and crafts.
In this Leaves & Twigs thematic unit:
:: learn about leaves
:: make a word tree and write with twigs
:: explore leaf symmetry
:: make yarn-wrapped leaves or twigs
:: play leaf and twig math games
Play Academy members can download this Leaves & Twigs unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Small Worlds thematic units
A popular unit in our Literacy Pathway is our Small Worlds Unit. You’ll see your children using so much language, conversation and storytelling through these activities.
In this Small Worlds Unit your children can:
:: discover the magical appeal of small worlds
:: make their own small world
:: develop their imagination, play and language skills with the addition of a loose parts surprise
:: include mark making and writing in their project
:: build in junk modelling to develop their skills further
Play Academy members can download this Small Worlds unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Halloween thematic unit
Of course, October heralds the start of festival season. In our Halloween Unit your children can enjoy a whole week of learning based around pumpkins and potions. This is a fun unit with no scary elements such as ghosts, monsters or zombies.
In this Halloween thematic unit your children can:
:: make pumpkin art
:: experiment with fizzy pumpkin science
:: make magic potion smoothies, making up recipes and working with fractions/ratio
:: play Halloween literacy games
:: create a Halloween house as an art-meets-storytelling-meets-social-skills project
Play Academy members can download this Halloween unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Day of the Dead thematic unit
Teach your children about the Mexican festival of Dia de los Muertos with our Day of the Dead unit. This festival falls on November 1st/ 2nd and so can be introduced this month or taught at the beginning of next month.
In this Day of the Dead thematic unit your children can:
:: learn about the Day of the Dead and make a mini book
:: make a sugar skull collage
:: learn about their ancestors
:: use papel picardo letter cards for literacy games
:: use marigold number cards for math games.
Play Academy members can download this Day of the Dead unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Diwali thematic unit
The date of the Indian festival of lights varies from year to year, and this Diwali teaching unit is a great way to celebrate this joyful festival.
In this set of Diwali lesson plans your children can:
:: learn about Diwali
:: make Rama and Sita puppets and act out their story
:: create firework paintings or diya lanterns
:: make rangoli designs
:: explore a five senses Indian food taste test
Play Academy members can download this Diwali unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Fractions thematic units
Use this unit from the Play Academy‘s Math & Science curriculum pathway to help your children really understand fractions. Using art and play to teach math makes for engaging and memorable lessons. Hands on means brains on!
In this Fractions unit your chldren can:
:: learn about fraction and make an anchor chart jigsaw
:: enjoy a fractions pizza parlour role play
:: have a fractions tea party
:: make math and art fraction patterns
:: create a fraction mandala
Play Academy members can download this Fractions unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Thanksgiving thematic unit
Our Thanksgiving Unit can be used for Canadian and American Thanksgiving festivals or as a harvest festival celebration.
In this Thanksgiving unit your children can:
:: make marble leaves
:: preserve leaves in wax and make a thankful tree
:: make leaf bookmarks
:: make I Am Thankful placemats
:: lace leaf cards for fine motor skills
:: make play dough leaf prints
Play Academy members can download this Thanksgiving unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Hanukkah thematic unit
The date of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah varies from year to year, so this unit can be taught in November or December, as applicable.
In these Hanukkah lesson plans your children can:
:: learn about Hanukkah and make a mini book
:: play dreidel
:: make a Star of David
:: make potato latkes
:: make a Menorah
Play Academy members can download this Hanukkah unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Time thematic unit
A second unit from our Math & Science curriculum pathway, our Time Unit teaches your children about seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years and going back in time. We use hands-on activities, art and play to really help children understand these complex concepts.
In this Time thematic unit your children can:
:: explore 100 seconds
:: learn about telling the time and make a watch or clock
:: journal a day in their life
:: learn about weeks, months and years
::make a day/month spinner, art calendar or nature wheel
:: go back in time and learn about their ancestors
Play Academy members can download this Time unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
The Nativity thematic unit
Our key Christmas Unit, from the Play Academy’s Festivals curriculum pathway, is our Nativity Unit. This Unit includes artist-drawn puppets/colour-in nativity scene characters and printable Bible verse cards, that your children can use year after year.
