With the summer holidays just around the corner, it's the perfect time for children’s activity providers to inspire, engage, and build connections with families. And it’s not too late! Longer days and school holidays mean parents are continually searching for ways to keep kids active, learning, and entertained, and your classes or events can be exactly what they need.

We have put together 5 simple, creative ideas to help you plan your summer programme, boost bookings and create a season families will remember.

1. Bring Summer Themes to Life

You may wish to offer themed weeks or days that tie into the summer holiday season. For example:

• Nature Explorers 🍃: Outdoor classes in parks or gardens, with bug hunts or nature crafts.
• Under the Sea 🌊: Ocean-inspired dance, music or art sessions.
• Summer Sports Days ☀️: Fun mini-Olympics or family-friendly tournaments.
• Pirate Adventures 🏴‍☠️: Treasure hunts, map-making and storytelling.
• Summer Carnival 🎳: Dress-up days, mini parades and games.
• Animal Safari 🦁: Wildlife walks or animal mask-making.

Themed sessions make your schedule feel fresh and exciting, giving families a reason to book again and again.

2. Take It Outside

It's a good idea to move classes or workshops outdoors where possible. People enjoy making the most of the warmer weather, and parents love activities that let kids burn off energy in the fresh air.

You can try:

• Storytime picnics 📖
• Garden yoga or outdoor baby classes 🧘
• Park-based sports or adventure games like outdoor obstacle courses 🌳
• Beach or sandpit play sessions (if you’re near the coast) 🏖️
• Mini gardening clubs 🧑‍🌾
• Water play days like safe paddling or splash games 💦

Just remember to plan for shade, hydration and alternative indoor options if the weather turns.

3. Add Family Sessions

If you have capacity, you can invite parents and siblings to join in. Family-friendly events are a brilliant way to strengthen community ties and attract new faces.

You could run:

• Parent-child creative workshops 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Family discos or dance parties 🪩
• Multi-age sports or play sessions 🤸
• Family sing-alongs or music jam sessions 🎶
• Parent-child cooking or baking classes 🧑‍🍳

These shared moments help families bond, and they’ll remember who made it happen.

4. Keep Learning Fun

Help parents bridge the summer learning gap with playful educational activities.

Ideas include:

• Art and craft camps 🎨
• Junior photography or film-making workshops 📸
• Drama or music summer schools 🎭
• Eco workshops such as recycling crafts or upcycling projects ♻️
• Fun maths or puzzle clubs disguised as games! 🧮
• Mini language camps 📚

Keep sessions short and flexible so families can fit them around holidays.

5. Host a Summer Showcase

Round off the summer with a special event to celebrate what children have learned. A simple show, exhibition or mini-festival is a lovely way to:

• Let children share their skills
• Bring families together
• Encourage word-of-mouth about your activities
• Offer early-bird tickets to secure numbers and create excitement. 🎟️

💡 Top Tip: Make booking easy

However you decide to plan your summer programme, make it simple for families to find, book and pay online. Use clear session names, fun images, child-friendly booking forms and flexible ticket options, such as group or family tickets, to help parents choose what’s best for them.

📣 Ready to Fill Your Summer Schedule?

If you run children’s activities, Bookwhen can help you organise your schedule, manage bookings and keep parents in the loop, so you spend less time on admin and more time inspiring little ones.

Are you searching for online booking management software? Discover how Bookwhen can simplify your bookings. Sign up for a free trial, or reach out via live chat or email to learn more! 🕺