With the October half-term quickly approaching, excitement for our holiday camps is building! These camps are filled with action-packed days of new experiences, social bonding, and outdoor fun. But before your child jumps headfirst into the adventure, why not use the weekends leading up to half-term to help them get ready for all the fun that lies ahead?

Host a Mini Sports Day: Boost Confidence in Friendly Competition

Our camps involve group games and challenges, and a mini sports day is a fun way to get your child used to the idea of friendly competition. It’s also a great way to get them active and energized ahead of all the outdoor fun they’ll experience at the club.

Set up simple races and games in the garden or local park—think egg-and-spoon races, sack races, or a tug-of-war. If you can, invite some of their friends or neighbours to join in for a full-on sports day vibe.

This activity encourages kids to get comfortable with teamwork and friendly competition, two key aspects of holiday club life. Plus, it gives them a boost of confidence in a playful, low-pressure environment.

Campfire-Style Storytelling: Practice Sharing and Creativity

One of the best parts of holiday clubs is gathering around with new friends and sharing stories, jokes, and experiences. Help your child develop their storytelling skills with a campfire-style evening at home, where imagination and creativity come alive.

In your living room or backyard, create a cosy "campfire" atmosphere with blankets, pillows, and a few snacks. Encourage your child to make up their own stories or share an adventure they’ve had. You can even start with prompts like, “Once upon a time in a magical forest...” to get them going.

Storytelling is a great way for kids to practice sharing their thoughts and ideas, which will help them feel more comfortable connecting with others at the club. Plus, it gets their imagination fired up—perfect for all the creative activities they’ll dive into later.

Craft a Friendship Bracelet: A Creative Icebreaker

Arts and crafts are a huge part of the holiday camp experience, so why not start with a simple project that doubles as a friendship-building tool? Friendship bracelets are fun, creative, and give your child a chance to practice making something personal they can share with new friends.

Gather a few colourful threads or strings and teach your child how to make a simple friendship bracelet. They can make extra to give away or swap at the holiday club, helping break the ice when they meet new kids.

Crafting friendship bracelets gets your child in a creative mood while also giving them a fun, thoughtful way to connect with other children. It’s a simple but meaningful way to encourage social interaction.

Plan a Playdate Adventure: Practice Social Skills

Holiday clubs are all about meeting new people and making friends. Planning a weekend playdate with a few schoolmates or neighbours is a great way to help your child practice their social skills and get used to group activities.

Organise a playdate at the park or even a simple scavenger hunt around your neighbourhood. Let the kids take the lead, working together to solve clues or explore the park as a group.

Group playdates build important social skills like cooperation, communication, and making decisions as a team. It’s also a perfect opportunity to remind your child how to be a good friend, which will come in handy when they’re meeting new people at the club.

Create a “Team Challenge”: Prepare for Collaboration and Teamwork

Our holiday camps are packed with team challenges—think treasure hunts, obstacle courses, and relay races. Give your child a head start by setting up a weekend “team challenge” that mimics the fun collaborative activities they’ll experience at the club.

Create a family challenge or invite friends to join in. You could set up an obstacle course, build a fort together, or complete a puzzle as a team. Make sure everyone has a role, whether it’s being the leader, timekeeper, or cheerleader.

This activity prepares your child for working in a group, building skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork. They’ll feel more confident in team-based activities at the holiday club, knowing how to contribute and play their part.

By spending the weekends before the October half-term holiday engaging in these fun activities, your child will be more than ready for the adventure, creativity, and social excitement that holiday clubs bring. These small but meaningful experiences will help them build confidence, connect with new friends, and dive into the fun with enthusiasm and curiosity.