Backwards Day ideas for OSHC
13 DIY activities for a backwards day at before and after school care or vacation care, usually run around Children's Week (late October) or 2 March. Pick and mix, or build a balanced day in one click.
Back to Front Clothes Day
Children and educators wear clothes back to front or inside out for a topsy-turvy dress-up day that sets a silly tone.
Backwards Day · Opposites Day · Wacky Wednesday +2Backwards Races
Children run, walk or crab-walk races in reverse, turning familiar races upside down for a silly, active challenge.
Children's Week · Free Play Day · Backwards Day +1Children Choose the Day
Children vote on and plan the day's activities themselves, giving them a real say in their program.
Backwards Day · Opposites Day · Wacky WednesdayDessert First Snack Time
Afternoon tea is served before lunch for a topsy-turvy day, giving children a playful way to think about routines.
Opposites Day · Backwards Day · Wacky Wednesday +1Do the Opposite
Children listen carefully to instructions and do the exact opposite: sit when told to stand, whisper when told to shout. A giggly listening game.
Rhyme Time Day · Cooking Day · Silly Stories Day +1Green Scrambled Eggs
Children help cook scrambled eggs coloured green with spinach or food colouring, inspired by silly rhyming stories.
Backwards Day · Opposites Day · Games Day +2Lowest Score Wins Games
Familiar games are played with reversed rules so the lowest score wins, encouraging fresh strategies and lots of laughs.
Backwards Day · Opposites Day · Spy School +2Mirror Writing Messages
Older children write names and secret messages backwards, then use mirrors to read them, exploring reflection and letter shapes.
Opposites Day · Backwards Day · Art Attack Day +1Opposite Hand Art
Children draw using their non-dominant hand and compare the results. A funny, low-pressure art challenge.
Mismatch Day · Opposites Day · Backwards Day +2Opposites Says
A twist on the classic follow-the-leader game where children do the opposite of what the leader says.
Games Carnival Day · Wacky Wednesday · Silly Tasks Day +2Wacky Carnival Events
Children compete in silly events like gumboot throwing, egg-and-spoon races and backwards running. Laughter matters more than winning.
Wacky Wednesday · Crazy Hair Day · Backwards Day +1Wacky Hair Salon
Educators run a wacky hair salon where children choose clips, pipe cleaners and temporary colour to create wild hairstyles.
Wacky Wednesday · Backwards Day · Silly Tasks Day +1Wacky Walks
The leader invents a silly walk and everyone copies it across the yard, then a new leader takes over.