In this Nativity teaching unit your children can:
:: learn about the Nativity and create their own Nativity book or small world scene
:: learn about Mary and Joseph’s journey, and explore junk modelling
:: learn about the shepherds role, and explore loose parts
:: learn about Jesus’ birth
:: learn about the three wise men, and complete their book / re-tell the story in their small world
Play Academy members can download this Nativity unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Candy canes thematic unit
For a secular celebration, your children will love our Candy Canes Unit.
In this unit your children can:
:: make candy cane art
:: try a candy cane science experiment
:: enjoy candy cane sensory play
:: play candy canes math games
:: make extra-delicious candy cane snacks and treats
Play Academy members can download this Candy Canes unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Winter Solstice thematic unit
For a nature-based celebration in December, use our Winter Solstice Unit.
In this solstice unit your children can:
:: learn about the Solstice and make winter lanterns
:: go on a ‘signs of winter’ nature walk
:: learn about the Northern Lights and make skyline art
:: fill your windows with suncatchers or math stars
:: make a winter play-land for storytelling and imaginative play
Play Academy members can download this Winter Solstice unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
New Year thematic unit
Round off the year with our New Year activities for children.
In this New Year Unit your children can:
:: learn about New Year celebrations and enjoy new year fizz sensory play
:: make a homemade calendar
:: complete their unique What A Year! journal page
:: make noise makers and fireworks
:: set New Year’s resolution goals
:: make a wishing wand or make a poster of their Word of the Year.
Play Academy members can download this New Year unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Ice and Snow thematic unit
From the Play Academy’s Math & Science curriculum pathway, your children can learn about the Arctic and Antarctic in our Ice & Snow thematic unit.
In this Ice & Snow Unit your children can:
:: learn about snow
:: make puffy paint, salt or tortilla snowflakes
:: learn about the Arctic and Antarctic and make a mini book
:: play with a penguin small world
:: play penguin letter games
Play Academy members can download this Ice & Snow unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Gingerbread thematic unit
For a cosy winter themed unit based, use our Gingerbread Unit. These lessons plans work perfectly alongside the traditional tale of The Gingerbread Man.
In this Unit your children can:
:: bake and taste gingerbread cookies
:: explore non-standard measuring with gingerbread men
:: make ‘first bite’ surveys and graphs
:: take part in the build-a-bridge STEM challenge
:: make 3D gingerbread houses or gingerbread men art projects
Play Academy members can download this Gingerbread unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
100 Days of School thematic unit
Round about now it will be your 100th day of school (depending on exactly when you started back in the summer/fall). Your children deserve a celebration for being 100 days cleverer! This unit also lets them play around with and truly understand the concept of one hundred.
In this unit, using active games, art, journalling, conversation, math and maps your children can:
:: find out what they can so in 100 seconds
:: explore 100s math activities
:: see if they can paint 100 colours
:: journal using our 100 writing prompts
:: have fun with 100 snacks
:: explore and talk about what is 100 miles away
Play Academy members can download this 100 Days of School unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Fairies thematic unit
One of our magic gems, and part of our Language and Storytelling curriculum pathway, our Fairies unit is a magical mix of art, imagination, making, storytelling, conversation and play.
In our Fairies Unit your children can:
:: make their own fairy
:: interview their fairy and get to know them better
:: make a house for their fairy to live in
:: create a fairy land
:: talk about magic and what people believe about it
:: make a wand or wishing tree
Play Academy members can download this Fairies unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Chinese New Year thematic unit
The lunar Chinese New Year varies its date each year and so might be taught in January or February.
In this Chinese New Year Unit your children can:
:: learn about Chinese New Year
:: make a dragon
:: make lanterns
:: play lucky 8s, count to ten in Chinese and play red envelope math games
:: explore sensory painting
:: try a mandarin sensory taste test
Play Academy members can download this Chinese New Year unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Black History Month thematic unit
February is the month Black History is remembered and celebrated. In our Black History Month Unit your children can:
:: learn about Black History Month: what it is and why it is important
:: explore identity and make multicultural faces
:: learn about Rosa Parks and make their own ‘bus book’
:: learn about the art of the Gee’s Bend Quilters and make their own quilt project
:: learn about Esther Malangu and try their own designs inspired by south African art
Play Academy members can download this Black History Month unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Valentines thematic unit
Fill your classroom with love with our range of valentine-inspired lessons and activities.
