Welsh Playground Games for Kids: 10 Easy Games & Printables

Prydain Learning Hub

Welsh Playground Games for Kids: 10 Easy Games with Rules, Welsh Phrases & Free Printables

Looking for Welsh playground games to help children have fun while learning Welsh? Discover 10 easy games with step-by-step rules, useful Welsh phrases, English translations and free printable activity cards.

Ages 3–11 Reception & KS1 KS2 Criw Cymraeg Free A4 Printables

Explore the Games

Learning Welsh does not have to mean sitting at a desk. Simple playground games help children practise numbers, colours, directions and everyday Welsh vocabulary through movement and repetition.

These activities are suitable for Welsh learners in English-medium schools, Welsh-medium settings, family play and Criw Cymraeg groups. Many can be adapted for indoor lessons or rainy days.

A note about traditions: This collection combines familiar playground games played in Welsh with activities adapted specifically for Welsh-language practice. Not all of the games originated in Wales.

What Are Welsh Playground Games?

Playground games are often called gemau buarth in Welsh. They can help pupils become more confident using simple phrases in natural, enjoyable situations.

Games are particularly useful for teaching Welsh because pupils hear and repeat the same vocabulary, respond to spoken instructions and learn from other children.

You do not need to speak fluent Welsh to begin. Start with one or two phrases, demonstrate the actions and introduce additional vocabulary once the children feel confident.

Jump to a game:

10 Fun Welsh Playground Games for Children

Below are ten games with easy-to-follow rules. Each activity includes age guidance, equipment requirements, Welsh phrases and teaching tips.

Game 1

Faint o'r Gloch, Mr Blaidd? (What's the Time, Mr Wolf?)

Ages: 5–11 | Players: 5+ | Equipment: None

This popular chasing game is an excellent way to practise Welsh numbers and telling the time.

How to Play

1. Choose one child to be Mr Blaidd (Mr Wolf).
2. The wolf stands at one end of the playground, facing away.
3. The other children stand at the opposite end.
4. They ask the wolf what time it is.
5. The wolf answers with an hour, such as three o'clock.
6. Everyone takes the corresponding number of steps forward.
7. Eventually the wolf shouts "Amser cinio!" (Dinner time!) and attempts to tag a child as everyone runs back.
8. Choose a new wolf and repeat.

Welsh phrases:

Faint o'r gloch ydy hi, Mr Blaidd?

What time is it, Mr Wolf?

Mae hi'n dri o'r gloch.

It is three o'clock.

Amser cinio!

Dinner time!

Teaching tip: Begin with numbers one to five before introducing larger numbers. For younger pupils, use walking rather than running.

Game 2

Hwyaden, Hwyaden, Gŵydd (Duck, Duck, Goose)

Ages: 4–9 | Players: 6+ | Equipment: None

A simple circle game that helps children practise Welsh animal vocabulary and listening skills.

How to Play

1. Children sit in a large circle.
2. One child walks around the outside.
3. They gently tap each child's shoulder, saying "Hwyaden".
4. Eventually they choose someone and say "Gŵydd".
5. The selected child stands and follows the walker around the circle.
6. The walker attempts to reach the empty space first.
7. The selected child becomes the next walker.

Welsh phrases:

Hwyaden!

Duck!

Gŵydd!

Goose!

Dy dro di!

Your turn!

Teaching tip: Try replacing animal words with other vocabulary categories, such as colours or numbers.

Game 3

Gêm y Corneli (Four Corners)

Ages: 5–11 | Players: 5+ | Equipment: Four coloured signs

Four Corners is an energetic movement activity for reinforcing colours, numbers and instructions.

How to Play

1. Choose four corners in a safe play area.
2. Give every corner a number or colour.
3. Choose a leader to call out a corner in Welsh.
4. Children move to the correct corner.
5. Change the instructions after each round.
6. Allow children to take turns becoming the leader.

Welsh phrases:

Ewch i'r gornel goch!

Go to the red corner!

Pa liw?

What colour?

Un, dau, tri, pedwar.

One, two, three, four.

Teaching tip: Use shapes, animals or simple Welsh vocabulary instead of colours as children progress. Keep everyone playing rather than eliminating those who choose the wrong corner.

