Pacific Islands Day / Pacific Island Hop Greetings
Pacific Island Hop Greetings
Hoops become Pacific nations, and children race to the right island when they hear its greeting, from 'Talofa' in Samoa to 'Kia orana' in the Cook Islands.
How to run it
- Lay out hoops around the yard, each labelled with a nation and its greeting: Samoa 'Talofa lava', Tonga 'Mālō e lelei', Fiji 'Bula', Cook Islands 'Kia orana', Niue 'Fakaalofa lahi atu', Kiribati 'Mauri'.
- Practise each greeting together, inviting any children with Pacific heritage to lead if they would like to.
- Call out a greeting and children run to that island; the last few in help call the next round.
- Finish by learning 'thank you' in two or three of the languages, such as 'Fa'afetai' (Samoan), 'Vinaka' (Fijian) and 'Meitaki' (Cook Islands Māori).
You will need
- hoops or chalk circles
- nation and greeting signs
Make it easier or harderYounger children start with three islands; older children add a fact about each nation before the round.
SafetySpace hoops well apart and use a non-slip surface.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 1, Outcome 5Children learn greetings from specific Pacific nations and celebrate peers' heritage through active play.
Fits these theme days
More like this
After School Quick STEM · Games Day · Board Games Day +2
Number Card Maths Game
Children use a deck of coloured number cards to play quick adding and multiplying games, turning maths practice into friendly competition.
Great Race Day · Around the World Day · Teamwork Day +2Team Flag Design
Each team designs its own flag with a name, colours and symbols, building identity and team spirit before a race or games day.
Around the World Day · Great Race Day · Harmony Day +3Around the World Race
Teams race through country-themed challenge stations, completing a task at each one to learn a little about different places.
Around the World Day · Japan Day · Lunar New Year +3Asian Cultures Food and Fun
Children try simple dishes, music and games from several Asian countries across one day, celebrating diversity in a hands-on way.