10 Exciting School Holiday Activity Ideas | Indoor and Outdoor Kids Activities

Are you a kids activity provider looking for fresh and exciting activity ideas to enhance your program planning? Whether you are planning a holiday camp, before or after-school club, or simply looking for ways to engage kids during summer break, you've come to the right place! These awesome kids' activities are perfect for any setting—at holiday camps, after-school clubs, or even at home with the family. Instead of just watching movies or spending time on screens, explore these exciting indoor and outdoor activities that will get everyone pumped up and laughing. There’s something for everyone to enjoy! Let’s explore some fantastic game ideas together!

Top 5 Indoor Games - Fun for Everyone

Get ready to bring everyone together with some exciting indoor activities. These fun kids’ activities will surely create unforgettable memories! Whether it's pouring rain outside or you're simply in need of some quality time, these games will keep everyone entertained for hours. Check out these five top indoor games that are perfect for all ages:

1. Hide-and-Seek
2. Silent Ball Game
3. Four Corners Game
4. The Telephone Game
5. 'I Love You Honey'

Hide-and-Seek

This timeless game that never goes out of style is perfect for sparking giggles and excitement in kids of all ages. It's a fantastic way for families to bond and have a blast together. Get set to start playing and enjoy every moment!

1. Select a Seeker: One person closes their eyes and counts to a set number (like 20) while the others hide.
2. Set Boundaries: Define which rooms or areas are off-limits for hiding.
3. Count and Seek: The seeker counts with their eyes closed and then searches for the hiders.
4. Find and Tag: The seeker tags the hidden players to "find" them.
5. New Seeker: The first person found becomes the new seeker for the next round.

This game not only promotes physical activity, but sharpens your kids’ minds, and teaches patience and perseverance. Let the fun and excitement take over!

Silent Ball Game

Get ready for a thrilling game of Silent Ball that will have you hooked right from the start! All you need are a few softballs or balloons to get the fun going.

1. Divide into Groups: First split the kids into groups of 3-4 and make sure each group has their ball or balloon to play with.
2. Play Silently: The children are supposed to throw and catch the ball or balloon with each other in complete silence.
3. Stay Quiet: If anyone speaks, their entire group must sit down which means they're out of the game.
4. Last Group Standing: The last group that manages to stay quiet and focused until the end will be crowned the winners

This is a fantastic way to keep kids entertained while promoting teamwork and concentration!

Four Corners Game

Four Corners is an exciting game that keeps your kids engaged and active no matter their age! With so many ways to play this game, you can easily customise it for different groups and environments. Here's the lowdown on how to get started:

1. Select the chaser: One child is selected as "it" and stands at the centre of the room.
2. Pick a Corner: The rest of the kids choose a corner (such as North, South, East, West or a number) to stand in.
3. Call Out a Corner: The child in the centre calls out a corner name or number.
4. Sit Down: Then all the kids in that corner must sit down.
5. Move Quietly: The remaining players can silently move to a new corner.
6. Repeat: The chaser keeps calling out corners until only one player remains standing- the winner! 🏆

🤫 Remember, silence is key to avoid giving away your location!

This game is fantastic for honing children's decision-making skills, physical activity, social interaction, and concentration.

The Telephone Game

Telephone is a hilarious game that is sure to keep everyone active and entertained. Get ready to follow these steps:

1. Form a Circle: Have the kids sit in a circle.
2. Create a Message: Select a child to create a message.
3. Pass it Along: Whisper the message from one child to the next, going around the circle.
4. Reveal the Message: Once the message returns to the original child, compare it to the original to see how much it has changed!

This activity is excellent for encouraging children to practice active listening, embrace the mistakes that come along the way and develop their skills in a fun and engaging manner.

'I Love You Honey'

This fun activity will challenge everyone to control their laughter while one person in the center tries to make everyone giggle. It is a fun way to see who can stay composed and keep a straight face! Here's how to get started:

1. Get Everyone Together: Gather everyone in a large circle. Pick one person to be in the middle.
2. Pick a Phrase: Select a funny or unexpected phrase for the person in the middle to say. “I love you honey” is a good starting point, but feel free to come up with your own!
3. Start the Game: The person in the middle begins saying the phrase to each person in the circle. They cannot touch anyone or say anything else.
4. Maintain a Straight Face: The goal for the person in the middle is to make everyone laugh. If someone laughs, they join the person in the middle. The new players in the middle also try to provoke laughter from the remaining players.
5. Find the Winner: Keep playing until one person in the circle has not laughed. That person is declared the winner! 🥳

That's the gist of playing "I Love You Honey"! The key is to have a blast and share a few chuckles. Whether you're the center of attention or keeping a straight face, this game is a great way to bring everyone together and enjoy some light-hearted moments.

Top 5 Outdoor Games - Pool-free water activities to keep cool and have a splash!

Who needs a pool when you’ve got so many action-packed and exciting options? With a range of outdoor activities on offer, you’re set for thrilling and endless fun—with just a touch of splash!

