Max and Ivy Enjoy Sports Day is a complete Read, Play, Learn set that brings the excitement of sports day off the page and into children's hands. The 32-page illustrated storybook follows Max and Ivy as they take part in their first sports day at their grandparents', navigating the egg and spoon race, the sack race, bean bag games, and the three-legged race — and learning that being a good sport matters as much as winning. Everything in the story is included in the box, ready to play straight away.

How it helps

For children who find sitting still with a book a challenge, this set gives reading a clear and exciting purpose. The story builds anticipation for the physical play that follows, and each race provides a direct connection to something they have just read about. That link between words and action is genuinely meaningful for reluctant readers, and the physical activity itself — balance, coordination, turn-taking, perseverance — develops skills that go well beyond the page. The set also carries a warm, inclusive message: the story celebrates effort and good sportsmanship rather than just coming first.

Why it works in early years and primary settings

• Bridges literacy and physical education. The storybook can be used in a guided reading or shared reading session, with the sports day activities following naturally as a PE or outdoor play component — no additional resources needed.
• Supports gross motor development, coordination, and balance. The egg and spoon race, sack race, three-legged race, and bean bag games all target key physical skills in the EYFS and KS1 PE curriculum, making this a justifiable classroom resource.
• Works for groups of up to four children simultaneously. With four sets of eggs and spoons, four jumping sacks, four bean bags, and two leg straps, the set supports small group play without children having to wait for a turn.
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The set works equally well in a school hall, a garden, or a classroom, making it a flexible resource across different settings and weather conditions.
• Supports emotional literacy and PSHE. The story's message around sportsmanship, resilience, and managing disappointment provides a natural starting point for PSHE conversations about feelings, competition, and fairness.

• 32-page fully illustrated storybook following Max and Ivy as they take part in their first sports day, with a message of effort, good sportsmanship, and fun.
• Read, Play, Learn format: every race in the storybook is included as physical equipment in the box — children read the story and then play the games themselves.
• 4 x eggs and spoons in red, blue, green, and yellow — sized for younger children to make the egg and spoon race accessible from age three.
• 4 x jumping sacks for sack race games, in matching colours.
• 4 x bean bags for throwing and target games, lightly weighted for small hands.
• 2 x leg straps with Velcro fastenings for three-legged race play.
• Instructions included with suggestions for different sports day games.
• 18 pieces in total. Suitable for up to 4 children playing simultaneously.
• Aimed at ages 3 to 7, suitable from early years through lower KS1.
• Supports gross motor skills, balance, coordination, teamwork, and emotional resilience.
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

• What age is this set suitable for?
  The set is designed for children aged 3 to 7. The equipment is sized with younger children in mind — the spoons are large to make the egg and spoon race accessible from age three — and the storybook works equally well as a read-aloud or a shared read for older children in this range.
• How many children can use the set at once?
  The set includes four eggs and spoons, four jumping sacks, and four bean bags, so up to four children can take part simultaneously. The two leg straps support pairs of children for three-legged races. For larger groups, children can take part in teams or take turns between races.
• Can this be used indoors?
  Yes. The set works in a school hall, a large classroom, or a living room as well as outdoors. The bean bags are lightly weighted rather than hard-filled, which makes them safer for indoor use.
• Is this suitable for children with dyslexia or learning differences?
  Yes. The Read, Play, Learn format is particularly well suited to children who benefit from physical and multi-sensory learning. Reading the story and then enacting the races gives the text an immediate, active purpose — which is a strong motivator for children who find reading difficult or tiring.
• Can this be used as a school PE resource?
  Yes. The set supports key physical skills from the EYFS and KS1 PE curriculum — balance, coordination, gross motor development, and teamwork — and can be used alongside the storybook in a literacy session as well as during PE or outdoor play. It is well suited to small group use in a school or early years setting.
• Are there other sets in the Max and Ivy range?
  Yes. Max and Ivy is a series of Read, Play, Learn sets on different themes, including magic tricks, money management, and dinosaurs. Each set follows the same format: a storybook paired with physical props that bring the story directly into play.