In our Valentine’s Unit your children can:
:: talk about friends and relationships
:: explore Valentine math and literacy stations
:: write about who they love
:: enjoy a Valentine sensory tub or play dough
:: bake Valentine cookies
Play Academy members can download this Valentines unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
100 Days of School thematic unit
Round about now it will be your 100th day of school (depending on exactly when you started back in the summer/fall). Your children deserve a celebration for being 100 days cleverer! This unit also lets them play around with and truly understand the concept of one hundred.
In this unit, using active games, art, journalling, conversation, math and maps your children can:
:: find out what they can do in 100 seconds
:: explore 100s math activities
:: see if they can paint 100 colours
:: journal using our ‘100’ writing prompts
:: have fun with 100 snacks
:: explore and talk about what is 100 miles away
Play Academy members can download this 100 Days of School unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Daffodils thematic unit
Spring is coming! Daffodils are often one of the first spring flowers to appear and that is worth celebrating!
In our Daffodils lesson your children can learn about these flowers through science, art and poetry.
:: dissect daffodils and learn about the parts of the plant
:: paint a still life daffodil study
:: make daffodil bunting
:: read and write daffodil poetry
:: make daffodil pinwheels or bunting
Play Academy members can download this Daffodils unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Here’s our collection of grab-and-go thematic units to teach in March.
International Women’s Day thematic unit
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th. Our International Women’s Day Unit gives you five age-appropriate lesson plans centred on celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness against bias, and taking action for equality.
In this IWD Unit all children can:
:: learn about International Women’s Day: what it is and why it’s important
:: learn about famous women scientists and try a science experiment
:: learn about artist Maria Prymachenko and try an art project
:: interview an inspiring woman they know
:: meet a girl who spoke up and changed the world
:: make their own pledge for change
Play Academy members can download this international Women’s Day unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
World Book Day thematic unit
The first Thursday in March is World Book Day, a day to celebrate books, stories and reading.
These lesson plans for World Book Day include cross-curricular activities for all your children:
:: build a book nook
:: tell stories with a storytelling tin or story spinners
:: make your own non-fiction book
:: create a story world
:: play book-themed guess who? and math games
:: make book marks
Play Academy members can download this World Book Day unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Spring Equinox thematic unit
The Spring Equinox is celebrated on March 22nd and is the perfect theme to inspire science learning, nature-art, nature journalling and connection with the planet.
In this Spring Equinox Unit your children can:
:: learn about seasons and make a mini Spring book
:: spring clean your classroom
:: make a spring wreath
:: go on a Spring nature walk
:: set up a nature table
:: enjoy a spring yoga routine
Play Academy members can download this Spring Equinox unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Birds & Eggs thematic unit
Another choice on our Nature curriculum pathway for spring is our Birds & Eggs Unit. In this unit your children can:
:: learn about eggs and make My Book of Eggs
:: go birdwatching and set up a bird investigation table
:: make a bird, egg or chick craft
:: see if they can make play dough nests
:: combine art and storytelling, making word birds or using a bird storytelling tin.
Play Academy members can download this Birds & Eggs unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Rainbows thematic unit
This Rainbow unit is great for adding colour to your spring classroom.
In this set of rainbow activities your children can:
:: learn about rainbows and take a taste test
:: develop literacy skills using rainbow similes, rainbow spelling or rainbow sensory writing
:: create rainbow tape paintings or shaving foam rainbows
:: develop skills using rainbow math games
:: complete their own rainbow journal
Play Academy members can download this Rainbows unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Ramadan thematic unit
Ramadan’s timing in relation to the Gregorian calendar changes form year to year and in 2022 it covers the whole of April. Our ramadan Unit is part of the Play Academy’s Festivals curriculum pathway and in it your children can:
:: learn about Ramadan: what it is and how it is observed
:: make Arabic-inspired paper lanterns
:: play card games using Ramadan-themed playing cards
:: create geometric Islamic art
:: make a crescent moon and stars craft
Play Academy members can download this Ramadan unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Easter thematic unit
Our Easter Unit focusses on the motifs of rabbits, lambs, chicks and eggs, giving you activities that pair well with a Christian celebration of Easter or a secular spring festival.
