Life Skills Day ideas for OSHC
25 DIY activities for a life skills day at before and after school care or vacation care, usually run around December or February (Heart Week). Pick and mix, or build a balanced day in one click.
Basic First Aid Skills
Children practise putting on a bandage and the recovery position, and learn when and how to call for help.
Wheels Day · Life Skills Day · Learn to Day +1Bike Care Basics
Children learn simple bike care: checking tyre pressure, pumping tyres, checking brakes and keeping the chain clean.
Wheels Day · Emergency Services Day · Life Skills DayBike Safety and Hand Signals
Children learn road safety basics and hand signals for turning and stopping, then practise them on a chalk course.
Market Day · Money Day · Craft Day +2Children's Market Stall Day
Children make their own goods, set up stalls and trade with play money, taking turns as sellers and shoppers.
Market Day · Money Day · Life Skills Day +1Craft Market Stalls
Children run small stalls selling handmade crafts for play money, practising counting, persuading and friendly customer service.
Sewing Day · Life Skills Day · Op Shop Day +2Drawstring Bags
Older children sew a simple fabric drawstring bag with a running stitch, learning a practical skill they can use again.
Sewing Day · Craft Day · Teddy Making Day +1Felt Shape Sewing
Older children stitch two felt shapes together and stuff them to make small plush hearts, stars or animals.
Emergency Services Day · Life Skills Day · Careers Day +1First Aid Basics
Children learn how to call Triple Zero and practise simple bandaging on each other, building confidence to help in an emergency.
Life Skills Day · Gardening Day · Sustainable Superstars +2Garden Jobs
Children help weed, water and mulch garden beds, learning how to care for plants.
Santa's Workshop · Christmas · Christmas in July +2Gift Wrapping Relay
Teams race to wrap boxes neatly against the clock, practising a handy life skill in a festive, fast-paced game.
Healthy Heart Day · Fruit and Veggie Day · Cooking Day +2Healthy Snack Plate
Children build a snack plate with something from each food group and talk about balanced eating.
Emergency Services Day · Life Skills Day · Careers DayHome Fire Escape Plan
Children draw a map of their home and mark two ways out and a meeting place, learning simple fire safety steps.
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.
Learn to Day · Yarn Day · Craft Day +3Learn to Finger Knit
Children start with finger knitting to learn the basics, then try simple needle knitting when ready.
Learn to Day · Sewing Day · Life Skills Day +2Learn to Sew
Children practise running stitch on hessian with plastic needles, then work up to making a simple pouch.
Life Skills Day · Cooking Day · Junior Chef Challenge +2Make Your Own Lunch
Children plan and prepare their own sandwich and snack, building independence in the kitchen.
Junior Chef Challenge · Cooking Day · Challenge Day +2Mystery Box Lunch Challenge
Teams open a mystery box of safe, simple ingredients and work together to create a lunch for a judging panel.
Money Day · Market Day · Life Skills Day +1Party Budget Challenge
Children use catalogues to plan a party on a set budget, choosing food, decorations and activities without overspending.
Junior Chef Challenge · Cooking Day · Café Day +1Pizza Scroll Making
Children spread sauce and cheese over dough, roll it up and slice it into scrolls ready for the oven.
Market Day · Money Day · Life Skills Day +1Play 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.
Money Day · Market Day · Dramatic Play Day +1Pretend Shop Play
Children run a pretend shop with play money, taking turns as shopkeeper and customer.
Life Skills Day · Sewing Day · Learn to Day +1Sew On a Button
Children learn to sew a button onto felt, a practical skill they can use at home.
Cooking Day · Money Day · Life Skills Day +3Shop and Cook Afternoon Tea
A small group walks to a local shop to buy ingredients on a budget, then cooks their own afternoon tea.
Block World Day · Survival Challenge Day · Emergency Services Day +2Survival Skills Training
Children learn basic first aid and fire safety through a survival mission, practising what to do in an emergency.
Taco Fiesta Day · Cooking Day · Junior Chef Challenge +2Taco Bar
Children help chop soft toppings and set up a taco bar, then build their own taco for a shared lunch.