Game 4

Sboncian ar Sgwariau (Welsh-Themed Hopscotch)

Ages: 4–10 | Players: 1+ | Equipment: Chalk and beanbag

Hopscotch is easy to adapt into a Welsh numbers activity. It is especially useful for beginners learning to count.

How to Play

1. Draw a traditional hopscotch grid.
2. Write Welsh numbers from one to ten in the squares.
3. Children take turns throwing a beanbag onto a square.
4. They hop along the grid, skipping the marked square.
5. They say the Welsh number in every square they visit.
6. Continue until everyone has practised all ten numbers.

Welsh phrases:

Un, dau, tri!

One, two, three!

Neidio!

Jump!

Da iawn!

Very good!

Teaching tip: For pupils who cannot hop, encourage stepping, pointing or moving a marker through the squares.

Game 5

Plismon y Traffig (Traffic Police Officer)

Ages: 4–9 | Players: 4+ | Equipment: Red, amber and green cards

A simple playground listening game that introduces Welsh colours and movement commands.

How to Play

1. Choose one child as the traffic officer.
2. Give them red, amber and green cards.
3. Children stand at one end of the play area.
4. Green means move forward.
5. Amber means move slowly.
6. Red means stop immediately.
7. Change the officer after several rounds.

Welsh phrases:

Gwyrdd – ewch!

Green – go!

Coch – stopiwch!

Red – stop!

Melyn – yn araf!

Yellow – slowly!

Teaching tip: Introduce different movements, such as walking, stepping sideways or marching.

Game 6

Mae Seimon yn Dweud (Simon Says)

Ages: 5–11 | Players: 3+ | Equipment: None

Simon Says is particularly effective for practising Welsh verbs and classroom instructions.

How to Play

1. Choose a child or teacher to be Simon.
2. The leader gives an instruction in Welsh.
3. Children only follow it when the phrase begins with "Mae Seimon yn dweud".
4. If Simon gives an instruction without this phrase, everyone stays still.
5. Continue with new actions and switch leaders.

Welsh phrases:

Mae Seimon yn dweud: neidiwch!

Simon says: jump!

Clapiwch!

Clap!

Eisteddwch!

Sit down!

Teaching tip: Demonstrate each action before starting. Use a non-elimination version so all pupils continue practising.

Game 7

Helfa Liwiau (Colour Hunt)

Ages: 3–8 | Players: 2+ | Equipment: Colour cards (optional)

A simple scavenger hunt that encourages children to recognise Welsh colour words.

How to Play

1. Gather children in a safe play area.
2. Call out a colour in Welsh.
3. Children look for an object matching that colour.
4. They point to the object and repeat the Welsh word.
5. Repeat with different colours.
6. For older children, ask them to describe the objects.

Welsh phrases:

Chwiliwch am rywbeth glas!

Look for something blue!

Dyma rywbeth coch!

Here is something red!

Pa liw ydy hwn?

What colour is this?

Teaching tip: Do not require children to collect objects. Pointing is often easier and safer, especially during outdoor learning.

Game 8

Pasio'r Bêl (Pass the Ball and Count)

Ages: 4–10 | Players: 4+ | Equipment: Soft ball

This easy circle game reinforces Welsh numbers, turn-taking and listening.

How to Play

1. Children sit or stand in a circle.
2. Give one child a soft ball.
3. The first child says "Un" and passes the ball.
4. The next child says "Dau".
5. Continue counting as the ball travels around the circle.
6. Try counting backwards or switching to colours.

Welsh phrases:

Un, dau, tri...

One, two, three...

Dy dro di!

Your turn!

Dal y bêl!

Catch the ball!

Teaching tip: Use a soft ball and gentle passes. Younger pupils can roll the ball instead.

Game 9

Ga i Groesi'r Afon? (May I Cross the River?)

Ages: 5–11 | Players: 6+ | Equipment: Two boundary lines

A lively chasing game that encourages pupils to practise asking permission in Welsh.

How to Play

1. Mark two sides of an imaginary river.
2. Choose one child to stand in the middle.
3. The others ask whether they may cross.
4. The middle player chooses a condition, such as wearing blue.
5. Children meeting that condition may cross safely.
6. The others attempt to cross without being gently tagged.
7. Change roles regularly.

Welsh phrases:

Ga i groesi'r afon?

May I cross the river?

Cei!

You may!

Na chei!

You may not!

