oshc activities
Theme days / Money Day

Money Day ideas for OSHC

13 DIY activities for a money day at before and after school care or vacation care, usually run around World Chocolate Day (7 July). Pick and mix, or build a balanced day in one click.

Build a Money Day
Café Day · Cooking Day · Market Day +1

Café Menu Design

Children design illustrated café menus with dish names, descriptions and prices, combining creative writing with art.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6
Café Day · Cooking Day · Market Day +3

Children's Café

Children plan, prepare and serve simple snacks in their own pop-up café, taking turns as chefs, wait staff and customers.

IndoorModerateBig set-upPrep to Year 6
Market Day · Money Day · Craft Day +2

Children's Market Stall Day

Children make their own goods, set up stalls and trade with play money, taking turns as sellers and shoppers.

EitherModerateBig set-upPrep to Year 6
Chocolate Day · Easter · Pi Day +1

Chocolate Estimation Jar

Children guess how many chocolates fill a jar, then count together to see who came closest.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goPrep to Year 6
Movie Day · Film Club Day · Café Day +2

Cinema Snack Bar

Children make tickets and token money, then run the ticket desk, usher seating and serve popcorn for a movie session.

IndoorModerateSome prepPrep to Year 6
Market Day · Money Day · Life Skills Day +1

Craft Market Stalls

Children run small stalls selling handmade crafts for play money, practising counting, persuading and friendly customer service.

EitherModerateSome prepPrep to Year 6
Everything's Duckie · Market Day · Money Day +2

Lemonade Stand

Children squeeze lemons, mix lemonade and run a pretend stand with signs and play money.

OutdoorModerateSome prepPrep to Year 6
After School Quick STEM · Games Day · Board Games Day +2

Number Card Maths Game

Children use a deck of coloured number cards to play quick adding and multiplying games, turning maths practice into friendly competition.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 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
Dramatic Play Day · Café Day · Market Day +1

Pretend Shop or Café

Children set up and run a pretend supermarket or café with menus, empty packets and play money.

IndoorModerateSome prepPrep to Year 3
Money Day · Market Day · Dramatic Play Day +1

Pretend Shop Play

Children run a pretend shop with play money, taking turns as shopkeeper and customer.

IndoorModerateSome prepPrep to Year 3
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