Scavenger hunt
A great way to encourage children outside is to organise a scavenger hunt. Ask them to explore a particular area while collecting or photographing items from a list. For example, at the park, they could gather specific leaves or take pictures of items such as a certain bench or the bandstand.
In a more urban setting, pupils could search for details in the local environment, such as a statue or clock face, or look for a set number of items of a specific colour or shape. Explain the rules clearly. Set a fee for participation and when school starts back, collect the items (or images) and award a prize.
Sponsored family walk
Raise funds while providing families with an inexpensive day out and a chance to get together. Choose a scenic route that is safe and accessible, and adjust the distance to match everyone’s abilities and fitness levels. Encourage families to meet up and walk together.
Propose a specific day and route, inviting children to wear something distinctive, perhaps in school colours to help them recognise one another. Collect sponsorship through an online page. Need ideas for walking routes? The Slow Ways website provides details on distance and elevation.
Raise £20.25 in 2025
Ask each family to raise £20.25 during half-term week. Or if this amount seems too high, suggest they complete it by the end of the school year. Share a list of fundraising ideas and give the initiative a catchy title, such as ‘Thrive in 2025’ or ‘Strive for 2025’. If they choose to go down the sponsorship route, children can participate in activities such as cycling or walking 25km, shooting 25 goals, skipping for 25 minutes or swimming 25 lengths. Parents should discuss options with their children to decide which activity is right for them.
Sponsored read
Literacy is at the core of education, and teachers will be delighted if the PTA integrates more reading into half-term week. If families are planning to visit relatives or going on holiday, suggest they find new reading spots, such as on the train, in the park or at the beach. Encourage parents to restart bedtime reading if it has fallen by the wayside (or delegate the task to a family member) so adults and children can take turns. Depending on age and abilities, pupils can get sponsored by the page, by the book or by the amount of time they spend reading.
Matchbox challenge
A small and perfectly formed half-term activity. Source standard-size matchboxes from a craft supplies shop and ask pupils to fill them with as many different items as possible. The children must also write an inventory and not duplicate any items. Ask pupils to collect sponsorship or charge a small fee to enter. Secure a few fun prizes for the most items collected, best-decorated matchbox and most unusual item. Write a few rules to discourage anything too small (such as one coffee granule) or too icky!
- Read more on how to run a matchbox challenge.
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