Teaching tip: Adapt this into a walking game for limited spaces. Agree clear boundaries and safe tagging rules.

Game 10

Helfa Drysor (Playground Treasure Hunt)

Ages: 6–11 | Players: 2+ | Equipment: Clue cards and a small prize

A playground treasure hunt is a useful way to practise Welsh directions and simple sentences.

How to Play

1. Choose a safe and supervised area.
2. Prepare a series of simple Welsh clues.
3. Hide clue cards in visible, accessible locations.
4. Children follow the instructions together.
5. Each clue leads to the next location.
6. The final clue reveals a small treasure or picture.

Welsh phrases:

Trowch i'r chwith.

Turn left.

Trowch i'r dde.

Turn right.

Cerddwch ymlaen.

Walk forward.

Teaching tip: Older pupils can write clues for younger children. Use pictures to support pupils who are just beginning to read Welsh.

Interactive Welsh Playground Game Picker

Not sure which game to play? Press the button to choose one of the ten activities at random.

Your game will appear here.

Free Printable Welsh Playground Game Cards

Downloading and printing resources should be easy. This collection includes ten ready-to-print activity cards with game names, rules and Welsh phrases.

Print format: 2 A4 pages, containing 5 game cards per page. The printout contains only the activity cards, with no blog article, advertisements or sidebar.

For best results, choose A4 paper, portrait orientation and 100% scale. Disable browser headers and footers in the print settings.

Useful Welsh Playground Phrases for Teachers

These common Welsh instructions can be introduced gradually during games, classroom activities and playground sessions.

Welsh	English
Wyt ti'n barod?	Are you ready?
Dy dro di!	Your turn!
Un, dau, tri	One, two, three
Ewch!	Go!
Stopiwch!	Stop!
Neidiwch!	Jump!
Clapiwch!	Clap!
Trowch i'r dde.	Turn right.
Trowch i'r chwith.	Turn left.
Da iawn!	Very good!
Diolch!	Thank you!
Pa liw?	What colour?

How to Use Welsh Playground Games in Primary Schools

Reception and Nursery

Focus on colours, counting and simple actions. Keep games short and use repeated phrases. Colour Hunt and Traffic Police Officer are particularly suitable.

Key Stage 1

Introduce simple Welsh instructions and encourage children to respond verbally. Hopscotch, Four Corners and Duck, Duck, Goose are good starting points.

Key Stage 2

Encourage children to lead games independently, explain instructions and make their own Welsh-language activities.

Criw Cymraeg Activities

Criw Cymraeg pupils can organise a weekly playground game, demonstrate Welsh vocabulary and encourage other pupils to participate.

A simple five-day plan might use counting games on Monday, colour games on Tuesday, movement games on Wednesday, team games on Thursday and a Welsh treasure hunt on Friday.

Making Welsh Playground Games Inclusive

Adapt activities so that all children can take part. Offer walking or seated alternatives, avoid elimination rules and use accessible equipment. Provide visual signs for pupils who benefit from additional communication support.

Always supervise games, assess the available space and ensure chasing activities use clear boundaries and appropriate safety rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are playground games called in Welsh?

Playground games may be described as "gemau buarth" in Welsh. The term refers to games played in playgrounds or yards.

Are these traditional Welsh games?

Some are familiar playground games used in Welsh-speaking settings. Others are games adapted to practise Welsh vocabulary. The collection does not suggest that every game originated in Wales.

Are the games suitable for KS1 and KS2?

Yes. The games can be adapted for Reception, KS1 and KS2 by changing the vocabulary, instructions, movements and level of difficulty.

Can children learn Welsh through playground games?

Playground games create opportunities to hear, repeat and use Welsh vocabulary in meaningful situations. They can complement structured classroom language teaching.

Are the game printables free?

Yes. The ten activity cards are free to print for home and classroom use. No registration is required.

How many pages will the printable use?

The printable is designed to use exactly two A4 pages, with five activity cards per page. It opens separately from the article to prevent unnecessary website pages from printing.

More Welsh Learning Resources

Explore more Welsh culture, children's educational activities, traditional celebrations and printable learning resources at Prydain.co.uk.

You can also explore useful educational material through the Hwb education platform.

Welsh-language usage can vary by region. Schools may wish to check the phrases against their preferred local Welsh terminology.