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The school holidays are here, and the children have arrived. How do you keep them entertained? Let’s explore different types of activities that you can offer and how they benefit children attending holiday clubs.
Why are activities for kids important?
Beyond just being great entertainment, there is so much that children can gain from activities that can help them develop and feel more confident, which can be rewarding to see for you and your team.
In this article, we’ll look at a range of children’s activities, including:
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Arts and Crafts
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Science
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Games
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Music
It’s a brilliant way for kids to socialise
When kids are participating in an activity together, it can help them to connect with one another. It can help kids who are not sure how to first start talking to their peers, to find common ground to speak about, especially if they are new to the holiday club.
It helps them learn how to direct themselves
The activities in this article encourage kids to make their own decisions and take charge of their actions. For example, in arts and crafts, let them choose colours, decide who to feature, or imagine their own world. Playing games also lets them pick strategies, helping them succeed and build confidence. These decisions boost their self-direction and confidence, both now and in the future.
It’s a fantastic outlet for creativity
Kids have so much imagination that needs an outlet! The holiday activities in this article give them fun ways to explore sound, colour, texture, and different materials. It’s also a great way for them to figure out what they enjoy and what makes them happy. Hobbies are fantastic for a child’s wellbeing, especially when they’re in a supportive and encouraging environment.
It allows them to connect with themselves
Some kids can struggle to express themselves verbally. Holiday activities give them a great way to share their feelings and thoughts in a creative way. It’s something they’ll carry with them long after the club is over.
Arts and Crafts Ideas for Holiday Clubs
Lollypop stick crafts
This craft is good for all ages with lots of room for variation and experimentation.
Items needed:
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Pipe cleaners
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Googly eyes
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Paint and brush
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Felt tip pens
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Glue
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Any other embellishment of your choice, such as glitter or mini pom-poms.
Kids are able to paint the lollypop stick any colour that they want (or to leave it as it is) and then draw on details such as scales, spots, hearts or anything else before finishing by gluing on googly eyes for a fun finish. Pipe cleaners can be used to add arms and legs to your stick or to embellish the original design.
Bubble wrap painting
You either loved it or hated it as a child, but it makes a fun alternative to normal painting! For a textural, sensory art experience, grab:
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Bubble wrap
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Paper
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A paintbrush
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Three paint colours
Encourage the child to draw a central figure with two of the paint colours. They can then add the third colour into their palette and paint the bubble wrap, leaving enough space in the middle for the central figure to not get painted on. Use the bubble wrap to stencil on the background and voila – all done!
Hanging decoration
This is a great idea that can be adapted to any season, whether you’re painting Easter eggs, Christmas baubles or Halloween pumpkins.
You’ll need:
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Card or thick paper in the desired colour
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Shells or other light, small items
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Paints, colouring pencils or felt tips
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Thin, decorative string or ribbon
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Glitter (optional)
This is a great idea that can be adapted to any season, whether you’re painting Easter eggs, Christmas baubles or Halloween pumpkins. To make this craft, start by cutting out two identical shapes, like circles for a bauble or eggs for Easter. Decorate both sides with glitter, patterns, and designs. Cut a top slot in one and a bottom slot in the other, then punch a hole at the top of one, thread a ribbon through, and secure it. Slot the two shapes together and you’re done!
Science Experiments for Holiday Clubs
Baking soda volcano
Possibly one of the most satisfying holiday club activity ideas is helping the kids to create their very own volcano! This activity is great as it combines creativity with science, with a truly spectacular end that they will definitely go home raving about!
Chromatography Flowers
Science experiments are often a super fun activity for children in a holiday club and this one is no exception. This is a beautiful, mind-bending science experiment with an artsy twist whereby an ink is separated into different colours. Try the experiment by following this tutorial.
Lava Lamp
Whilst we remember lava lamps, most of the children in your summer holiday club probably don’t, and what a way to introduce them than by helping them make their own. They teach the children about the densities of different substances, and how they do (and don’t) mix. Take a look at this idea of how to make one as part of your holiday club activities.
Game Ideas for Holiday Clubs
Keep the balloon up
This simple game is super fun and low-cost! Just blow up enough balloons for each child and make sure there’s plenty of space to play without wind or collisions. You can even add a prize for the child who keeps their balloon up the longest.
Touch and feel boxes
Kids love things they can’t see! Get them to decorate a shoe box with a hole big enough for their arm, then have them reach in and guess the object inside. Use different textures and densities for added fun. This game can be played competitively or just for fun in groups.
Hot potato
A classic game idea for holiday clubs is hot potato – be prepared for lots of giggles! The idea is to hold the ball or beanbag for as little time as possible, and for the kids to keep it moving. Musical hot potato is a great variation. When you stop the music, whichever child is holding the ball is out. Keep going until you have one child who has conquered the hot potato.
Music Ideas for Holiday Clubs
Musical chairs
An absolute classic game that all kids seem to enjoy. Get chairs in a circle, play music as kids dance along the circle, until the music stops, after which the kids must find a chair to sit on. The kid that does not get a seat gets eliminated. This classic school holiday club game is not just fun, it’s one that also teaches kids the value of reacting fast, playing by the rules, being patient, and dealing with disappointment when they’re out of the game.
Musical storytelling
Print out the lyrics to popular storytelling songs and nursery rhymes for the kids to sing along to. Songs such as ten green bottles work really well. This one is a great bonding activity and one that all kids will enjoy.
Make music shakers
After making shakers, play some music and have the kids shake along to the rhythm. Start with a mid-tempo track and then switch to faster songs to make it even more fun!
You’ll need:
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2 paper cups
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Chickpeas or rice
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Sticky tape
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Scissors
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Ribbon
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Glitter and stickers
Start by making two small holes in the bottom of the cup for the ribbon to be threaded through – younger kids may need assistance. Thread through the ribbon and tie it in a bow.
Add chickpeas or rice into one of the cups. Use sticky tape to hold together the two cups. Decorate with stickers and/or glitter. Get ready to shake!
How can Kids Club HQ help with running your Holiday Club?
We are a platform that helps you to run your holiday club smoothly and professionally. We can provide you with everything from support with admin, payments and invoicing to helping to manage important information about the kids in your club. You can learn more here.