Market Day ideas for OSHC
15 DIY activities for a market day at before and after school care or vacation care, usually run around Summer or Spring. Pick and mix, or build a balanced day in one click.
Café Menu Design
Children design illustrated café menus with dish names, descriptions and prices, combining creative writing with art.
Café Day · Cooking Day · Market Day +3Children's Café
Children plan, prepare and serve simple snacks in their own pop-up café, taking turns as chefs, wait staff and customers.
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.
Movie Day · Film Club Day · Café Day +2Cinema Snack Bar
Children make tickets and token money, then run the ticket desk, usher seating and serve popcorn for a movie session.
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.
Music Festival Day · Spring Fair · Market Day +1Festival Face Painting
Children have their faces painted with festival designs, and older children can take turns as face painters.
Music Festival Day · Spring Fair · Market Day +2Festival Game Stalls
Older children design and run game stalls for others to play, like a mini fair.
Music Festival Day · Spring Fair · Games Carnival Day +2Festival Sideshow Games
Children play classic festival sideshow games such as ring toss and sack races.
Everything's Duckie · Market Day · Money Day +2Lemonade Stand
Children squeeze lemons, mix lemonade and run a pretend stand with signs and play money.
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.
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.
Dramatic Play Day · Café Day · Market Day +1Pretend Shop or Café
Children set up and run a pretend supermarket or café with menus, empty packets and play money.
Money Day · Market Day · Dramatic Play Day +1Pretend Shop Play
Children run a pretend shop with play money, taking turns as shopkeeper and customer.
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.
Spring Fair · Games Carnival Day · Target Games Day +2Spring Fair Games
Children play classic fair games like ball toss, ring toss and knock-down cans at a festive outdoor fair.