Theme days / Big Kids Club

Big Kids Club ideas for OSHC

36 DIY activities for a big kids club at before and after school care or vacation care. Pick and mix, or build a balanced day in one click.

Build a Big Kids Club

Big Kids Club · Puzzle Day · Long Projects Day +1

3D Puzzle Projects

Older children work on complex 3D puzzles over several sessions, building patience and spatial skills. A great quiet project corner.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Loose Parts Day · Cubby Day +2

Big Loose Parts Builds

Children use planks, cable reels and crates to build large structures outdoors. Encourages teamwork, problem-solving and safe risk-taking.

OutdoorHighSome prepYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Long Projects Day · Art Attack Day +2

Big Shared Artwork

Older children choose a theme and plan a large shared artwork, working on it across the term. Gives them real ownership and a finished piece to display.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Block World Day · Paper Crafts Day +1

Block-World Papercraft

Children cut, fold and glue printable templates into blocky 3D characters and objects in a block-world style. Builds fine motor and spatial skills.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Graffiti and Street Art · Art Attack Day · Budding Artists +1

Bubble Letter Name Tags

Children design their name in bold bubble or block letters, adding shading, outlines and colour in a street-art style.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Cooking Day · Ice Cream Day +2

Buddy Banana Nice Cream

Older children partner with younger ones to blend frozen bananas into a simple dairy-free 'nice cream'. Builds leadership and connection across ages.

IndoorCalmSome prepPrep to Year 6 Escape Room Day · Big Kids Club · Puzzle Day +2

Build-Your-Own Escape Room

Older children design and build a series of puzzles, then run their escape room for younger groups to solve.

IndoorModerateBig set-upYears 4 to 6 Board Games Day · Games Day · Before School Calm Start +3

Card Game Masters

Older children learn new card games such as rummy, snap variations or solitaire, building strategy, maths and turn-taking skills.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Board Games Day · Games Day +1

Card Games Club

Children learn and teach new games with a standard deck of cards, from simple matching to strategy games. Builds maths, turn-taking and social skills.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Backyard Play Day · Cricket Day +2

Classic Playground Games

Educators lead old favourites like four square, handball, red rover and backyard cricket. Simple, inclusive games that get everyone moving.

OutdoorHighGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Detective Day · Spy School · Treasure Hunters Day +2

Community Clue Trail

Children follow a walking trail of clues held by local businesses, finishing with a group barbecue.

OutdoorModerateBig set-upYears 4 to 6 Obstacle Course Day · Ninja Obstacle Day · Teamwork Day +2

Design-a-Course Challenge

Small teams plan, build and test their own mini obstacle courses, then invite others to try them. Children take ownership of the design and the safety rules.

OutdoorHighSome prepYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Long Projects Day · Maker Day +2

Doll House Makeover

Over a term, older children renovate an old doll house with paint, scraps and handmade furniture. Combines design, building and storytelling.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 What I Want to Be Day · Careers Day · Big Kids Club

Dream Job Research Poster

Children research a job they're interested in and create a poster showing what the work involves, the skills needed and the tools used.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Staff Skills Day · Learn to Day · Careers Day +1

Educator Passion Workshop

An educator turns a personal passion such as sport, art or drama into a whole-day workshop, sharing real skills instead of a paid incursion.

EitherModerateBig set-upPrep to Year 6 Target Games Day · Games Day · Spy School +1

Foam Dart Target Practice

Children use foam dart blasters to knock down cups and hit targets, practising aim from different distances.

OutdoorModerateSome prepYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Crazy Hair Day · Pamper and Zen Day +2

Hair Braiding Station

Children practise braids and twists on a practice head or long-haired dolls. A calm, hands-on skill that builds fine motor control.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Superhero Day · Games Day · Big Kids Club

Heroes Versus Villains Tag

Teams of heroes and villains chase each other in a fast tag game with a safe base and freeze rules.

OutdoorHighGrab-and-goPrep to Year 6 Jungle Mission · Survival Challenge Day · Wilderness Adventure +2

Jungle Survival Kit

Children choose ten items for a jungle survival pack and explain their choices to the group.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Basketball Day · Challenge Day · Games Day +1

Knockout Shooting Game

Players line up and race to sink a shot before the person behind them, in a classic elimination basketball game.

OutdoorHighGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Craft Day · Yarn Day · Learn to Day +2

Macrame Keyrings

Older children learn basic knots to make macrame keyrings or small plant hangers, a calm, focused craft with a satisfying result.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Inventors Day · Robot Day +2

Old Electronics Pull-Apart

Children use screwdrivers to take apart old radios and gadgets, discovering the parts inside. A hands-on look at how everyday technology works.

IndoorModerateSome prepYears 4 to 6 Japan Day · Paper Crafts Day · International Day of Peace +2

Origami Cranes

Children learn to fold paper cranes and other simple origami, building patience and precision.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Maker Day · Inventors Day +2

Paddle Pop Stick Engineering

Children design and build bridges, boxes and catapults from paddle pop sticks. Test how strong or far their creations go.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Art Attack Day · Big Kids Club · Café Day +2

Paint and Juice Session

Older children enjoy a relaxed canvas painting session with juice or mocktails, combining creativity with a social, café-style atmosphere.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Art Through the Ages · Art Attack Day · Budding Artists +1

Paint Like a Famous Artist

Older children look at the styles of well-known artists, such as dots, swirls or bold shapes, and create their own artwork in that style.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Money Day · Market Day · Life Skills Day +1

Party Budget Challenge

Children use catalogues to plan a party on a set budget, choosing food, decorations and activities without overspending.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Market Day · Money Day · Life Skills Day +1

Play Money Budget Plan

Children receive a set amount of play money and a price list, then plan how to spend it wisely on needs and wants.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 K-Pop Dance Party · Dance-Off Day · Music and Dance Day +3

Pop Dance Routine

Children learn a simple dance routine to an upbeat pop song, inspired by Korean pop group choreography.

IndoorHighSome prepYears 4 to 6 Before School Calm Start · Book Week · Big Kids Club +1

Quiet Homework Corner

A quiet corner with desks and books gives older children a calm space to read or finish homework with an educator nearby.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Craft Day · Sewing Day · Long Projects Day +2

Sew a Cushion

Older children sew, stuff and decorate a small cushion to take home.

IndoorCalmSome prepYears 4 to 6 Cooking Day · Money Day · Life Skills Day +3

Shop and Cook Afternoon Tea

A small group walks to a local shop to buy ingredients on a budget, then cooks their own afternoon tea.

EitherModerateBig set-upYears 4 to 6 Inventors Day · Big Kids Club · Teamwork Day +1

Solve a Real Problem

Older children identify a real problem at the service and design practical solutions to present to educators.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Big Kids Club · Children's Week · Teamwork Day +1

Student Committee

Older children form a committee that helps plan menus, programs and room jobs, with badges for each role. Gives children a real voice in their service.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6 Show and Tell Day · Talent Show Day · Big Kids Club

Talent Sharing Circle

Children share a skill or talent with the group, from cartwheels to drawing, building confidence in a supportive space.

IndoorModerateGrab-and-goPrep to Year 6 Big Kids Club · Games Carnival Day · Beach Day +2

Volleyball and Badminton Comps

A simple net set up runs whole-group volleyball and badminton competitions. Fast-paced fun that builds coordination and team spirit.

OutdoorHighSome prepYears 4 to 6