Loose Parts Day ideas for OSHC
13 DIY activities for a loose parts day at before and after school care or vacation care, usually run around Summer or Any time / Talk Like a Pirate Day (19 September). Pick and mix, or build a balanced day in one click.
Big Loose Parts Builds
Children use planks, cable reels and crates to build large structures outdoors. Encourages teamwork, problem-solving and safe risk-taking.
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.
Extreme Challenge Day · Obstacle Course Day · Ninja Obstacle Day +1Cable Reel Adventure Course
Older children build and tackle an adventure course of cable reels, planks and ropes, testing balance and teamwork.
Free Play Day · Loose Parts Day · Backyard Play Day +1Child-Led Free Play Day
A relaxed day where children choose what they do and educators follow their interests with open-ended resources.
Water Play Day · Summer Holidays · Backyard Play Day +1DIY Water Play Circuit
Educators raid the storage shed for buckets, tubs, spray bottles and sponges to set up a homemade water play circuit without hiring inflatables.
Art Through the Ages · Recycle Day · Loose Parts Day +3Found Object Collage
Children collect and arrange found and recycled items into collages, exploring texture, colour and composition.
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.
Tiny Things Day · Enchanted Forest · Dinosaur Day +2Jar Lid Miniature Worlds
Children build tiny fairy, dinosaur or nature worlds inside jar lids using moss, pebbles and small figures.
Inventors Day · Maker Day · Recycle Day +3Junk Invention Lab
Children turn recyclables into new gadgets and inventions, testing and improving their designs.
Loose Parts Day · Maker Day · Recycle Day +3Reverse Garbage Maker Day
Children design anything they like from tables of clean recyclables, tape and tools, turning waste into creations.
Maker Day · Craft Day · Loose Parts Day +2Rotating Maker Stations
Children move freely between painting, clay and loose-parts stations, choosing how to create and testing ideas across different materials.
Pirate Day · Loose Parts Day · Cardboard Box Day +2Shipwreck Repair Challenge
Teams patch a cardboard ship using crates, fabric and tubes to make it seaworthy before a pretend storm. Teamwork and creative building.
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.