In this Easter unit your children can:
:: learn about Easter and make a bunny, lamb or chick craft
:: grow eggheads to represent the new life
:: investigate a bouncing egg science experiment
:: develop skills through Easter-themed math and literacy centres
:: make Easter baskets and go on an egg hunt
Play Academy members can download this Easter unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Earth Day thematic unit
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd and is an important day to learn about our place and responsibilities on our planet.
In these Earth Day lesson plans your children can:
:: learn about Earth Day and go on a themed nature walk
:: start a nature journal
:: enjoy a sit spot meditation and mindfulness activity
:: investigate seeds
:: grow a plant
Play Academy members can download this Easter unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Dragons thematic unit
Whether you are celebrating St. George’s Day on April 23rd or just love dragons, this is a great unit that explores the myths surrounding dragons, storytelling, model making, sensory play and imaginary play.
In this dragon themed unit your children can:
:: learn about dragons and make one of their own
:: make a dragon play mat
:: enjoy dragon sensory play
:: create play dough dragons
:: tell dragon stories
Play Academy members can download this Dragons unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Play Dough thematic unit
Bring more sensory learning to your classroom this month, using play to explore a range of activities that build skills through play.
In these playdough focussed activities your children can:
:: take the New Flavour Challenge and make their own play dough
:: try a play dough role play
:: make a play dough small world
:: make art with play dough
:: take the play dough construction challenge
Play Academy members can download this Playdough unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Weather thematic unit
There tends to be lots of weather in May! Whether you have spring showers or the beginning of summer sunshine, this is a great hands-on science unit.
In this Weather thematic unit your children can:
:: make weather spinners
:: learn how to identify clouds
:: create weather art
:: set up their own weather monitoring station
:: make (and broadcast) their own weather report
Play Academy members can download this Weather unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Sunflowers thematic unit
This is the first of two Sunflower Units in the Play Academy’s Nature curriculum pathway. Through the units in spring and summer your children can explore science, math, art, literacy and sustainability, all based on growing sunflowers.
In this Sunflower growing unit your children can:
:: plant sunflower seeds
:: start a sunflower journal
:: create sunflower art inspired by Van Gogh and O’Keeffe
:: make a sunflower height chart
:: write sunflower poems
Play Academy members can download this Sunflowers unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Caterpillars & Butterflies thematic unit
Our third nature-based unit of the month focusses on butterflies and caterpillars.
In this Caterpillar and Butterflies thematic unit your children can:
:: learn about caterpillars and make a caterpillar craft
:: learn about butterflies and make a butterfly book
:: make a butterfly craft
:: investigate butterfly symmetry
:: enjoy butterfly literacy activities
Play Academy members can download this Caterpillars unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Circles thematic unit
Using art, math, and physics this unit works across the curriculum to explore the theme of Circles.
In this Circle thematic unit your children can:
:: go on a shape hunt or make a circle book
:: create circle art like Kandinsky
:: explore physics and make spinning tops
:: make a mandala
:: turn circles into spheres
Play Academy members can download this Circles unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Here’s our collection of grab-and-go thematic units to teach in June, including lesson plans to teach about Pride month and the Summer Solstice, plus a fun Bee topic, and the beginning of our DIY Forest School programme.
Pride thematic unit
June marks the celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride month. This thoughtfully created Pride Unit is suitable for children of all ages. These Pride lesson plans are centred on celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride, recognising individual identity, and supporting rights for all.
In these Pride lesson plans your children can:
:: learn about Pride, how it started and why it is important, and make a mini book
:: take part in a Raise Your Hand pride celebration
:: learn about artist Gilbert Baker and the Pride flags, and make their own identity flag
:: add rainbows everywhere to build skills in math and literacy centres
:: learn about artist Keith Haring and create art inspired by him
Play Academy members can download this Pride unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Forest School thematic unit
This unit is part one of two units that you can use to host DIY forest school lessons.
In these forest school lesson plans your children can:
:: go on a forest treasure hunt
:: play forest school literacy games
:: learn about leaves and seeds
:: try forest school math activities
:: learn about forest food chains
Play Academy members can download this Forest School unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Summer Solstice thematic unit
The Summer Solstice occurs around June 21st and is a wonderful summer theme for science, math, art and sensory play.
In these Summer Solstice activities your children can:
:: learn about the sun and the solstice
:: make a sunshine weaving
:: create warm and cool art
:: play with a solstice sensory tub or sunshine play dough
:: make a sunshine mandala
Play Academy members can download this Summer Solstice unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Bees & Pollination thematic unit
In this unit your children can learn about our vital pollinators: bees.
