Camp Out Day ideas for OSHC
18 DIY activities for a camp out day at before and after school care or vacation care, usually run around Any time / Winter or Any time / World Space Week (October). Pick and mix, or build a balanced day in one click.
Blanket Fort Building
Teams engineer cosy forts from sheets, chairs and pegs, then read inside them. Building, teamwork and quiet time in one.
Cubby Day · Camp Out Day · Nature Play Day +2Broom and Stick Cubbies
Children lean old brooms and long sticks together with sheets to make outdoor cubbies.
Camp Out Day · Wilderness Adventure · Survival Challenge Day +2Camp Out Afternoon
Children pitch tents outdoors and help make a simple camp afternoon tea on a portable stove, experiencing camp life at the service.
Trail Blazers · Treasure Hunters Day · Outdoor Explorers +2Compass Treasure Trail
Children learn north, south, east and west, then use compasses and simple directions to find items hidden around the yard.
Movie Day · Camp Out Day · Cubby Day +2Cosy Movie Tents
Pairs of friends watch the movie from pop-up tents and get the first serve of popcorn.
Camp Out Day · Aussie Outback Day · All About Australia Day +2Damper Making
Children mix a simple damper dough and bake it, learning a classic Australian bush bread recipe.
Cubby Day · Wet Weather Day · Pyjama Day +2Indoor Fort Building
Children use sheets, chairs and pegs to build forts around the room, then use them as cosy spaces for play and reading.
Jungle Mission · Survival Challenge Day · Wilderness Adventure +2Jungle Survival Kit
Children choose ten items for a jungle survival pack and explain their choices to the group.
Survival Challenge Day · Camp Out Day · Life Skills Day +3Knot Tying Stations
Older children learn useful knots like the reef knot, bowline and clove hitch using step-by-step picture cards.
Camp Out Day · Nature Play Day · Enchanted Forest +3Leaf and Flower Crowns
Children collect fallen leaves and flowers and attach them to card bands to make nature crowns.
Survival Challenge Day · Camp Out Day · Craft Day +1Paracord Survival Bracelets
Older children plait or knot a paracord bracelet with a buckle clip, a hands-on project they can wear home.
Survival Challenge Day · Camp Out Day · Emergency Services Day +2Pretend Campfire Safety Talk
Children gather around a pretend stick-and-cellophane campfire to learn real campfire safety, then share stories and songs.
Camp Out Day · Music and Dance Day · Wilderness Adventure +1Pretend Campfire Sing-Along
Children gather around a pretend campfire made from cellophane and sticks to sing call-and-response songs together.
Full Moon Night · Space Explorers · Science and Space +2Star Chart Constellation Viewers
Children learn star patterns from charts and make constellation viewers by poking holes in cups to shine a torch through.
Survival Challenge Day · Cubby Day · Camp Out Day +3Team Shelter Building
Older children work in teams to build a lean-to shelter from branches, rope and tarps big enough for the whole team.
Camp Out Day · Cubby Day · Wilderness Adventure +3Tent and Cubby Building
Children work together to build tents and cubbies from sheets, poles and pegs, then use them for play.
Space Explorers · Science and Space · Full Moon Night +2Torch Constellation Cups
Children pierce star patterns into cups and shine a torch through to project constellations onto the ceiling.
Camp Out Day · Puppet Day · Full Moon Night +3Torchlight Shadow Stories
Children use torches and their hands to create shadow puppets and tell stories in a darkened room.