1. Water Balloon Piñata
2. Over Under Water Transfer Relay
3. Frozen T-shirt Game
4. Sponge Water Bombs
5. Homemade Slip n Slide

Water Balloon Piñata

Get ready for a splash! This epic wet and wild game is guaranteed to keep kids and adults entertained and cool. It is ideal for summer camps, family reunions, home or after-school clubs. Here are the instructions:

• Fill the Balloons: Fill water balloons with water.
• Hang the Balloons: Tie a string or rope around the neck of each water balloon. Hang the balloons from a tree branch or a pole, at a height appropriate for the players.
• Set a Safe Zone: Mark an area where players will stand to swing the stick.
• Blindfold the Player (Optional): Blindfold the player for added fun.
• Spin and Swing: Spin the player gently, hand them the stick or bat, and let them swing at the balloons, trying to break them.
• Take Turns: Each player takes a turn swinging until the balloons break.

Enjoy the splash: Keep the game going until everyone has had a chance to play and share a good laugh! That's the thrill of Water Balloon Piñata!

Over Under Water Transfer Relay

Get set for an exciting challenge with the Over Under Water Transfer Relay! This fun and interactive game will have kids engaged and working as a team, making it a fantastic addition to any holiday programme. Here's how to play:

1. Form two Lines: Have the kids line up in two lines, one behind the other.
2. Prepare the Containers: Place a bucket of water at the start of each line and give a container to each line member (without a lid).
3. Start the Transfer: The first person in each line fills their container with water from the bucket.
4. Pass the Water: The container of water is passed down the line using the "over, under" method: - the first person passes it overhead and the second person passes it under their legs. Keep alternating between "over" and "under" until it reaches the end of the line.
5. Pour and Rotate: The last person in line pours the remaining water into a bucket at the end of the line and runs to the front of the line.
6. Continue the Game: Keep the game going by rotating the person at the back to the front each round until the original bucket of water is empty
7. Determine the Winner: The team with the highest water level in their bucket at the back of the line wins.

This is a wonderful way to wrap up your summer holidays with some lively, friendly competition and see which team can successfully pass on the most water.

Frozen T-shirt Game

Get ready to take on the frosty fun challenge of the Frozen T-shirt game! This race will have everyone laughing as they try to thaw and wear a frozen shirt in record time.

1. Prepare the T-shirts: Make sure you soak those big T-shirts in water until they are nice and wet.
2. Freeze the T-shirts: Pop those soaked T-shirts into plastic bags and leave them in the freezer overnight.
3. Set Up the Race: The next day, hand out a frozen t-shirt to each participant.
4. Start the Race: When the signal is given, watch as participants race to thaw out and put on the frozen t-shirt over their regular clothes.
5. Determine the Winner: The first person to successfully get the frozen t-shirt on wins!

Activities like this are perfect for adding excitement to any holiday programme or family gathering. While the Frozen T-shirt game may be a bit chilly, it’s guaranteed to bring tons of laughter and friendly competition. Get ready to chill out and find out who can handle the frozen challenge! Enjoy the fun and freeze-tastic competition!

Sponge Water Bombs

Here is how you can have some splash-tastic fun with the Sponge Ball Game! This simple and reusable alternative to water balloons will make sure you stay cool on those scorching hot days. To create your Sponge Balls:

• Cut the Sponges: Cut new sponges into approximately 2cm wide.
• Tie the Strips: Gather several strips together and fasten them in the middle to create a ball.
• Prepare the Buckets: Fill them up with water.
• Set Up Your Targets: Choose how you want to set up the targets
• Wall Target: Create a target on a wall. Hoop Target: Set up a hoop or ring to throw sponges through.
• Kids as Targets: Choose one or more kids to be the targets (make sure they’re up for it!).
• Soak the Sponge Balls: Drop the sponge balls into the buckets to absorb the water.
• Start Throwing: Let the kids take turns throwing the wet sponges at the targets.
• Switch It Up: Change up the targets or switch roles to keep the game exciting.

And there you have it - the Sponge Ball Game! Have a blast without the hassle of dealing with popped balloons, and stay cool with this soft, water-soaked alternative.

Homemade Slip ‘n Slide

A DIY Slip 'n Slide is the perfect way to turn your backyard into a splashy playground for children aged 6 and up, especially during the school holidays. With a little creativity and the right materials, you can create a thrilling slide that promises endless fun and excitement. Here’s how to set it up:

What You'll Need:

• 100x10 Foot Roll of Clear Visqueen: Keeps the water cool and prevents it from drying out quickly.
• 10-14 Pool Noodles: Provides cushioning and stability.
• 30-40 Landscape Pins: Secure the edges of the slide.
• Hose with Flowing Water: Keeps the slide slippery.
• Tear-Free Soap: Adds extra slipperiness without the sting of dish soap.

Setup:

1. Lay Out the Visqueen: Spread it across the ground.
2. Secure Edges: Use landscape pins to keep it in place.
3. Add Pool Noodles: Position along the edges for cushioning.
4. Set Up Hose: Keep the water flowing for a slippery slide.
5. Apply Soap: For extra slickness.
6. Slide Away: Enjoy sliding, jumping, and laughing!

This Slip 'n Slide will provide hours of summer fun, filled with excitement and opportunities to make new friends. Kids will love every moment of it! Even though it might take some time to set up, it will turn out to be one of the most fun holiday activities of all.

Incorporating fun, engaging activities into your programs can transform the experience for kids and providers alike. Whether it's a classic game of Hide-and-Seek or a creative Water Balloon Piñata, these ideas are perfect for holiday camps, after-school clubs, and beyond. With a little planning, you can make every session unforgettable, fostering connection, laughter, and lasting memories. Keep the fun rolling and let your activities be the highlight of their day!

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