10 Vacation Care Activity Ideas That Kids Actually Love in 2026 & 2027
Fresh, engaging and practical school holiday activity ideas for OSHC coordinators, vacation care providers and schools across Australia.
Planning an exciting vacation care program isn't always easy. With school holidays approaching, Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) coordinators and holiday program managers face the challenge of creating activities that are engaging, inclusive, affordable and suitable for children of different ages and abilities.
And with many children attending vacation care for multiple days, variety is essential.
Whether you're organising a summer holiday program in Melbourne, planning January activities in Sydney or preparing your OSHC calendar for the year ahead, we've put together 10 vacation care activity ideas for 2027 that can help make your next school holiday program a success.
From hands-on STEM challenges to exciting sports incursions, these activities offer opportunities for children to learn new skills, make friends and have fun.
1. Multi-Sport Incursions and Sports Challenges
Best for: Active play, teamwork and trying something new.
Sports incursions remain a fantastic option for vacation care programs because they combine physical activity, skill development and social interaction.
Rather than relying on traditional sports such as basketball and soccer, consider introducing children to activities they may not have experienced before.
Popular options include:
- Tennis Hot Shots: Modified tennis games, mini rallies and coordination challenges.
- Shuttle Smash Badminton: Fast-paced racquet games that can be delivered indoors.
- MyGolf: Putting challenges, target games and modified golf activities.
- Cricket: Batting, bowling and fielding games inspired by Australia's summer sporting culture.
- Pickleball: A fun and accessible racquet sport that introduces children to a new activity.
Specialist providers such as Fit For Kids Co. can deliver structured sports incursions directly at your vacation care venue, bringing coaches and equipment to your service.
Programming tip: Create a Mini Olympics or Sports Carnival theme, allowing children to rotate through different challenges and earn points for teamwork, effort and participation.
2. STEM Challenges and Science Discovery Days
Best for: Problem-solving, creativity and collaborative learning.
STEM activities are a great way to introduce children to science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on experiences.
You don't necessarily need expensive equipment to create an engaging STEM day.
Try activities such as building bridges from recycled materials, creating balloon-powered cars, designing paper aeroplanes or testing different structures.
For a larger holiday program, consider inviting a specialist science incursion provider to deliver interactive experiments and demonstrations.
Programming tip: Run a team engineering challenge where groups design, build and test their creations. Focus on creativity and problem-solving rather than simply rewarding the winning design.
3. Amazing Race and Outdoor Adventure Challenges
Best for: Teamwork, movement and problem-solving.
Turn your school grounds or vacation care facility into an adventure course with an Amazing Race-style activity day.
Children can work in teams to complete challenges at different stations, including:
- Obstacle courses and movement activities
- Treasure hunts and clue-solving games
- Team puzzles and memory challenges
- Mini sporting challenges
- Nature-based discovery tasks
An Amazing Race theme can be adapted for different ages, making it a flexible choice for mixed-age vacation care groups.
Programming tip: Include a mixture of physical, creative and problem-solving tasks so every child has an opportunity to contribute.
4. Creative Arts and DIY Workshops
Best for: Self-expression, imagination and quieter activity periods.
Not every vacation care activity needs to involve running, jumping or competing.
Creative workshops provide children with an opportunity to explore their imagination, develop fine motor skills and create something they can take home.
Ideas include tie-dye projects, painting, clay modelling, recycled art, jewellery making and designing personalised tote bags.
For summer holiday programs, consider themes such as beach art, colourful summer murals or designing a dream holiday destination.
Programming tip: Offer several creative stations rather than one compulsory activity. This allows children to choose projects that match their interests.
5. Water Games and Summer Splash Activities
Best for: Summer holiday fun and outdoor group activities.
During the warmer December and January holidays, water-based activities can be a popular addition to vacation care programs.
Depending on your venue, facilities, weather and supervision arrangements, consider sponge relay races, water transfer challenges, sprinkler activities or team-based water games.
These activities can provide an enjoyable summer experience without requiring a trip to a swimming pool.
Programming tip: Always assess weather conditions, water safety, supervision requirements and sun protection. Schedule outdoor activities during suitable conditions and have an indoor alternative ready for extreme heat.
6. Cooking and Junior Chef Workshops
Best for: Practical life skills, creativity and teamwork.
Cooking activities give children an opportunity to develop confidence in the kitchen while learning about ingredients, food preparation and healthy eating.
Simple vacation care cooking ideas include:
- Build-your-own mini pizzas
- Colourful fruit skewers
- No-bake energy balls
- Decorate-your-own biscuits
- Fresh summer wraps and sandwiches
Children can work in small groups, practise following instructions and enjoy the satisfaction of creating something themselves.
Programming tip: Offer plant-based and allergy-aware options where appropriate, and confirm food allergies, dietary requirements and safe food-handling procedures before the activity.
7. Indoor Racquet Sports and Games
Best for: Hot weather, rainy days and indoor vacation care programs.
