By Damian Murphy, Experienced PE Teacher
Introduction
As the holidays approach, we know exactly what’s running through your mind: How on earth do we keep dozens of high-energy kids entertained, active, and engaged for a full day without everyone melting down? Excursions are great, but the logistics? The risk assessments, the transport bookings, the strict headcounts, and the unpredictable Sydney weather can make them a major logistical headache.
That’s where incursions come to the rescue! You get all the excitement of a special event brought straight to your service, saving you time, stress, and a whole lot of paperwork.
To help you map out your next holiday program, we’ve put together 5 fantastic, high-energy incursion ideas that Sydney OOSH kids absolutely love.
1. Soccer World Cup Tournament
Soccer is always a crowd-pleaser, but turning it into a structured “World Cup” tournament takes the excitement to a whole new level. Kids are split into different countries, complete with team points, friendly rivalries, and a festival-like atmosphere.
Coordinator Tip: Look for a provider that includes fun opening ceremonies and skill-building mini-games so that every age group—from Kindergarten to Year 6—feels included and capable.
Why OOSH kids love it: It feels like a massive, professional sporting event. Because it focuses on teamwork, fair play, and fun, even the kids who don’t usually play weekend soccer get swept up in the team spirit.
2. Wet & Splash (Summer Only)
When the Sydney summer heat hits, keeping kids active outside can be tough. A “Wet & Splash” day is the ultimate solution. Think sponge relay races, water-balloon launching, bucket challenges, and giant water-slide games that keep everyone moving while staying beautifully cool.
Coordinator Tip: Make sure to put “Pack a towel, rashie, and a full change of clothes” in big, bold letters on your vacation care program and permission forms!
Why OOSH kids love it: Let’s face it—kids love any excuse to get drenched! It turns a hot summer day into a giant, action-packed water park right on your school oval.
3. Action-Packed Archery Tag
If you want an incursion that will get your older, harder-to-please kids genuinely excited, Archery Tag is an absolute winner. Don’t worry—it’s completely safe! Kids use special, lightweight bows and foam-tipped arrows to tag opponents and knock out targets in a dodgeball-style format.
Coordinator Tip: This works brilliantly either outdoors on a flat grass field or indoors in a large school hall using inflatable bunkers for hiding spots.
Why OOSH kids love it: It feels like stepping inside a video game or a movie. It combines the thrill of dodgeball and paintball but without any of the bruises, making it incredibly fun and action-packed.
4. Mega Mixed Games Day
Can’t decide on just one sport? A Mixed Games day is the perfect solution. This incursion features a fast-paced rotation of classic playground favourites and unique sports, from dodgeball and capture the flag to modified cricket or ultimate frisbee.
Coordinator Tip: This is the ultimate “safety net” incursion for your program. It’s highly adaptable, meaning the coaches can easily pivot the games depending on the energy levels and age mix of the kids on the day.
Why OOSH kids love it: The variety keeps boredom completely at bay. If a child isn’t a huge fan of one particular game, they know a completely different, exciting activity is just 15 minutes away.
5. The Ultimate Amazing Race
Bring the thrill of the hit TV show straight to your service! An “Amazing Race” incursion challenges kids to work in teams to solve riddles, crack codes, and complete fun physical challenges scattered around your OOSH grounds to find the next clue.
Coordinator Tip: This is an excellent team-building activity for the first week of vacation care, as it helps kids bond, make new friends, and learn to work together early on.
A Quick Checklist for OOSH Directors Before Booking:
Before you lock in your active incursions, just keep these quick steps in mind to make your life easier:
Space requirements: Double-check whether your chosen activities need a flat grass area, a concrete court, or an indoor hall so you can secure the school facilities in advance.
Check the credentials: Ensure the provider has current Public Liability Insurance and that all staff have verified NSW Working With Children Checks (WWCC).
Ask for a Risk Assessment: A professional provider should be able to email you a comprehensive, ready-made risk assessment to save you time.
Let’s Get Moving!
Planning vacation care can be exhausting, but choosing the right active incursions makes your job so much easier. Your educators get to step back and supervise while professional coaches bring the energy, the gear, and the structure.
Want to make your next vacation care program the best one yet? Get in touch with the team at Murphy Sports today! We specialize in bringing high-energy, inclusive, and stress-free active incursions straight to Sydney OOSH centres. Let’s get your kids moving!
