I (James) had a Nutty’s-based revelation this week and it was all to do with THEMES. Not the various party themes we offer at Nutty’s (we’ve blogged about that before - check the archives). Instead, one might call it a Daily Theme or Structural Theme or Planning Theme.

I’ll stop waffling and explain…

It was early in the morning and I was on my way for day two of Nutty’s Summer Holiday Club 2024. I was travelling in with Verity, my co-leader for the day (who also happens to be my housemate), and I came up with an idea as a plan for the day ahead.

Just to be clear: a day at Nutty’s Holiday Club is meticulously planned both in terms of logistics and the daily timetable. But within this structure, there is always plenty of wiggle room to ‘go with the flow’. For example, a particular game might be popular amongst the children attending that day so we’ll make time for that. Or perhaps someone might have an idea for arts and crafts which sounds doable so we’ll do our best to accommodate it. Each day is broken down into lots of manageable chunks and it moves so quickly that it is often over before it has begun!

Anyway, back to my epiphany on the train. We had just pulled out of Balham when I suggested to Verity, quite casually at first, that that particular day should be Olympics themed. After all, the opening ceremony of Paris 2024 was happening that very evening. We chatted a bit more about it and by the time we were rolling into West Norwood we had fleshed out a whole day of Olympic based activities. 

We got to South London Theatre, set up, welcomed the children as they arrived, did the usual first hour of ‘free play’ to kick things off and, at around 9.40, we tidied up. What followed was a thing of wonder!

We played some Olympic sports (some real, some made up and some just bizarre). The daily drama session was centred around devising an Opening Ceremony. Our outdoor session at the park involved an Athletes Parade where some of the children of mixed nationalities were proud to represent the home country of one of their parents. This was followed by a series of hilarious and wacky races! By lunchtime, we had christened our very unique version of the Olympic Games the ‘Silly Olympics’ - perfect for a day at Nutty’s. For arts and crafts in the afternoon, the children were tasked with creating a poster for the Silly Olympics which included a depiction of their own made up (and very silly) game. 

By the end of the day, we had a medal ceremony where every child was presented with a real (plastic - ssshh!) gold medal with the Chariots of Fire theme blasting out in the background. What fun! What larks! What complete silliness! It was a great day.

So, there lies the fruits of mine and Verity’s revelation. But why was it such a revelation?

For me, it is all to do with how organically the day unfolded with our chosen theme running through it. 

Having a theme - and a topical one at that - to centre the day around was as exciting as it was useful. Don’t get me wrong - our Holiday Clubs very often have a theme to them, typically to do with the time of year. We’ve blogged before about the thematic mileage you can get out of the October Half Term Holiday Club (Halloween, Bonfire Night, autumn, pumpkins etc). Easter Holiday Club offers all things Spring and eggs galore. And the May Half Term Holiday Club can vibe on ushering in the summer months: flowers, holidays, playing in the sun.

But the Summer Holiday Club brings with it an additional challenge - in a nutshell: its length! Six whole weeks of it! Keeping the kids entertained for that period of time - holiday club or no holiday club - is a tall order! When we were in the park for free play in the afternoon of Silly Olympics Day, I got chatting to a couple of regular Nutty’s parents who had brought their children to the park. “It’s only day two and I’m already exhausted” said one. “Trying to keep them busy for six weeks is so expensive” said the other. Well perhaps this is where a Daily Theme comes in to play.

I (James) do not have kids myself - an important thing to declare, I reckon, before brazenly suggesting ideas of how you can keep your kids busy. But as a devoted uncle, experienced children’s entertainer, and a regular leader of a holiday childcare facility, I am confident that I know a thing or two about stuff that will keep kids occupied. And I think a Daily Theme for the next six weeks of, what at times may feel, an interminable summer break, might just be your best friend. 

So, let’s briefly explore what some of these Daily Themes might be…

Topical - these themes really draw in the children’s interest; something that is happening right now makes their imagination particularly alive and responsive. Themes could include the Olympics (as outlined above), the Euros or the Royal Family.

A Broad theme can also be really useful as there is so much scope and a variety of directions. Perhaps try Animals, Holidays, Food, London or Sport. 

A Classic theme might include Pirates, Space, Dinosaurs or Super Heroes - all pretty typical interests for children so there’s plenty of content and ideas for games/arts and crafts online.

Finally, let’s go Niche: The Circus, for example! This offers so much in terms of imagination and has great performative elements if they’re in to drama and design opportunities for arts and crafts. It could also explore areas of magic, animals, gymnastics etc.

The Circus! Now that’s got me thinking…I may have just found tomorrow’s theme for Nutty’s Holiday Club!

Have a great summer, everyone! And don’t forget to try out a Daily Theme or two; it’ll do so much of the work for you that you’ll wonder why you haven’t done it before!