Having a reliable indoor activity plan is especially important during the Australian summer.
Racquet sports are an excellent option because many can be adapted for school halls, gymnasiums and suitable indoor spaces.
Badminton, table tennis and modified racquet challenges can help children develop hand-eye coordination, reaction time and movement skills.
For example, a Shuttle Smash Badminton incursion can introduce children to rallies, racquet control and fun team challenges using modified equipment.
Programming tip: Create an indoor racquet sports festival with skill stations, target games and modified matches, rather than focusing solely on competition.
8. Nature Explorers and Sustainability Activities
Best for: Environmental awareness, curiosity and hands-on learning.
Nature-themed activities can encourage children to explore their surroundings and develop an appreciation for the environment.
Depending on your available outdoor space, activities might include nature scavenger hunts, planting seeds, creating insect-friendly habitats or building art projects from recycled materials.
You could also introduce a sustainability challenge where children work together to design an environmentally friendly school or playground.
Programming tip: Combine nature exploration with a creative project, such as building a miniature garden or designing a recycled-material sculpture.
9. Talent Shows, Drama and Performance Days
Best for: Confidence, creativity and social connection.
A talent show or performance day gives children an opportunity to share their interests and develop confidence in a supportive environment.
Activities could include drama games, group dance routines, comedy sketches, magic tricks, storytelling or a mini talent showcase.
The emphasis should be on participation, encouragement and having fun rather than judging performance ability.
Programming tip: Offer behind-the-scenes roles such as stage design, music selection or presenting, so children who don't want to perform can still participate.
10. Mini Olympics and Team Sports Carnivals
Best for: Whole-group participation, teamwork and active holiday fun.
A Mini Olympics is a great way to bring together multiple activities into one exciting vacation care event.
Rather than focusing on traditional athletics, introduce modified sports and team challenges suitable for children of different ages and abilities.
Your carnival might include tennis target challenges, mini golf putting, cricket throwing games, badminton rallies and obstacle courses.
Children can rotate through stations in small groups, collecting points or completing challenges along the way.
Programming tip: Award recognition for teamwork, persistence, encouragement and fair play, not just sporting performance.
What Makes a Great Vacation Care Incursion?
For OSHC coordinators and holiday program managers, booking an external incursion provider can help introduce specialist activities without requiring an off-site excursion.
When comparing providers, consider:
- Age suitability: Can the activities be adapted for younger and older primary school children?
- Equipment: Does the provider bring the required equipment?
- Space requirements: Can the activity be delivered at your existing venue?
- Session flexibility: Can the program accommodate your group size and timetable?
- Experience: Does the provider have experience working with children in schools and vacation care settings?
- Safety: Are appropriate qualifications, checks, insurance and risk management arrangements in place?
A well-planned incursion should be enjoyable for children while fitting smoothly into your existing holiday program.
Looking for Sports Incursions for Your 2027 Vacation Care Program?
At Fit For Kids Co., we specialise in delivering fun, inclusive and professionally coached sports programs for primary school-aged children.
Working with schools, OSHC providers and community organisations, our team delivers engaging sporting experiences designed to encourage participation, confidence and a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity.
Our sports incursion options include:
- Tennis Hot Shots
- Shuttle Smash Badminton
- MyGolf
- Fit For Cricket
- Pickleball and other selected sports programs
We supply the specialist sporting equipment and experienced coaches, with activities adapted to suit your group and available facilities.
Whether you're planning a one-off incursion, a themed sports day or multiple activities across your vacation care calendar, we'd love to help.
Now welcoming enquiries for 2027 school holiday programs across Melbourne, Victoria and NSW, subject to scheduling and location availability.
Contact Fit For Kids Co.
Email: info@fitforkidsco.com.au
Website: www.fitforkidsco.com.au
Fit For Kids Co. — Sport For Life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best activities for vacation care?
A balanced vacation care program can include sports incursions, STEM workshops, creative arts, outdoor adventures, cooking activities and team challenges. The best mix depends on children's ages, interests and your available facilities.
What activities are suitable for OSHC programs?
Popular OSHC activities include modified sports, arts and crafts, group games, science experiments, cooking and themed activity days. Programs should be adaptable for different ages and abilities.
What is the difference between a vacation care incursion and an excursion?
An incursion involves a provider visiting your school or OSHC venue to deliver an activity. An excursion involves children travelling to another location. Both can offer valuable experiences, depending on the program's needs.
How can I keep children engaged during school holidays?
Offer variety, choice and a balance of active and quieter activities. Including specialist workshops and incursions can introduce children to new experiences and help keep a multi-day holiday program interesting.
Where can I book sports incursions in Melbourne or NSW?
Fit For Kids Co. offers sports incursion enquiries for schools, OSHC services and vacation care programs across Victoria and NSW. Contact info@fitforkidsco.com.au to discuss available sports, dates, group sizes and pricing.