In this Bees thematic unit your children can:
:: learn about bees and pollination
:: make a bee craft
:: play bumble bee math games
:: practice bee spellings
:: try art criticism with Henri Matisse
Play Academy members can download this Bees unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Seaside thematic unit
Whether you’re heading to the sea or want to bring the beach to your classroom/backyard, this is the perfect unit.
In this Seaside thematic unit your children can:
:: learn about the seaside
:: play seaside math and literacy games
:: enjoy seaside play dough
:: make foil fish
:: create shell art
Play Academy members can download this Seaside unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Famous Artists thematic unit
Let’s learn about famous artists this month and create our own projects inspired by them.
In these Famous Artists lesson plans your children can:
:: draw like Miro
:: sculpt like Giacometti
:: draw like Matisse
:: paint like Sobel
:: study a famous artist of their choice using our guided printables
Play Academy members can download this Famous Artists unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Printmaking thematic unit
Developing our art theme, let’s explore printmaking. This unit makes a great summer camp theme and is perfect for arty playdates. It comes with art camp invitations, stickers and certificates for all the participating young artists.
In these Printmaking activities your children can:
:: develop a printmaking practice
:: explore printing with pattern circles
:: explore mono printing
:: explore marbling
:: explore homemade stamps
:: explore printing with toys
Play Academy members can download this Printmaking unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Shapes thematic unit
Use our Shapes Unit to keep the math learning going through the summer. This unit is great as an introduction to shapes, to add enrichment to your math lessons or to consolidate math skills you have been working on through the year.
In this Shapes thematic unit your children can:
:: go shape hunting
:: make sensory shapes
:: build with shapes
:: play shape games
:: explore shape art
Play Academy members can download this Shapes unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Dinosaurs thematic unit
Dino fans, this unit is for you!
In this Dinosaur thematic unit your children can:
:: learn about dinosaurs and write about your favourite one
:: make a paper plate dinosaur
:: create a dinosaur small world
:: play dinosaur literacy games
:: have fun with dinosaur sensory play
Play Academy members can download this Dinsaurs unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Puppets thematic unit
The Play Academy’s Puppets Unit can be used to develop language and storytelling skills, to role play things your children are finding challenging, and to develop confidence and social skills.
In these Puppets activities your children can:
:: make puppets of their own and develop their characters
:: give your puppets a home
:: make props to enhance your storytelling
:: build a story with a beginning, middle and end
:: raise the curtain and perform your puppet show
Play Academy members can download this Puppets unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Art Camp thematic unit
Our Art Camp Unit gives you five process-art projects you can use to run an at-home/ in-class art camp. The Unit comes with printable invitations, stickers and certificates to hand out to all attendees.
In this Art Camp unit your children can:
:: host an art camp with printable invitations, stickers and certificates
:: explore homemade chalk paint
:: try homemade paint brushes
:: explore frozen paints
:: try flick painting
:: experiment with scrape art
Play Academy members can download this Art Camp unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Sunflowers thematic unit
This Sunflower Unit can be taught in conjunction with the first Sunflower Unit (included in our thematic units for May) or used on its own.
In this Sunflower unit your children can:
:: explore sunflower seeds
:: make sunflower seed cookies or crackers
:: make sunflower scratch art
:: explore sunflower shapes, size and symmetry
:: learn about sustainability and save or sell seeds for next year’s garden
Play Academy members can download this Sunflowers unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Forest school thematic unit
Our Forest School lesson plans can also be used to on its on or as a follow-on unit from our first Forest School lessons which were included in our May programme.
In these forest school lessons your children can:
:: learn about trees
:: explore ten things in ten minutes
:: make forest mandalas
:: enjoy campfire food
:: make clay faces
Play Academy members can download this Forest School unit with all the accompanying printables here.
Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.
Save time and teach better with our 50+ ready-made thematic units
The Play Academy is the best curriculum for teachers and parents because it’s all planned for you, works for mixed ages and abilities and children LOVE it.
Get all the benefits of thematic, project-based learning, with everything planned and ready for you, so you can grab and go!
Take a look at everything you’ll get from the Play Academy here and choose your first unit.
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