The Ultimate Guide to Giant Games for Schools, Kinders and Childcare Centres
Giant games have become a genuine staple in Australian schools, kinders, OSHC programs and childcare centres, and it's not just because they're fun. Oversized versions of classic games like Connect Four, tumbling towers and checkers give educators an easy way to fill wet-weather days, PE lessons, fetes and free play with something that keeps a whole group engaged at once, no batteries, no screens, no long setup.
This guide covers what to actually look for when buying giant games for an institutional setting (not just a backyard), our pick of the games that hold up best to daily centre use, and the practical side of ordering, invoicing and bulk purchasing for schools and services.
Why Giant Games Work So Well in School and Centre Settings
Beyond the obvious fun factor, giant games do a lot of quiet educational work.
- ✓Build teamwork, turn-taking and social skills without feeling like a structured lesson.
- ✓Support gross motor development, coordination and hand-eye skills through movement based play.
- ✓Set up in minutes indoors or outdoors, useful for wet weather days and PE lessons alike.
- ✓Create an inclusive activity that works across a wide range of ages and physical abilities.
- ✓Reinforce early numeracy and strategic thinking through games like Connect Four and checkers.
- ✓Hold up to daily rotation between classes, rather than being a one-off novelty.
What to Look For When Buying for a School or Centre
A giant game bought for a family backyard gets occasional weekend use. The same game in a school or centre might get handled by 20 to 30 different children a day, several days a week, all year. That changes what actually matters when you're choosing one.
- ✓Build quality: solid timber or reinforced frames hold up far better than lightweight versions under daily handling.
- ✓Storage footprint: games that pack down flat or come with a carry bag are much easier for staff to store between uses.
- ✓Weatherproofing: if it'll live outdoors or move between indoor and outdoor spaces, check the finish is suited to that.
- ✓Group size: some games suit one-on-one play, others (like a full connect four set) work well for small groups rotating turns.
- ✓Rounded edges and safe materials: particularly important for kinder and early learning settings.
- ✓Easy to clean: a genuine consideration in any shared-use childcare environment.
Our Top Picks for Schools, Kinders and Centres
These five come up again and again as the ones that get used the most and last the longest in institutional settings.
1. Giant Connect Four
A genuine favourite across every age group we've supplied to. Kids practise colour matching, counting and turn-taking without realising they're learning, and rounds are quick enough to rotate several small groups through in a single lesson. Discs drop with a satisfying clunk that keeps even reluctant players coming back for another game.
2. Giant Wooden Tower Game
A tumbling block tower is one of the best tools for teaching focus and steady hands, and it naturally lends itself to paired or small-group challenges during free play. Older primary and OSHC-aged kids in particular tend to turn it into an ongoing competition, which is exactly the kind of self-directed engagement educators are looking for.
3. Giant Checkers
A calmer option compared to the more physical games on this list, giant checkers works well in a library corner, undercover area, or even inside the classroom itself. It's a genuinely useful tool for building forward-thinking and logic skills in an activity that doesn't feel like a worksheet.
4. Giant Pick-Up Sticks
A simple concept that does a lot for younger children's fine motor development and patience. Works well as a small-group activity during quieter parts of the day, and takes almost no time to reset between turns, useful when you've got a queue of kids waiting for a go.
5. Giant Quoits
A genuine PE teacher favourite. Quoits build hand-eye coordination and a bit of friendly competition, and pack down small enough to bring out for sports days, fetes, or just burning off energy between structured lessons.
Buying for Your School, Kinder or Centre
Ordering for an institution looks a bit different to a household purchase, and we can help with the parts that actually matter for a school or centre buyer.
- ✓Invoicing and purchase orders: happy to organise an invoice or work directly from a purchase order for your service.
- ✓Bulk orders: ordering for multiple classrooms, a whole centre, or several properties under one management group is something we do regularly.
- ✓Delivery to your service: we can arrange delivery direct to a school or centre address, not just a residential one.
- ✓Advice on group size and space: if you're unsure which games suit your available area or age group, get in touch before ordering.
Storage, Care and Getting the Most Use From Your Giant Games
Giant games in a school or centre get handled far more often than the same game at home, so a little routine care goes a long way. Store timber games undercover between uses where possible, even a covered outdoor storage box or an indoor cupboard makes a real difference to how long the finish lasts.
Games with a carry bag or that pack down flat are worth prioritising if storage space is tight, since staff are far more likely to keep using something that's quick to pack away between classes. A quick wipe down after outdoor use, particularly for anything with a fabric bag or storage sleeve, also helps keep equipment looking presentable for open days, fetes and tours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are giant games suitable for kindergarten aged children?
Yes, many giant games suit kinder aged children well, particularly games like Giant Connect Four and giant pick-up sticks. Always check the recommended age range on the individual product page, and supervise younger children around larger or heavier equipment.
Can we get an invoice or use a purchase order for a school or centre order?
Yes, we're happy to organise an invoice or work directly from a purchase order for schools, kinders and childcare centres. Get in touch and we'll sort out the details for your service.
Do you offer bulk pricing for multiple giant games?
Yes, we regularly supply schools, centres and multi-site services with bulk orders. Contact us with what you're after and we'll put together a quote.
Are giant games suitable for both indoor and outdoor use?
Most of our giant games work well in both settings. Check the individual product page for specific care notes if a game will be moved between indoor and outdoor areas regularly.
How much space do we need for a giant games set?
This varies by game, each product page lists dimensions so you can plan around your available indoor or outdoor space, whether that's a classroom corner, undercover area, or an open yard.
Do giant games need much maintenance in a high-use setting?
Timber games benefit from being stored undercover between uses and an occasional wipe down. Beyond that, most giant games are built to handle frequent handling without much upkeep.
Ready to Bring Giant Games Into Your Centre
Browse the full range below, or get in touch directly to talk through bulk orders, invoicing and school-friendly bundles for your service.
Browse All Giant GamesEstablished 2012
We've been supplying Australian families, schools and centres since 2012.
Invoice & Purchase Orders
Happy to organise an invoice or work from a purchase order.
Bulk Orders
Buying for a school, centre or multiple properties? We can help.